Coaching and Youth Development Policy

The following lays down a draft for the SFCA Coaching and Youth Development Policy.

The policy will take the SFCA into a new area of development, ensuring the future of coarse angling within Scotland whilst encouraging deeper and more secure links to the public and local communities.

The SFCA will initially take an active role in the setting up of the policy and running of it, whilst in the future, once the policy framework is well established with all levels of coaches, and sufficient resources, the SFCA will take a less active role in the management of the policy.

The SFCA will however still be a key player within the running of the policy in so much that it will oversee the various aspects and improve and adapt the policy to the changing situations in the future.

AIMS

1. To establish a coaching structure
2. Enable active training for coaches
3. Ensure adequate funding and sponsorship
4. Create a base for the future of coaching within coarse angling
5. Ensure the safety of youths on courses
6. Establish a concise structure for youth training
7. Layout ground rules for the safe locations of courses
8. General management of the policy

K Armstrong

SFCA Coaching and Development Officer

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Coaching development covers a variety of subjects, which are designated for the development of the coaches, not for the training or coaching of anglers. Coaching development will be used to assist coaches in gaining the skills necessary to teach and assess those whom they teach.

The selection of coaches will be determined by an interview of those who volunteer to be coaches. This will generally be conducted in the first instance by the NFA, for acceptance to attend their course held at Robaston College, Derbyshire.

Eventually the interviews will be held by the SFCA, once there are a suitable number of qualified people within the SFCA to achieve a high standard of candidate selection. This will only be possible once the third level of coach is achieved.

A suitable candidate will be one who: -

1. Is honest and reliable, and will be willing to undergo a character assessment. With the possibility of a search under the police criminal justice act.
2. Have the ability to adapt and relate to people of all ages, with a sympathetic approach to those under their guidance.
3. Be an accomplished and knowledgeable angler of some talent, with the ability to learn to teach others.

The training programme will initially be to attend and successfully pass the NFA coaching course held at Robaston College. The course lasts for 2.5 days starting Friday afternoon through to Sunday evening, with assessments of the individuals attending throughout the weekend.

Later stages of training will include attendance on a recognised course for teaching teachers, to learn to teach others to be entry-level coaches.

Initially it is expected that the SFCA will approach the Sportscotland for funding for the angler(s) to attend courses with the NFA.

If this application is not successful then alternative applications will be made to the lottery funds and local councils (relative to the locations of each potential coach). Another form would be to approach large local and national companies like supermarket chains, petrol industry and banks for sponsorship, which could be used in conjunction with sportsmatch.

The sponsorship funds will be used solely to get angler(s) through the various levels of qualifications required to get to the different levels of coach.

Initially there will be what will be determined `entry level coaches`, these will be based within clubs and be used to teach local youngsters via an agreed course structure.

Further to this level there will be area coaches, also within clubs but not necessarily running courses, which will have achieved a second level coaching qualification and will be used to assist the entry level coaches in course structure and planning. They will be a direct link between the entry level and the third level coaches.

The third level will consist of probably no more than three `top coaches`, again within member clubs but will mainly be a point of contact, who should have successfully completed and passed the Professional Coach/Anglers course or another similar course. One of who will be the international coach, the others (national coaches) will coordinate and manage all the area and entry-level coaches.

The final structure may be shown as follows: -

The entry-level coaches will mainly be generalist coaches, but there may be situations where more specialist coaches are required, ie. Within the carp group or pike anglers club.

Initially the courses will be held at Robaston College, Derbyshire under the instruction of the NFA. Given time and experience of the structure of those courses the courses will eventually be moved to a location within Scotland, as yet to be determined.

The potential coaches attending Robaston College will, if successful will achieve a City and Guilds certificate C25 (Coaching individuals award), also the NFA coaching certificate which accompanies the course.

It is proposed that there will be one coach located in the North East (north of the Forth Estuary), one in the South East (south of the Forth Estuary) and two in the West of Scotland (Glasgow) area, with more coaches being sought as the scheme develops.

Youth development again covers a variety of subjects, which are designed to aid the teaching and coaching of new junior anglers in the various aspects of coarse angling. It covers the structure of the coaching courses and the means to achieve a generally acceptable level of proficiency of all those who partake of the courses.

Coaching courses (structure)

The probable course structure would be one based on the NFA kingfisher courses. Detailed in annex A.

For each youngster attending the course there must be a parental acceptance form submitted, these will be given out on the first evening of the course. They should be completed by the parent and handed over to the instructor by the end of the first evening where practicable. If the youngster has attended on their own, then they must produce the acceptance form at the start of the next evening duly completed by their parental guardian. A form similar to that below may be used, with the instructor filling in the course details, location, time, duration and youngsters name.

Age groups

The age groups for the youth courses would be 10 – 16 years. It is felt that anyone younger may not have the necessary attention span or ability to grasp the variety of subjects being taught. These ages are only a guide whereas local/entry level coaches should be able to determine the ability of any youngster wishing to attend the courses and as such would be down to that coaches` decision.

Sponsorship/funding

As above under coaching development, but the onus of the funding would be to ensure the courses could be sustained and available free to those attending. The funds would therefore be used to purchase equipment and pay hall rentals, as well as water levies where necessary. Also to supply a certificate of achievement, for those successfully completing the courses.

There is also a possibility of enhancing the courses by using the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. There may be a source of funding if the scheme went in this direction.

The choice of locations for the courses will be dependant on the location of the coach taking the course. Probable locations would include Community halls, Church halls, Schools and places of that nature, there will also be the need for at least one of the classes to be held at a water venue, this should also be included when choosing the course location so as to ensure that there is minimal time wasted on those days. The choice of location must take into consideration the travelling and safety of those attending, also comfort facilities ie toilets and washing facilities.

There is also the need to ensure that there are sufficient emergency facilities at the location, whether for fire, first aid etc.

The choice of location will be down to the individual coach who is responsible for ensuring the safety of those attending. At the start of each lesson the coach must ensure that all attending are familiar with the emergency procedures.

Each coach should be covered by public liability insurance, via the supporting club. This will be used to cover any individual attending the course in case of injury during the course.

Each coach holding a course will need to ensure that the supporting club contacts their insurance company, prior to the commencement of the course, with details of numbers and relevant extended fees for those attending the course to ensure appropriate cover. This will ensure that each individual attending or participating in the course are covered by the policy. It may cover the individuals whilst travelling to and from the location, dependant on insurance cover taken out by the club.

Each potential coach will be required to undergo a check via SCRO (Scottish Criminal Records Office). Only successful checked candidates will then be nominated to attend training courses. Currently there is a charge of £10 for each check carried out. Currently only volunteer organisations are exempt from the charge, this however may change in mid 2001, when the Scottish executive will try and extend this to all clubs and organisations dealing with children or vulnerable adults.

Eventually each individual who has contact with or sole charge of children or vulnerable adults will be required to have a SCRO check carried out.

The SFCA has a checked SFCA SCRO Officer who will be the point of contact for all checks by member clubs. The reason behind this is that the SCRO will not accept checks from independent clubs. All checks must be submitted to SCRO by a governing body.

General

Through sponsorship and local clubs, the use of posters placed in tackle shops and articles in local and national press, also the use of local radio should all be used to their full potential to advertise courses being held.

It should be noted that any sponsor of courses are given full credit when advertising campaigns are undertaken, ensuring that the sponsor is noted on all posters, and mentioned in any press release.

Management of funds

The management of any funds will be via the SFCA treasurer, who will ensure any sponsorship or funding is allocated to the coaching/development account and all requests for funds are made via the Coaching and Development Committee (CDC) and agreed for coaching development activities, such as sending potential coaches on training courses.

Application information and assistance for funds will be given to each coach for each scheme or course that is to be run. The SFCA CDC will assist in the application to the relevant authority. Such applications would be used to fund the running of courses and the purchase of equipment. On completion of each course the coaches must present all receipts for any funds used, this will include all equipment bought, so as to assess the level of equipment and funding required for future courses.

Each year the SFCA treasurer will draw up the accounts and notify the CDC of any balance and a concise list of all income and expenditure for the account.

Management of coaches

The management of the coaches ultimately lies with the SFCA CDC; these tasks may be subbed out to the national or area coach levels, each level reporting back to the CDC at regular intervals.

Any complaints or unusual circumstances will be overseen and dealt with by the SFCA CDC and when necessary in conjunction with the SFCA MC. Where appropriate actions will be taken.

The SFCA CDC will also investigate which coaches are willing to attend upgrade courses and assist in the allocation of resources to the national and area coaches.

ANNEXE A

To do before course:

Arrange publicity/handouts/booking - parental consent forms/book suitable water for bankside assessment. (Booking/parental consent form to include statement that a suitable adult can/will accompany participant for bank-side assessment on Session 5.)

Lesson 1: Introduction to Coarse Angling

(NOTE. Warn of end of lesson test - 20 questions - need 15/20 correct to carry on the course - OPTIONAL) Issue participants with A4 ring binder or folder for handouts and notes, possibly have pens or pencils available.

1. Define: Why do we go fishing? What is "coarse angling" (excludes sea fish. salmon, trout, grayling)?
2. Need copies of rod licenses, club permits, byelaws, discuss close season, bait/fishing restrictions etc.
3. Water safety - separate handout. NFA Anglers Waterside Safety Code.
4. Waterside Code - separate handout.
5. Conservation and pollution - separate handouts. NFA Nylon and Litter Code. Pollution Patrol Card.

(Topics a-e should take about 15 minutes)

6. Water: notes and acetates provided - (about 15 minutes)
7. Fish: notes and acetates provided - (about 30 minutes)
8. Test: (OPTIONAL) 20 questions - simple choice of three answers. Must get 15 correct - given "MINNOW AWARD"

(To be marked for start of next session) (about 30 minutes)

If time available, have short general question and answer session.

(You will need a selection of rods, reels, line on spools, hooks, hook tier, floats, weights and other accessories as listed. Remember to count items in and out)

a. Rods: notes and acetates provided - (about 10 minutes)

b. Reels: notes and acetates provided - (about 10 minutes)

c. Line: (covered in reels section)

d. Hooks: various literature plus samples of types and sizes –

use of hook tier - tying hooks/knots. (about 20 minutes)

e. Floats: notes and acetates provided - (about 15 minutes)

f. Weights: notes and acetates provided - (about 15 minutes)

g. Accessories (about 10 minutes)

(You will need a selection of rods, whips reels line hooks weights etc, from last lesson)

a. Float Rigs (about 15 minutes)

b. Ledger Rigs notes and acetates provided - (about 15 minutes)

c. Pole/whip Rigs pupils make whip terminal tackle on winder to use in Lesson 5 -(about 45 minutes)

d. Plumbing diagrams or acetates available - (about 5 minutes)

e. Arrangement of tackle around you on the bankside - simulation

(about 10 minutes)

Lesson 4: Bait/Groundbait followed by Written Test

(You will obviously need as great a selection of bait/groundbait as possible - a little of each)

a. Maggots (about 5 minutes)

b/c. Worms/bloodworms (about 5 minutes)

d. Bread etc (about 10 minutes)

e. Seeds etc (about 5 minutes)

f. Specials (about 5 minutes)

g. Bait/fish/water (about 10 minutes)

h. Info re bankside session (about 5 minutes)

Written multiple choice test - 30 minutes - 25 questions - need 20 correct to pass = 80%.

90% = distinction

Each participant will need the following:

Whip/terminal rigs/disgorger/landing net/plumbing weights.

(Extra items can be made available and necessary items can be borrowed/shared between participants)

Questions for each participant will need to be prepared beforehand, especially those who had test results below 80%. No actual results given at this stage

Instructors may be able to obtain local club to award club membership to successful participants - perhaps local club "official" can attend to give short presentation of what membership offers and present club permits

Local club or tackle dealer may "Sponsor" participants with simple but essential tackle kits.

List of "big names" may be available via Dick Clegg/NFA

Education Officers. (February 1993)