A United Kingdom Coaching Certificate Update

An announcement by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been made to implement a National Coaching Certificate. Initially twenty-two sports were identified to support the development of the UKCC. From these twenty-two sports, Athletics, Cricket, Rowing, Rugby Union, Swimming and Triathlon have been fast-tracked with support from sportscoach UK. A monitoring and evaluation process was implemented to ensure the best possible working models have been made available for the remaining sports.

sportscoach UK intends to progress a model where quality coaching is regarded as vital to the development of sport and individuals. CoachingTayside & Fife believes the announcement signals a significant step towards the improvement of Coaching Qualifications and National Governing Body Programmes. The development and progress of the UKCC goes a long way to building links between schools and clubs. The pathway is crucial to the success of the National Active Schools Programme.

As a major component of Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland, a broad selection of transferable Core Skills, have been identified within the UKCC endorsement process. Information Technology (IT), Numeracy, Problem Solving and Working With Others, will assist in the development of coaches to become fully active, responsible and employable members of society (Further information is available from the SQA website www.sqa.org.uk).
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It is essential CoachingTayside & Fife support this vital initiative, which caters for coaches’ needs within a regional and national context along with assisting to develop the framework at a local level. The SportTayside & Fife Sports Partnership hopes to satisfy the demand for quality coaches and the new structure enhances the delivery of sport in the region.

Case Study - Sports Specific UKCC Development Update

Since the government made the announcement, significant progress has been made. In particular, Scottish Rugby is now in a position where they can pilot a UKCC Level 2 in Scotland. The development of the course has provided a new nationally recognised qualification.

In conjunction with the National Source Group, SQA and First4Sport, Scottish Rugby has produced Candidate Pack and now has clearance to use modified assessment material developed by the National Source Group along with being registered as an Approved Centre for Delivery of SQA qualifications. They also have Specific Award Approval for delivery of the National Progression Award in the Coaching of Rugby Union UKCC Level 1 and 2.

Learning resources have been designed by the National Source Group at level 1,2, and 3 and branded with the SQA Logo. The Rugby Union Level 1 and 2 courses have been endorsed in England and are currently under examination for endorsement in Scotland by sportscoach UK.

Scottish Rugby will also act as the Approved Centre for Cricket Scotland in their Pilot course of UKCC Level 1 and 2 in Coaching Cricket.

The Scottish Executive and sportscotland have encouraged National Governing Bodies to sign up to the UKCC programme, but have yet to devise a national plan to sustain the development of UKCC education programmes. English and Welsh candidates can access funding through Higher Education institutions, therefore have been able to deliver courses in advance at significantly less cost per candidate.

On a positive note, Scottish Rugby has been instrumental in the implementation of the UKCC programme. This has been achieved by working in partnership with the UKCC Scotland Pilot Group, UKCC Scotland Task Group along with hosting key events including the UKCC Scotland Forum. Scottish Rugby has also worked closely with sportscotland, cricketscotland, along with the SQA, to ensure the pilot process will guide and progress many other sports in Scotland.