Sportscoach UK, the lead body in coaching, has identified that of the 1.2 million coaches currently working in the UK, 80% are volunteers. The UK Action Plan for Coaching set the target of working towards coaching as a profession between 2006 and 2016. In order to achieve this, the education and training of coaches will play a vital role. According to SkillsActive, Sportscoach UK's view is that Foundation Degrees will recognise the importance of the vocational nature of coaching, widen opportunities and provide a collaborative approach to coach education.
Why study Sports Coaching at Chester?
The Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching is designed for individuals already working, or wishing to start working, in the area of Sports Coaching. It is a flexible programme for students wishing to study part time or full time.
The full- and part-time approach combines face-to-face tuition at the University with periods of work-based learning. Work based learning is an important element of the programme and modules are designed so that you are able to use knowledge and skills developed and used within your place of work or via work experience.
The Sports Coaching programme recognises the need to be appropriately qualified in order to obtain meaningful work related opportunities, and students are prepared for professional recognition (by 'First for Sport'). If you already possess relevant awards and have the appropriate experience you may wish to take up the option of following a management route through the programme.
Where individuals need to undertake coaching industry qualifications (UKCC awards), or engage in the process of professionally updating, they will be provided with the opportunity to gain places on appropriate awards/workshops. Under these circumstances, students will be required to make a financial contribution towards the process of training, assessment and professional registration associated with such an undertaking.
Features:
The course comprises a series of modules which develop and assess key practical and professional skills, (i.e. research and study skills, communication and IT skills), along with those that develop knowledge and understanding relevant to the workplace, but which also serve to prepare students to engage in further academic study should they seek to progress to Year 3 of our BA (Hons) Sports Coaching (Top Up) programme.
Work based learning is seen as crucial preparation for the industry and features as an integral part of the course programme. Students are required to be actively involved in the negotiation and securing of extended placements in the industry which they must undertake for a period of 10 weeks (between January and May) of each academic year. Guided reflection is encouraged through tutors and/or mentors in the workplace, in order that students are able to learn from their experience in both an applied and academic sense.
Programme Structure
Level 4 (Year 1)
Introduction to Continuous Professional Development
This module will introduce students to appropriate Continuous Professional Development (CPD), through the development of appropriate study skills. It is anticipated that this will maximise success, both in their chosen programme and in the workplace.
Students will be introduced to key transferable skills such as communication, problem solving, numeracy and IT proficiency, and will be encouraged to reflect on personal challenges and strengths in this respect. The module will introduce students to personal development planning, through the use of the IBIS-based e-portfolio, as well as the concept of life-long learning.
Practical Sports Coaching Skills
This module builds upon students' knowledge from UKCC level 1 coaching awards. It refines and develops the students' ability to plan, deliver and reflect upon the aims and content of coaching sessions. Through this process students will analyse their coaching methods and move towards the development of their own coaching philosophy.
Safe and Effective Coaching Practice
In establishing community coaching environments for a diversity of participants, the Coach needs to be aware of the many and sometimes complex potential pitfalls. This module provides students with the knowledge of both legal and ethical pitfalls and the procedures that can be applied in order to minimise problems occurring. It is anticipated that students will consolidate and develop knowledge gained from level 1 Coaching Awards.
Learning at Work (Sports Coaching) I
SkillsActive research suggests opportunities for authentic and relevant work- based learning in both the sports coaching sector may be limited for students who have not gained a level 1 certificate in coaching prior to their work-based or placement learning. This module will provide an opportunity for students from the Foundation degree in Sports Coaching to undertake a level 1 National Governing Body award (United Kingdom Coaching Certificate). The UKCC is the benchmark for all coaches and is an endorsement of sport specific coach education.
Students will then undertake coaching-related work-based learning for academic credit. The purpose of the work-based learning is to provide a context in which students examine their own abilities, qualities, behaviours and professional development within the working environment. It enables them to link theory and practice by relating what they have learnt in undertaking a relevant vocational qualification to work that they can undertake for an employer. The distinctive features of this module are an emphasis on explicit links between skills, knowledge and qualities developed by students through the vocational qualification and work-based learning.
Anatomy and Physiology
This module is intended to provide core knowledge and understanding of anatomy and exercise physiology which students can apply to their professional activities in areas of fitness and health, and sports coaching. It is designed to prepare students who have little or no background in the discipline, but also to challenge and stimulate students who already have some experience, knowledge and application, for further study and vocational application. This module is in the physical activity strand of the Foundation Degrees and is essential for the basic "product knowledge", namely the physical systems of the human body that support the activities which students' future clients might undertake. An understanding of the effects of exercise on the body is important in establishing safe and effective activity/coaching sessions.
Motivation and Behaviour Change
Coaches and fitness industry professionals are fundamentally concerned with increasing sport/exercise participation generally and more specifically with helping their participants/clients to maintain their involvement and maximise their enjoyment and potential. An understanding of what motivates people generally, and individuals specifically, is key to being able to ensure that they remain motivated and committed to coaching/exercise programmes. This module aims to develop such an understanding in students and to develop their ability to consider how positive/adaptive behaviours can be maintained, whilst negative/maladaptive behaviours may be challenged and motivation re-discovered.
Events Management in Practice
This module examines the events operations cycle and its effective management in the context of the events industry. This will include the business operations cycle and transformation process in the context of events management; promotion, merchandising and sales techniques; budgeting, cash flow, profit and loss and break even; demand management; capacity management; facility location, design, layout and management; risk assessment, health and safety and other legal issues; managing quality. A specific aim is to identify and begin to develop the skills necessary in the events management and related industries.
Level 5 (Year 2)
The Effective Professional
This module will enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the management, monitoring and evaluation of processes and people within the workplace. This module enables students to demonstrate their ability to undertake an individual investigation with direct relevance to their professional practice.
Coaching Policy and Agencies
Coaching has gained in status in recent years and its infrastructure is increasingly recognised as being crucial as a support mechanism for athletes, coaches and NGBs. This module provides students with an understanding of this infrastructure and the policies at play therein.
Positive Communication and Counselling Skills
One of the primary aims of the Sports Coach/fitness industry professional is to promote positive change in the behaviour and attitudes of people and organisations and facilitate opportunities for people to participate, perform and excel in sport. Thus, a desirable competence of the sports coaching/fitness industry professional is the ability to listen and communicate effectively. This module is designed to introduce, explore and develop students' awareness of, and practice of, counselling, interpersonal and reflective skills that can be utilised by individuals in their respective professions in the future.
Managing Coaching Environments
Recent developments in Government sport policy and its impact on school, club and community have created a range of contexts within which coaches operate. This module provides students with an opportunity to understand these various environments, the strategies of key organisations involved and the differing and potentially conflicting roles of coaches and other professionals.
Learning at Work (Sports Coaching) II
This module will provide an opportunity for students from the Foundation degree in Sports Coaching to undertake a level 2 National Governing Body award (United Kingdom Coaching Certificate) or alternatively a range of industry relevant continuing professional development short courses (e.g. sports coach UK workshops) of an equivalent standard in terms of learning hours. It will be difficult, if not impossible, for a student to gain work-based learning that involves coaching independently during a programme, and employment as a coach on completion without holding a relevant level 2 National Governing Body awards and/or additional industry related qualifications. The UKCC is the benchmark for all coaches and is an endorsement of sport specific coach education.
Students will then undertake coaching-related work-based learning for academic credit. The purpose of the work-based learning is to provide a context in which students examine their own abilities, qualities, behaviours and professional development within the working environment. It enables them to link theory and practice by relating what they have learnt in undertaking a relevant vocational qualification(s) to work that they can undertake for an employer. The distinctive features of this module are an emphasis on explicit links between skills, knowledge and qualities developed by students through the vocational qualification and work-based learning.
Exercise Programming
In order to plan successful physical activity/coaching programmes, collection and analysis of information (in consultation with the client/athlete) is vital. This module is about collecting, analysing and communicating information that is appropriate to encouraging adherence to a fixed term programme of physical activity sessions. The module also considers the implications of athlete development (growth, development, maturity, specialisation etc.) as appropriate.
Event Planning, Management and Evaluation
This module aims to identify and evaluate the key elements in the events planning process including; project planning; effective communication, teamwork and decision making; risk assessment; financial management; facility layout, design and management; sponsorship, sales, merchandising, pricing and ticketing; managing quality events; legal issues - licensing, health and safety; Total Quality Management; customer service quality; determining and measuring quality provision.
Students work in groups to plan and deliver a relevant event and produce a critical appraisal of various elements of an actual event, from concept to legacy.
