As a coach it is important that you keep up to date with latest developments to ensure you are providing the right environment for those that you coach. Whether you are new to coaching or have been coaching for many years it is just as important to keep abreast of any new developments that are happening in coaching.

There are many things you can do to improve your coaching ability and knowledge, this is known as Continuous Professional Development (CPD). Courses leading to qualifications are essential and prove extremely beneficial but this does not mean that you have to keep attending new levels of courses as there are many other things that a coach can do as well. CPD could be

•  Attending one off workshops or seminars;
•  Borrow coaching books, journals or the latest coaching research that is relevant to your sport;
•  Visit websites of coaching organisations or for sports that you are interested in;
•  Make contact with other coaches and swap ideas;
•  Observe other coaches and ask other coaches to observe you.

As well as achieving a National Governing Body qualification in your chosen sport you may wish to further supplement your qualifications by adding a generic qualification that is offered by other coaching organisations. A list of these organisations and courses can be found by clicking on the following link - Coaching Wales / Other Courses

Mentoring

Coaching as a profession is evolving and the opportunity for coaches to improve their knowledge and skills in ways other than official qualifications is needed. Mentoring will therefore become increasingly important.

Mentoring can prove an excellent way to develop as a coach and enables an individual to follow in the path of a more experienced and successful coach who is able to pass on knowledge, experience and open doors to otherwise out-of-reach opportunities. This will ensure that the individual coach is able to achieve their full potential. Mentoring is a powerful tool in the education and development of sports coaches at all levels.

The UKCC places an increased emphasis on mentoring and it is likely that this will become central to the training of coaches in future.

To find out more about opportunities to be mentored contact the National Governing Body for your sport. They will be able to put you in touch with the NGB’s Coach Education Co-ordinator who will be able to guide you.

If you want to become a mentor you may want to contact your governing body for advice or you could enrol on a sports coach UK course called A Guide to Mentoring Sports Coaches. This is a three hour workshop to help you identify the roles of a mentor; understand how learning occurs and the ways in which you can support coaches.

Finally there is a home study resource book called A Guide to Mentoring Sports Coaches, this is available from Coachwise at a cost of £9.99.

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