Coaches Consultation Report

Transcription

1 Coaches Consultation Report Matthew Williams National Club & Coach Manager July 2009

2 Executive Summary The purpose of the coaches consultation was to gain the views of coaches and officials within amateur boxing regarding the sport s coaching system. This report provides a snapshot of the current coaching system and offers valuable information that will serve to influence future coaching developments. A wide range of responses were received to each of the areas that coaches were questioned about. The main findings and potential opportunities for development are summarised below. ABAE coaching system - Inconsistency in quality of courses - Course content and resources need to be improved - New UKCC courses will address a number of the issues raised. Best things about being a coach - Emphasis on developing boxers as people e.g. social / life skills - and providing positive diversion - Strong community focus. Most challenging things about being a coach - Balancing coaching with life commitments - Challenging behaviour boxers, parents, spectators - Opportunities for coaches to share good practice and proven, practical solutions to challenges could be useful. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) - Coaches hungry for further development opportunities - Variety of CPD wanted e.g. coaching clinics, feedback from a mentor, personal development plans - Wider CPD opportunities should be developed following the implementation of UKCC levels 1 and 2 - Coaches should seek to become part of their local authority and County Sports Partnership networks to increase their opportunities for CPD. Coaching skills and knowledge - Majority of coaches consider themselves to have good knowledge in a number of areas - Majority of coaches want to improve / know more about all areas - Many coaches feel that they need to improve / know more about performance analysis, seasonal planning, nutrition and weight making and sport psychology - New UKCC courses will address a number of these areas, and these findings will also inform wider CPD opportunities that are to be developed in the longer-term. What would coaches like to see ABAE do to support coaches? - More support - Greater access to information and more opportunities to learn and improve - Communicate better. Sport England Satisfaction Survey Findings - Participants have a high level of satisfaction with coaching received, a real testament to the work of the coaches within clubs upon which the health of the sport depends - The scope for improvements highlighted throughout the report point to an opportunity to further improve satisfaction with coaching. 2

3 Contents Introduction Page 4 ABAE Coaching System Page 5 Best things about being a coach Page 7 Most challenging things about being Page 9 a coach Continuous Professional Development Page 11 (CPD) Coaching Skills & Knowledge Page 13 What would coaches like to see the Page 15 ABAE do to support coaches? Sport England Satisfaction Survey Page 16 findings 3

4 Introduction The purpose of the coaches consultation was to gain the views of coaches and officials within amateur boxing regarding the sport s coaching system. This resulting report provides a snapshot of the current coaching system and offers valuable information that will serve to influence future coaching developments. Along with this written report we have produced an Excel document, Consultation Report Charts, which presents the data in a visual format. The ABAE s coaching system has existed in its present format for many years and is long overdue a review. This is happening via the sport s commitment to the UK Coaching Framework which compels the ABAE, along with other sports governing bodies, to develop its coaching system in-line with recognised coaching industry standards of best practice. The coaches consultation exercise is vital in ensuring that the real experiences of coaches inform the developments that are undertaken. As with any venture of this nature it will not be possible to address every issue raised, and necessary changes will take time depending upon the financial and human resources available to undertake them. Having said that, the consultation represents an opportunity for coaches, upon whom the health of the sport depends, to have their say. It also provides an opportunity for the ABAE to understand the issues that coaches face and to demonstrate that their views and experiences are heard and taken on board. Finally, it will provide a benchmark against which future progress can be measured, and to this end the exercise will be repeated in the years ahead. Communication is cited as an issue that coaches feel that the ABAE should improve. This consultation represents one way in which the ABAE seeks to improve its communication with coaches. To further encourage communication we would welcome your comments on the content of this report based on how the findings relate to your own experiences. Please send any comments to National Club & Coach Manager Matthew Williams, at matthew.williams@abae.co.uk. Thank you to everybody that responded to the consultation. 4

5 ABAE Coaching System This question was aimed at Regional Coaches, Regional Secretaries and Boxing Development Officers. Best things about ABAE Coaching System - Enthusiasm of coaches - Regular courses - Accessibility of courses - Progression opportunities - Involvement of National Coach in overseeing the system - Range of content within 4 levels of qualification - Well packaged and delivered courses - Practical emphasis of courses - Delivery of courses by regional coaches - The need to link with a club What would you like the ABAE do to improve the system to better support and develop coaches? - Standardised syllabus and structured content across all regions, including PowerPoint resources, handouts, ABAE manual - More senior and advanced coaching courses required - Syllabus and materials should be given to coaches prior to the course - DVD needed - Call upon experts in other fields such as nutrition, strength training, child protection policies/issues etc. - Improve standard of delivery in some areas - Difference in knowledge from full coach to senior coach is too big, particularly for nonacademics - Too much duplication of syllabus in senior and advanced courses needs to be addressed - More development opportunities outside of the coaching qualifications - Proactive recruitment and support for female coaches, including a female coach educator - Ensure that people can progress equitably based on a transparent system, and not based on a recommendation which is open to bias; and based on ability rather than length of coaching - There should be a support network for coaches and a requirement for continual assessment ABAE coaching courses ratings and comments from coaches ABAE Course Ratings Table shows percentage of responses received for each rating: Assistant Coach % 13% 13% 6% 6% 25% 9% 25% Full Coach % 5% 11% 26% 26% 11% 16% Senior Coach % 33% 16% 33% Advanced Coach %

6 Sample of ABAE Course Comments Positive Negative 1. Very enjoyable and well organised 2. Well structured and delivered; rewarding 3. Provided a good foundation 4. Attention to technique detail was brilliant, the advice was very good and the ABA instructors were very friendly 5. Perfect balance of classroom and practical tuition 6. Knowledge passed on was first class 7. Senior course was a big eye-opener and I felt I learned new skills and developed as a coach overnight 8. Good value for money 1. Poorly led, factually incorrect 2. Learning materials were very weak 3. Full coach course too similar to assistant 4. Didn t cover aspects that should be covered such as diet, weight management and conditioning 5. Key objective seemed to be how the coach boxes and not the teaching to young people who have different ways of learning 6. Senior course was a joke and included no structured training or discussion to cover what we were to be tested on so I felt ill-prepared for the assessment 7. Senior course too expensive 8. Too many people on course Comment The range of comments and ratings highlight the inconsistency in provision. Despite the fact that the majority of respondents rated the courses reasonably highly, a number of coaches clearly felt disappointed by their experiences. The introduction of the new qualifications, with their emphasis on quality-assured content and delivery against a standardised syllabus at each level, will be a significant step in addressing this and a number of the associated issues that were raised. The resources that will accompany the courses will address another of the key issues raised, as will the enhanced content in terms of nutrition, conditioning, and modern-coaching methods based on participant-centred learning. 6

7 Best things about being a coach Mentoring, developing, educating. All are about bringing the best out of the kids we have in the gym, watching them grow from kids to young adults, seeing their attitudes change and becoming confident and believing in themselves; and how throughout life the skills they learn in the gym will help them achieve their goals. The chance to work with underprivileged kids and to help them turn their lives around. NB: core themes with sub-themes in brackets where applicable Theme Enhancing individual development (physical / social / life skills; seeing people achieve their goals / reach their potential / attain success) % of respondents 43% Enhancing self-confidence and self-esteem 25% Developing boxing skills (taking a boxer from beginner to competitive boxer) Relationship factors (building relationships and friendships; gaining trust; team spirit & camaraderie) Providing positive diversion (keeping children involved in a positive activity; providing direction; keeping children away from the streets / drugs; helping the underdog ; changing lives) Community factors (community interaction / contribution) 25% 23% 23% 20% Passing on knowledge / experience / skills 18% Factors related to young people (working with / developing / understanding / communicating with young people) Personal development (developing and using own personal / coaching / social skills) Contributing to the sport of boxing (promoting / developing / putting something back into / being involved with the sport of boxing) Character factors (enhancing and developing discipline / respect / character for self and others) 18% 15% 15% 13% Single response issues: - Developing fitness - Sharing moments of breakthrough - Getting decisions right - Helping other coaches to develop 7

8 Comment As expected a range of responses were received relating to the best things about being a boxing coach. What is noticeable is the significant emphasis on developing children and young people as people as a source of satisfaction, over and above developing them as boxers. As all within the sport know, amateur boxing coaches play a huge role as positive role models for children and young people and as such are a real asset to their communities. A strong community focus was evident amongst a number of the coaches that responded to the consultation, alongside the aim of providing youngsters with opportunities for positive diversion. 8

9 Most challenging things about being a coach Full time working and doing boxing voluntarily; getting the best out of individuals and ensuring each individual gets the best coaching even if it is different for each one; educating the kids on living the right way when they walk out of the gym. Keeping kids in the gym and not getting sidetracked by other things; keeping parents inline; and keeping focus when there s not a lot of boxers in the gym. NB: core themes with sub-themes in brackets where applicable) Theme Lifestyle factors (time; balancing coaching with family /work) Challenging behaviour (attitudes of boxers / coaches / spectators / parents; gaining respect; getting boxers to listen) Maintaining interest of boxers (providing variety; short attention spans) Achieving success (getting boxers to be successful / fulfil their potential / reach the top) Administrative issues (issues relating to rule changes; paperwork; child protection requirements; remoteness of governing body) Perceived competence factors (not having all the answers; getting things wrong; selfanalysis and evaluation; passing on information; carrying out the ABAE manual) Boxers commitment levels (drop-out; impact of bad decisions) Instilling discipline (athlete lifestyle / respect; ensuring boxers avoid peer pressure) Meeting individual needs (not being able to offer enough individual attention / cater to individual needs; managing large groups / different ability levels ) % of respondents 30% 24% 22% 19% 19% 16% 16% 14% 11% Matchmaking issues 11% Funding issues 11% Coach development factors (barriers to development; attitudes of other coaches; lack of education opportunities in areas such as nutrition; lack of access to coaching information) 8% 9

10 Theme Maintaining standards (within club; amongst coaches; ensuring other coaches attend session) Transition from boxer to coach (not being able to join in) % of respondents 8% 5% Single response issues: - Maintaining personal focus when there aren t many boxers in the gym - Lengthening of season - Maintaining an environment where winning isn t everything - Ensuring that boxers give something back to the sport when they retire - Move from skills focus to competition - Breaking down stereotypes as a female coach - Not showing disappointment and frustration Comment Once again a wide range of issues were raised. Most commonly cited was the challenge of balancing coaching with the rest of their lives; this is an issue common in sport, where involvement is primarily voluntary and people are passionate about their sporting commitment. Given such factors, striking an appropriate balance can be difficult. The ABAE must remain conscious of these challenges and must always strive to balance the demands of developing the sport with the potential impact on volunteers time. The new qualifications, and associated continuous professional development opportunities in the longer-term, can help to provide coaches with the enhanced knowledge and skills to address some of these issues, for example issues relating to behaviour and discipline, and to meeting individual needs. Clubmark may also provide a means by which clubs can address some of the issues raised, in terms of maintaining standards, accessing funding and creating the right environment for example. As many of the issues raised will pertain to specific situations and will require specific, practical solutions, mentoring, whether formal or informal, could be particularly useful in helping coaches to deal with them. Providing coaches with opportunities to share good practice and potential solutions to identified issues with other coaches, for example via newsletters or the website, could also be useful. 10

11 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Type of CPD opportunity Received (%) Wanted (%) Coaching with a more 63% 69% experienced boxing coach Observing a more 76% 69% experienced boxing coach Working with a coach from 35% 55% another sport Observing a coach from 39% 57% another sport Feedback from a more 59% 73% experienced coach / mentor Coaching workshop / clinic 27% 73% organised by ABAE (excluding qualifications) Coaching workshop / clinic 22% 53% organised by other organisation Personal Development Plan 8% 63% based on assessment needs Coaching Conference 22% 59% Online learning 16% 43% Learning from books / journals / magazines 51% 55% Additional suggestions - Mentored practice - International coaching workshops - invite coaches from other countries to discuss their programs and explore other systems Who or what has helped most with your development as a coach? - other coaches boxing & other sports; going to other gyms; at shows; listening and watching - family / other support - named individuals names in appendices - experience as a boxer - course/s ABAE & other - working with different boxers; - helping to deliver a coaching course - watching boxers / bouts - performance analysis and evaluation (including use of DVD) of self and boxers - a proactive attitude / approach, and self desire / hard work (fuelled by being a female in a male environment) recognition that you can learn from anywhere - success inspiring confidence to improve - being a judge the roles complement each other Individuals cited as having helped coaches development: Nick Griffin, Harry Scott, Kevin Hickey, Alan Brightman, Jack Tansey, Jimmy Albertina, Kelvyn Travis, Alan Sanigar, Mauricio Stecca, Liz Addington, Met Police staff, Charles Atkinson, Tucker Heatherington, Tommy Singleton Snr, Richie Lloyd, Terry Spinks, Dennie Mancini, Charlie Page, Joey Singleton, Lee Murray, Steve Setch, Dave Alloway, management at Old Trafford ABC, Gloves ABC team, Alwyn Belcher, Fred Gummerson, Martin Utley 11

12 Comment There are two main conclusions that can be drawn from the responses within this section: coaches value and are hungry for a variety of continuous development opportunities, and not enough opportunities are currently provided for those coaches that wish to continuously develop. The ABAE s coaching system is heavily based on its qualifications. Coaching qualifications act as the bedrock of the coaching system and are vital in defining expected standards, and in ensuring that coaches are able to meet the necessary level of competence for undertaking the responsibilities that being a boxing coach entail. However, like boxers, coaches learn best in a variety of ways and the ABAE s coaching qualifications need to be complemented by ongoing opportunities to enhance and develop coaching skills and knowledge. Once the new Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications are implemented the ABAE will need to turn attention to the CPD opportunities it offers. Such opportunities need not be formal; the ABAE will have a role in both providing suitable opportunities and in signposting coaches to workshops, websites, books and indeed other coaches that may be able to help them. This consultation will help to shape the opportunities that are developed. Coaches should also be aware of and seek development opportunities that are provided within their area by other agencies, for example, County Sports Partnerships and local authority sports development teams. Various sports coach UK workshops are organised by these agencies including Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD), Managing Challenging Behaviour in Sport, and Safeguarding and Protecting Children. Further opportunities including conferences and mentoring programmes may also be available. 12

13 Coaching Skills & Knowledge Subject Area Improving boxing skills Improving boxing tactics Performance analysis Coaching children effectively Communicating effectively Behaviour Management Understanding how people learn Catering for different ability levels Session planning Seasonal planning Performance evaluation Nutrition and weight-making Developing fitness Sport psychology Safeguarding children Need to improve / know more Good knowledge / skills Excellent knowledge / skills Would like to know more / improve 12% 53% 22% 69% 27% 45% 16% 71% 30% 39% 16% 69% 22% 43% 20% 63% 14% 40% 31% 63% 22% 37% 27% 61% 29% 41% 18% 63% 18% 55% 14% 63% 22% 43% 20% 65% 42% 32% 12% 67% 27% 45% 12% 61% 51% 27% 8% 78% 16% 51% 18% 69% 53% 20% 10% 73% 18% 37% 29% 67% Sports equity 20% 41% 20% 65% 13

14 Additional Areas of Development Highlighted - Address the massive gap between domestic & international boxing - IT literacy - Developing relationships with / working with other coaches - Group coaching strategies - Implement local committees to oversee the quality of local coaching with powers to sanction poor coaching practice - Need to address the damaging win at all costs attitudes that exist - Workshops on the differences of skill development and competition development programs and the variables that exist to prevent/sustain these from being successful - Workshops for Level 1 and Level 2 coaches on the importance of Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) - Health and safety - Use of swimming to improve boxers' fitness - Environmental factors associated with international travel - Coaching boxing for all types of disabilities - Recommended physios, chiropractors, nutritionists, specialised coaches (strength / conditioning) - Common sports injuries - Need greater emphasis on roles and responsibilities of the coach Comment The responses received within this section point to the both the strengths and deficiencies in the existing coaching qualifications. In the main coaches feel that they have good skills in most of the core areas in which a boxing coach would need knowledge and skills in order to be effective. Core deficiencies are apparent particularly in relation to nutrition and weight making and sport psychology, two areas that are of vital importance to the boxing coach. Once again, the content of the new coaching qualifications will address this, although, as discussed earlier, wider CPD opportunities will be necessary to ensure that coaches have access to either support and/or resources to continually develop their knowledge and apply their skills in practice. Logistically it would not be possible to offer the majority of coaches hands-on support within their own clubs, however helping coaches to develop skills in reflective practice can help to support ongoing development in practically applying skills. This could potentially be complimented by the use of a mentor, although it must be recognised that the success of a mentoring programme would depend to a large degree on the willingness of coaches to act as a mentor for others. The responses received in this section will prove very useful in developing future CPD programmes. 14

15 What would coaches like to see the ABAE do to support coaches? We must remember that coaches give their time free and are not paid employees, but I think we should give them the necessary knowledge and tools and hope it will consolidate the experience coaches have. CPD must be ingrained into coach education; LTAD must be key and we must not have the culture of throwing boxers into championships too early. More materials such as sample sessions / programmes, advice and guidance etc. on-line or printed. Also opportunities for new coaches to have further development sessions with more experienced coaches between achieving coaching awards. The main themes are presented below: - Communicate better - Provide opportunities to learn from elite - Run more courses - Provide more CPD opportunities / refreshers - Widen access to courses - Provide more support within clubs - Have less paperwork / bureaucracy - More information on specific knowledge areas - Have a clear, transparent system of progression - Provide more funding - Administrate and manage courses better - Provide access to information and support, such as sample programmes on website - Provide better links with judges - Develop coaching commissions within regions Comment Coaches highlighted a number of areas in which they feel more support is required, and over the coming years the ABAE will seek to address these areas wherever possible. A number of these issues have been commented on throughout this report, for example the need for better communication, the need for more CPD opportunities and the desire for more support within clubs. As a relatively small national governing body the ABAE has little funding to allocate directly to clubs and coaches. As such it seeks to help clubs and coaches to seek external funding and to this end has recently produced a Funding Information Guide. Areas that have Boxing Development Officers can also receive support to find funding, and in addition County Sports Partnerships and local authority sports development teams can help clubs to find funding. The issue of increased paperwork and bureaucracy was raised and in the majority of cases this was related to child protection requirements. It should be noted that the ABAE procedures that exist in this area are based on legal and moral standards against which clubs and coaches are expected to operate by our society. As such these requirements are not dictated by the ABAE, rather the procedures that the ABAE have developed are necessary in order for coaches and clubs to meet these wider responsibilities that they accept once they become a coach and/or or open a club. In summary, this is an area in which the ABAE has to comply with national safeguarding standards as set out by the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), and as such cannot be changed. 15

16 Sport England Satisfaction Survey Findings Sport England recently commissioned a survey to assess satisfaction amongst participants of all Sport England funded sports. One of the areas assessed was satisfaction with the coaching that participants receive within their sport. Of the 10 drivers of satisfaction in sport that were identified by participants in boxing, coaching was rated amongst the most important areas. Some of survey s key findings relating to coaching are included here to complement the information provided by coaches via the coaches consultation. Overall Satisfaction with Coaching Boxing (out of 10) Overall Satisfaction with Coaching all sports (out of 10) Individual Coaching Domains Percentage of participants giving rating of 8-10 The opportunities to receive coaching from an instructor or coach 63% The coaching I received suited my ability 67% The technical competence of the coach/coaches 67% The coaches ability to understand and respond to my particular needs 64% Improvements I have made in my performance in the sport from having 67% received coaching The feedback I received from my coach / coaches was motivating and encouraging 64% An increased enjoyment in participating in my sport from having received coaching 70% Taking everything into account how satisfied would you say you are with this aspect of your sport? 65% Comment This research is very important for our sport as it rates the quality of coaches from the perspective of those that matter most the boxers themselves. The survey s research shows us that participants in boxing have a high level of satisfaction with the coaching that they receive. This is a testament to the quality of ABAE coaches. A further point of notice is the relative satisfaction with coaching received in boxing when compared to all other sports. Given the issues highlighted within this report and the identified scope for improvements to the ABAE s coaching system, there can be real optimism that the satisfaction with coaching can be further increased in the years ahead. 16