Review of coaching qualifications reaches significant point
British Rowing’s Learning, Education and Development Team shared updates at this week’s UK Coaching Summit
Sarah Harris and Rachel Hooper, represented the wider ‘LEAD’ team when they spoke at the UK Coaching Summit in Leeds on 10 December 2024. Sarah and Rachel described how British Rowing has conducted the review of their coaching qualifications – the first major reassessment since the introduction of the UK Coaching Certificate over 20 years ago. They discussed how they are developing a flexible, relevant, and affordable framework for coaches, featuring a modular approach with online and in-person options. The review reached an important stage last month when new entry-level training modules were piloted.
They also shared how the pilot modules shifted from traditional knowledge transfer to a two-way, coach-centred learning. Coaches will find the right learning opportunities to suit their role and coaching environment.
The team also highlighted consultation with 478 coaches, including 60 in-depth interviews, and 32 coach deployers across schools, universities, clubs, and outreach programmes.
Sarah Harris said, “The qualification review aligns with our Coach Development Opportunities, which we introduced last year. These support the needs of coaches in their roles through one-on-one mentoring, specialist workshops, and confidence boosting networking events. Last season, we worked with 119 coaches, and we will continue to support new cohorts in 2025.”
The first post-COVID British Rowing Coaching Conference will take place on 25-26 January 2025 in Birmingham, further expanding development opportunities for coaches of all levels.
CEO of UK Coaching, Mark Gannon, said, “It was a pleasure to celebrate the progress made by British Rowing on their insight-led project to recognise coaches authentically on their individual learning pathways. We know there have been some significant challenges to overcome, but by sharing learning with other sports it gives us all the confidence that we are collaboratively moving in the right direction.”
Further updates will be shared with the rowing community in the spring once the next pilot has been completed.
