CAQ Coaching Policy
INTRODUCTION
This policy exists to clarify the roles, responsibilities and activities of those involved in delivery of Coaching in mallet sports within the Croquet Queensland jurisdiction.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Define the Coaching Organisation
- Describe the Coaching qualifications required of Coaches and how they are achieved and maintained
- Describe the Come and Try volunteer role
SCOPE
This policy applies to all codes played in Queensland, within the Croquet Queensland jurisdiction. Some codes may adjust training to meet specific requirements and circumstances.
COACHING ORGANISATION
The Coaching Organisation consists of people with roles at state, region and club level. Their responsibilities are outlined below.
State Coaching Coordinator (SCC): the person who is responsible for coaching of a particular code at state level
This person is responsible for:
- coordinating the provision of trained Coaches
- making sure that Croquet Queensland players have access to the coaching they want through the appointment of Presenters and Assessors for development of new Coaches and update/upgrade of existing Coaches
- coordinate the maintenance of the coaching database
- providing input to budgets and grants
- reporting on coaching activity and plans as required
- communicating effectively with the regions to assist them in delivery of coaching services in their region
Regional Coaching Coordinator (RCC): the person who is responsible for coaching of a particular code at regional level
This person is responsible for:
- coordinating Coach development and maintenance in their region
- coordinating ongoing provision of trained Coaches and delivery of effective coaching throughout the region
- monitoring Club coaching activities and arranging updated activities as required
- communicate with CAQ on the state of coaching in their region.
CAQ Member Clubs
Clubs are the first point of contact for new players. Each club should be aware of the CAQ Coaching Policy and procedures that are operating in Queensland.
All clubs should ensure that all their members have access to the appropriate level of coaching.
It is recommended that Clubs encourage and appoint qualified members to fill the following roles:
Club Coaching Coordinator (CCC)
In each Club there should be a person who is responsible for the coordination of the development of Coaches and players within the Club.
Club Coaches
Club Coaches are appropriately qualified and responsible for delivery of coaching using current policies, resources and methods.
Presenters and Assessors
Presenters and Assessors are Coaches who have been selected, trained and appointed by the person responsible for their code in Qld.
PATHWAYS
Players who are interested in becoming a coach in any of the codes played in Queensland should start by discussing their interest with their club’s Coaching Coordinator or Code Captain, for guidance and information.
If their club endorses their decision, the next step is to fill out the CAQ Coach Application and to submit the form to CAQ, who will then organise the appropriate level training with an accredited presenter/trainer.
Training will consist of a combination of theory and practical work.
When the presenter/trainer is satisfied that the appropriate level of competence has been demonstrated, they will complete the competency assessment part of the application and submit it to the relevant person in their region who will advise CAQ of their attainment and the level achieved.
Upon receipt, CAQ will annotate their records and the player’s records, and provide the newly qualified coach with a badge.
COACHING QUALIFICATIONS
Requirement
CAQ requires that those involved in formal coaching of players, are qualified at the appropriate level. This is essential, to ensure that players are coached in proven methods.
Responsibility for Training
The responsibility for the coordination of training of Coaches at Levels 1, 2 and 3 in Queensland sits within the state.
The training of Coaches at higher levels is via Croquet Australia.
Eligibility for Training
To be eligible for training as a Coach, there are certain pre-requisites:
#### 1. Level 1
A player should have at least a basic knowledge of the rules of the applicable mallet sport and be able to play all the strokes required. Coach education is not intended to teach players advanced shots. It is intended to teach Coaches how to teach and to ensure that they correctly teach techniques. The candidate must be prepared to actively involve themselves in coaching activities.
A Beginner or Orientation Level Coach should have at least 12 months active coaching experience before advancement to Level 2.
Interested players should complete the Sport and Recreation Community Coaching Essential skills course https://www.ausport.gov.au/coaching/community/education/community-coaching-essential-skills
The Application Form for Coach training is on the CAQ website under Forms.
#### 2. Beyond Level 1
Advancement beyond Level 1 is by application to the SCC (State Coaching Coordinator), the RCC (Regional Coaching Coordinator) or the CCC (Club Coaching Coordinator).
The SCC, RCC, or CCC may arrange group qualification by Presenter/Assessors appointed to this task.
In certain circumstances a Level 1 candidate may advance more rapidly with credit for prior learning or experience.
Maintenance of Qualifications
Coaches are required to update their qualification every 4 years. An extension of one year is available on request. The qualification requires completion of 20 hours of practical coaching and/or attendance at specific Update Workshops spread over the four-year period. Credit will also be given for attendance/qualification at courses provided by the Australian Sports Commission. A record of coaching activity should be maintained. Coaches who didn’t pursue update/reaccreditation within the stated four-year period are to be given access to appropriate Seminars or Workshops. Where a Coach decides not to avail themselves of the opportunity to renew, their qualification will lapse.
Coaching of Children
Volunteers need to arrange a working with children check (in Queensland this involves a successful application to hold a Blue Card) if their work or practical placement in a club, association or similar entity includes providing services that are mainly directed at children or conducting activities that mainly involve children over a prescribed period of time. More details can be found here.
Applications are made through www.qld.gov.au/law/lawsregulated-industries-and-accountability/queensland-laws-and-regulations/regulatedindustries-and-licensing/blue-card/applications There is no cost to register as a volunteer.
It is recommended that Blue Card holders be linked to Croquet Queensland’s Blue Card Organisation Portal. To organise this registration, details should be emailed to secretary@croquetqld.org
Recognition of Out-of-State Qualifications
CAQ’s coaching volunteer will consider all requests for recognition of coaching qualifications awarded by other state Croquet Associations or international organisations up and including Level 3. If these are acceptable, recognition at the equivalent level recognized by CAQ will be made. Above Level 3 will be referred to Croquet Australia’s Coaching volunteer.
Recognition and Accreditation
Coaches trained in accordance with these policies will be appropriately recognized and accredited. In all cases Coaches are to be recognized by award of an appropriate badge, showing the sport and Level for which they qualified. Some qualifications may be additionally recognized by award of a Certificate by the appropriate body. Presenters and assessors are responsible for ensuring that appropriate application requirements have been met, and for confirming accreditation with Croquet Queensland so that badges may be issued and qualifications officially recorded.
DELIVERY OF COACHING
Training of Coaches
In all cases the initial and update training of Coaches is to be carried out by Assessors and Presenters appointed to this task.
General Player Coaching
General coaching takes several forms:
#### a. Club Coaching
In accordance with individual Club policy, Club Coaching Coordinators are to arrange beginner, intermediate and advanced coaching for club players. Clubs requiring assistance should make their needs known to their regional coaching person.
#### b. Regional Coaching
The regional coaching person is to coordinate provision of General Coaching Workshops in the Region using regional resources and arrange visiting Coaches where required. Regions should be aware of additional coaching activities that other clubs may initiate.
CAQ can arrange regional visits to provide coaching if required.
Coaching for State and National Level Players
The coaching of players chosen for development, or to compete at State or National level is arranged on a case-by-case basis to meet the needs of State Squad coordinators, Selectors, Team Coaches and Captains.
COACHING STANDARDS
At all levels, coaching is to be carried out in accordance with recognised standard coaching programs, currently the courses prepared by Greg Bury for the Croquet Australia Academy.
Printed manuals outlining the various coaching levels in each of the four codes supported by Croquet Queensland will be made available to applicants as relevant. The material contained in these manuals is also available via the Croquet Australia Academy website. Applicants are advised that successful completion of an online course is not, in itself, sufficient to be accredited. All training requires an assessment of practical proficiency.
The appropriate Queensland Croquet Aims and Ideals are to be observed by coaches, players and officials. As previously stated, general policy is that only appropriately qualified coaches should provide formal coaching.
COME AND TRY HOSTS
Come and Try sessions for potential new players are best provided by Come and Try trained hosts. These volunteers are specialists in their field and are not necessarily formally accredited coaches. The role of Come and Try hosts is to make visitors feel so welcome and engaged that they decide to become members. This is achieved by providing basic instruction and lots of encouragement. Players should understand the essential flow of a game without focusing on rules and finessing technique.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
The health and safety of players is paramount, and care must be taken to ensure that activities are appropriately chosen, the environment is safe and that players are aware of any necessary precautions.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
A database should be maintained of coach details to the extent required to identify those coaches who are active and when they are due for reaccreditation/recertification. This information is needed so Croquet in Queensland can monitor any shortfalls in our coaching ranks and take appropriate action where necessary. The physical location and management of the records may change as our systems are developed.
APPENDIX 1. Come and Try Host requirements
Club Come and Try hosts may be formally accredited coaches, but their most essential qualifications are that they are approachable, energetic, positive and enthusiastic. While all coaches should possess these attributes, in Come and Try Hosts they take precedence over the ability to play advanced shots and forensic knowledge of the rules of the game. The focus is on ensuring the come and try participant has such fun that they become a member.