HOW HAS COACH EDUCATION BEEN IMPACTED AS A RESULT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM COACHING CERTIFICATE?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate coach educators’ experiences and perceptions of the United Kingdom Coach Certificate (UKCC), in order to establish opinions and feelings from the coach educators prospective. Three coach educators were selected to take part in a focus group interview, each from different National Governing Bodies (NGB’s), all of whom had experience of tutoring courses pre and post UKCC. The results were illustrative of large variations in coach education practice, which were due to the coach educators’ different NGB affiliations. However, the coach educators agreed the introduction of the UKCC created a step change in coach education practice, and has been a driving force in moving coach education forwards. Further, the results indicated the UKCC impacted candidates’ experiences due to a change in content from 'what to coach' to 'how to coach'. Finally, the UKCC has impacted tutor training; compulsory training has been rolled out across sports to ensure tutors are meeting the criteria of the UKCC, with the aim of actively engaging athletes. In addition to the positive outcomes, the coach educators identified aspects of the UKCC which were seen as a 'hindrance'. In particular, frustrations felt by the tutors that have to manage the bureaucracy behind the courses. Further research is required to develop a greater understanding of the impact the UKCC has had upon coach education across all NGB’s and how the UKCC can continue to improve NGB coach education provision.