The ASA is very excited to launch the 2014 dates for its industry leading qualification – the ASA Level 2 Award in Coaching Open Water Swimming (QCF)
As a leading provider of aquatic qualifications in England the ASA is recognised by employers and clubs for setting the industry standard in providing learners with the knowledge and skills to perform successfully within their chosen environment.
In 2013 a successful and collaborative partnership with British Triathlon and Swim Smooth was formed to develop a sustainable pathway for learners to gain specialist knowledge, skills and experience in coaching open water swimming through quality, innovative and modern learning resources.
The Level 2 qualification provides Level 2 swimming and triathlon coaches the specialist knowledge to deliver coaching sessions in an open water environment, raising the quality of delivery and ensuring the safe and effective practice in such a specialist area. It is also supported by Skills Active as a high quality and specialised qualification and accredited onto the Qualifications and Credit Framework.
To complete this qualification coaches will need to have a minimum pre-requisite of ASA UkCC Level 2 Coaching Swimming or 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Triathlon
The course will be completed through the innovative ePortfolio system – Pebblepad, which as a lifelong learning tool, contains modern and adaptable resources, eLearning and technical knowledge with the support of a dedicated assessor providing feedback and guidance. In addition a one day tutor led face to face course will supplement learning including formal and practical assessments. The qualification covers 3 units of knowledge, which will equip coaches to:
– Understand open water swimming participation
– Understand the sport specific skills in open water swimming
– Know about relevant equipment related to swimming in open water
– Understand the structure of open water swimming sessions
– Understand the coach-participant relationship for open water swimming sessions
– Understand the health and safety considerations and good practice for open water swimming
– Know how to manage risk in relation to delivering open water swimming sessions
– Be able to plan a series of Open Water sessions
– Be able to conduct effective Open Water swimming sessions
– Be able to monitor participants performance during an open water swimming session
– Be able to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of delivery and own performance
ASA/British Swimming Workforce Projects and Partnership Manager, Kelly Gaffney said “At a time when swimming in open water has had a lot of publicity and is rapidly growing in terms of participation, swimming and triathlon coaches now have the an excellent opportunity to be formally recognised for their knowledge, skills and safe practice. For the first time, two National Governing Bodies of sport have come to together with a common objective, tying in with our experts as Swim Smooth the partnership has been a successful collaboration which we hope will continue for many years to come”.
British Triathlon Coaching Development Manager- Paul Moss, said, “Working in partnership with the ASA and Swim Smooth in the creation of an Open Water Coaching pathway is an important addition to the qualifications on offer in the British Triathlon coaching system. This innovative, industry leading award is a first for both British Triathlon and the ASA, and will be a qualification that will strengthen what our coaching workforce will have to offer to triathletes of all abilities. We continue to enjoy working with both the ASA and Swim Smooth in the implementation and ongoing development of this qualification and the career pathway in open water coaching”.
Adam Young and Paul Newsome from Swim Smooth said “Coaching open water swimming has long been a passion of ours at Swim Smooth and we’re very excited to be contributing our coaching methods and resources to the creation of this unique qualification. Thanks to the strength of this partnership between the ASA, British Triathlon and ourselves, the learner pathway is going to make a huge contribution to the standard of coaching available to open water swimmers and triathletes across the UK.”
Don’t miss out – get started now!
Available courses TO BOOK NOW!
Eligible coaches can book their place on the programme, where they will gain access to the pre-course eLearning and portfolio system to learn and reflect in their own environments and at their own pace, followed by a face to face assessment day at one of the following locations:
Saturday 19 July – Lymington Sea Pool Baths, Hampshire
Sunday 13 July Blue Lagoon Diving Centre, Doncaster
Sunday 31 August – Brockhole, Windermere
More courses for 2014 will be available for booking soon, keep checking back for details
All days will be 9.00 – 5.00pm and further details, and booking click here
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For further information email iosadmin@swimming.org