Teaching / Coaching

Helping on poolside can be a rewarding way to spend some time each week.  

Club members can start by gaining the poolside helpers qualification which has no assessment or examination, and this can lead to a more structured teaching or coaching qualification. If you would like to know more about what is involved or about the structure of ASA poolside helpers and the courses available, then please talk to the Head Coach or a committee member.

Runnymede Swimming Club (as with many other types of clubs) relies on the good will and willingness of parents to give up some of their free time to commit to helping the club.  A key area for swimming clubs is pool side assistance and coaching. Many parents have taken the various courses to enable to progress in the area and all the benefits and satisfaction that goes with the role. Runnymede SC uses the ASA training courses and structure as this is seen as best practice within the swimming fraternity.

Please take the time to read this information and if it appeals to you then do not hesitate in contacting the Head Coach or a committee member of the club who will assist you.

Why should I become a helper?

Poolside helper

Why indeed. Well first of all we need you, secondly it has the potential for you to get more involved with part of the child's development, and thirdly it helps you in many ways to understand the world of competitive swimming.

We as a swimming club can help both financially and in other ways to help you achieve the certification. All we ask in return is some commitment to our swimming club as a helper during training sessions and club galas for a period of not less than 12 months

Swimming Teacher (level 1/2)

This would be the next step for those who wish to develop on the skills and certification in the role of helper. You will see later what is needed to achieve this. Should you choose to take this on, then the club can help you. Level 1 & 2 teachers can also earn money teaching swimming through the club's swim school or outside the club if this appeals to them.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: INTRODUCTION

The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo and Synchronised Swimming in England. The Association also covers swimming for people with a disability, Aquafit and Adult and Child activities. All ASA qualifications are recognised throughout Great Britain and in many other countries. The ASA is the major training organisation for teachers and coaches for the aquatic disciplines.

The ASA Education Programme is recognised as being at the forefront of British sport and the ASA is an approved centre for the assessment of S/NVQs.

The ASA is an awarding body of long standing and its qualifications are recognised by the Government as being of an appropriate standard and quality in order to attract public funding. This may mean, therefore, that you may be able to receive a grant towards your training costs. For further information on this issue contact your local training and enterprise or learning and skills council.

Overview of the Education Structure:

The ASA offer qualifications covering a range of abilities and aspirations from the Helper Certificate which is aimed at those who wish to help their club or organisation, whilst under the guidance of a qualified ASA Level 2 Certificate for Teaching holder, to the Coach Certificate which is aimed at those wishing to coach competitive swimmers operating at the highest level.

The full range of qualifications is:

• Helper Certificate
• Level 1 Certificate for Teaching
• Lane Coach Certificate
• Level 2 Certificate for Teaching
• Level 3 Club Coach Certificate
• Level 4 Coach Certificate

Helper

Description:

This introductory certificate is for those who wish to help their club or organisation by working under the guidance of an ASA Level 2 Certificate for Teaching Swimming holder.

Role:

One who is able to help with a club/group activity under the guidance of a qualified ASA Level 2 Certificate Teacher holder (Discipline) or above.

Approximate length of course:

8 hours

Method of assessment:

It is an attendance certificate only and is not a teaching qualification. There is no assessment on the course.

Age:

Candidates must be 14 years of age at the start of the course.

Disciplines:

Swimming, Disabilities.

Pre-requisite Qualifications

See age above.

Level 1 Certificate for Teaching Swimming

Description:

This certificate is the first qualification in teaching/coaching and is the pre-requisite to taking a course leading to the ASA Level 2 Certificate for Teaching. It is designed to qualify you to assist an ASA Level 2 Certificate holder.

Role:

Once qualified a holder of the Level 1 Certificate for Teaching assistant Teacher Certificate is able to assist in the teaching of a limited range of basic skills to a group consisting of up to 4 participants under supervision of an ASA qualified Teacher / Coach (Swimming). As the Level 1 Certificate holder Teacher gains additional experience, and following a risk assessment carried out by the supervising teacher, the number in the group may be increased up to a maximum of six participants.

Approximate length of course:

26 hours.

Method of assessment:

Log book, practical teaching/coaching, written knowledge test.

Age:

Candidates must be at least 16 years of age at the start of the course.

Disciplines:

Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Disabilities.

Pre-requisite Qualifications:

See age above.

Level 2 Certificate for Teaching Swimming

Description:

This is the industry standard for those wishing to teach unsupervised. Essential for those seeking paid employment.

Role:

Once qualified a holder of a Level 2 Certificate for Teaching (Swimming) is one who is able to teach/coach groups, normally consisting of up to 12 participants of a range of ability from the non-swimmer to those involved in pre-competition development and to organise and supervise Level 1 teachers and other helpers. Those candidates who successfully complete 3 of the 4 units will be qualified to teach within the range determined by the practical unit achieved. As the teacher/coach gains additional experience it is reasonable for the number of pupils being taught to increase in accordance with the requirements as stated in the current edition of Safe Supervision for Teaching and Coaching Swimming.

Approximate length of course:

3 unit course - 39 1/4 hours

4 unit course - 57 3/4 hours

Method of assessment:

Log book, written examinations, practical teaching.

Age:

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age at the start of the course.

Disciplines:

Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Synchronised Swimming, Disabilities and Aquafit.

Pre-requisite Qualifications:

See age above. Candidates must be holders of the ASA Level 1 Certificate for Teaching (Swimming) (or have gained exemption from it) or be holders of the ASA Preliminary Teacher Certificate (Swimming) or ASA Preliminary club Coach Certificate (Swimming) or have gained exemption from one of them.

OR

Be holders of the Irish ASA/STA Welsh ASA, Scottish ASA (after 1976) Preliminary Teacher Certificate.     

OR

Be holders of the ASA Primary School Teachers Certificate for the teaching of swimming.

AND

Have completed 15 hours verified teaching/coaching since achieving the Level 1 Certificate for Teaching Swimming.

Club Coach

Description:

For those wishing to coach competitive performers in a club environment.

Role:

Once qualified a holder of the Club Coach Certificate is one who is able to coach swimming groups normally consisting of up to 30 participants including those swimmers involved in the development of personal performance and those wishing to compete at club level, and to supervise other helpers.

Approximate length of course:

50-60 hours plus 12-18 week post course period.

Method of assessment:

Log book, written examination, practical coaching.

Age:

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age at the start of the course.

Disciplines:

Swimming & Synchronised Swimming.

Pre-requisite Qualifications:

See age above. Candidates must: be a holder of the ASA Level 2 Certificate for Teaching (Swimming) (post 01.09.94)

OR

Be a holder of the ASA Teachers Certificate (Swimming) (pre 01.09.94) and have successfully completed a written theory examination paper.

OR

Be a holder of the ASA Advanced Teacher Certificate (Swimming)

OR

Be a holder of the ASA Assistant Club Coach Certificate (Swimming)

Coach

Description:

For those aspiring to coach at District and National Level.

Role:

Once qualified a holder of the Coach Certificate is; one who is able to coach swimming groups normally consisting of up to 30 participants aiming to achieve and maintain' high levels of competitive ability; one who is able to work with a number of swimmers in great depth; one who is able to organise and manage a club development programme at all levels; one who is able to organise and manage a number of assistants.

Approximate length of course:

80-100 hours including pre and post course modules - plus 12 week post course period.

Method of assessment:

Log book, viva voce interviews, practical coaching.

Age:

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age at the start of the course.

Discipline:

Swimming.

Pre - requisite Qualifications:

See age. Candidates need to be a holder of the ASA Club Coach Certificate (Swimming) or have gained exemption from it.

Course Costs:

Course costs range from approx. £30 for poolside helper to £480 plus for ASA Coach. Funding is available from several sources up to a maximum of 80% of the total cost excluding residential costs for the longer courses. In some cases the club will fund up to the full cost in return for a promise to give time to the club after qualification.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)

Enhance your Teaching and Coaching Qualifications through the ASA CPD Programme.

Aim

The ASA is committed to encouraging teachers and coaches to regularly update their knowledge and to provide the opportunity for teachers and coaches to publicly demonstrate their commitment to ongoing professional development.

Benefits of CPD:

• Maintenance of high professional standards through increased knowledge and awareness. This will lead to better swimming sessions for all pupils and more satisfied customers.
• Improved employment prospects when applications are supported by regular evidence of updating.
• Regular updating evidence will be beneficial in any unfortunate legal action. This is supported by the ASA Code of Ethics which recommends regular professional development to enhance awareness of current issues.

Continuing Professional Development will:

• Enhance status and recognition of teacher and coaches, nationally.
• Provide national recognition of on going commitment to increasing knowledge and awareness.

How will CPD work?

• CPD will comprise of three credits (two for those qualifying at Level 1) over a five year period.
• CPD in more than one discipline will be achieved by gaining one additional credit of a discipline specific nature for each discipline covered e.g. for a Level 2 Teacher wishing to show evidence for CPD in swimming, synchro and diving would be required to have five credits in total.
• A CPD certificate will apply to the highest level qualification held by the teacher/coach and will cover all the other ASA qualifications held (this does not include lifesaving qualifications)

What contributes as a credit?

• Attendance at an accredited seminar. A seminar to comprise a minimum of 4+ hours contact time will be awarded 1 CPD credit and 3-4 hours contact time, 0.5 CPD credit.
• Seminars of less than 2.5 hours cannot be accredited for CPD.
• Verified teaching/coaching on a regular basis - verified teaching will be on the basis of a minimum 50 hours teaching/coaching. This should take the form of logged session plans which must be sent to the ASA Education Department when the application for a CPD certificate is made (credit will only be given for session plans considered to be of an appropriate standard). This will constitute a maximum of 1 CPD credit.
• Verified evidence of preparing and delivering a presentation at an accredited seminar or conference on a relevant topic.
• Verified evidence of writing a recent article on a relevant topic published in a national journal/magazine or contributing towards a book published nationally, minimum length 1000 words.
• If an ASA Teacher Certificate or above is dated after 01.01.02 and is then NVQ'd this will be awarded 1 CPD credit.
• Tutoring ASA courses at Level 1 or above or Sports Coach UK courses. (This to constitute a maximum of 1 CPD credit - irrespective of the number of courses tutored.)
• University /Higher Education courses.

ASA Accredited Training Providers

The ASA have a comprehensive list of organisations registered as training providers for CPD. These include:

• ISTC
• SASA
• WASA
• Sport Coach UK
• ISRM

There are a number of areas which you can use to assist you on the road of swimming and some sources of information are:

The Amateur Swimming Association - Amateur Swimming Association : TEACHERS & COACHES