More BOF Clashes

[Becks]

I'm just wondering if anyone else was planning on doing a Level 4 Coaching course this year only to find it clashes with the CSC Final and is therefore impossible to go to? I've been waiting for a year or so to do it so I'm pretty annoyed at the clash. Have e mailed Coaching Manager but no reply, so just wondered if there was anyone else to add weight to my e mails?!

[mharky]

The only reason something is impossible to go to is if you are dead.

[Becks]

I can't split myself in two! My loyalties lie with AIRE, and with one in South Central and one in the Lakes balancing both isn't an option.

[Rich R]

I was also thinking of going on it but now that you have pointed that out Becky I obviously can't.

[El]

Slightly(!) immaterial since I will be in sunny Ecuador at the time but if I were going to be in the UK then I would definitely want to go on the Level 4 course but would be unable to due to Compass Sport Trophy commitment.
Seems a stupid idea to clash the two - it's not like the autumn is jammed full of important races. And we're not over subscribed with level 4 coaches so putting a course on a weekend where there is a high chance of people not being able to attend just seems ridiculous.

[mharky]

Despite my post, I still agree with you Becky that it stupid that they clash. But then, BOF is a stupid NGB.

[John Morris]

Mharky wrote: "But then, BOF is a stupid NGB."

And you're part of BOF, Mharky.

So what does that make you?

[stodge]

Stodgetta want ed to go and can't for the same reason.....
She has told them why

[Oldman]

Perhaps, before "shooting from the hip", it would be better to determine which date was set first (and let's face it, setting the date for the CSC final is not at all easy, requiring a Club to take on the event), and then see if whoever set the 2nd date (probably Coaching) was aware of what was on, and whether they decided despite this to go ahead (if so, why?), or there are other reasons why the two events must clash.

Don't condemn someone until they can defend themselves!

Would the organiser of the Level 4 coaching date like to comment?

[Neil M35]

Perhaps, before "shooting from the hip", it would be better to determine which date was set first (and let's face it, setting the date for the CSC final is not at all easy, requiring a Club to take on the event), and then see if whoever set the 2nd date (probably Coaching) was aware of what was on, and whether they decided despite this to go ahead (if so, why?), or there are other reasons why the two events must clash.

Don't condemn someone until they can defend themselves!

Would the organiser of the Level 4 coaching date like to comment?

Becks did point out at the start of this thread that she had tried to contact the BOF Coaching Manager and got no reply. Sometimes it seems the only way to provoke BOF into action is have a moan on here.

[graeme]

Bit off topic...

Does anyone else think the Coaching structure is back to front? Although there are a few folk like Becks able to coach across the spectrum, there seems no mechanism for bringing in people to coach at TD5 without progressing through TD1 etc.

For many people, coaching TD5 to experienced athletes is a lot easier than coaching novices. There's certainly many people here who I'd benefit from being coached by, but wouldn't let anywhere near my kids. At my age I wouldn't even care if my coach was a paedophile (I'm not saying anyone here is ).

Shouldn't there be a coaching level for TD5 only?

Graeme

[ifititches]

In my experience of the courses, most of the technical stuff and ways of breaking down the sport and the main coaching skills, which you fall back on constantly, are actually taught in levels 1 to 2.

Level 3 course was much more about taking people out onto more difficult terrain and the risk assessment and safety issues, as well as slightly higher TD coaching techniques(but with strong reference back to what had been learned at level 2, without which it wouldn't have made much sense),Plus then you get the requirement for the 2 day outdoor first aid training too, repeated every 3 years

level 4 went higher again in TD but also explored coaching in a wider context (fitness, LTAD, pschology, coaching and national sport coaching structures, an understanding of orienteering structure,) as well as technical skills, again with strong reference back to what had been learned at level 2. For me, it wouldn't have made much sense without level 2 training.It went further on the risk assessment and coping with difficult scenarios in taking teams on tour (including child protection scenarios).

For all of these courses the syllabus was absolutely packed, and usually stretched into the evenings. I thought there was a natural progression in skills. Level 2 stands out as the main one in which the coaching skills are taught/acquired.

. I imagine level 5 is in greater depth and breadth again and very similar to a lot of the stuff that gets covered at coaching conference. I suspect if someone went straight into a level 5 course it wouldn't make much sense at all unless they had very well-developed coaching skills though another sport, but maybe someone has gone down that route and can comment?

If you're an orienteer at TD 5 and can see some-one out there without a coaching qualification that you respect and would like to learn from, there's no reason you can't approach them for help (but I'm sure you knew that already, given what I know of you from your postings!) As I understand it, what they can't do is run coaching sessions under the BOF banner with BOF insurance.

[awk]

In my experience of the courses, most of the technical stuff and ways of breaking down the sport and the main coaching skills, which you fall back on constantly, are actually taught in levels 1 to 2.
.

Yes, but they don't have to be. I tend to agree with Graeme: I see no real reason why somebody who is coaching solely at 'elite' level, should need to do the detailed work at TD1/2 before getting a coaching qualification to coach in the environment that they are most comfortable in.

[awk]

Mharky wrote: "But then, BOF is a stupid NGB."
And you're part of BOF, Mharky.
So what does that make you?

I'm also British, but feel that our government regularly fails to serve my interests. I vote, but it seems to have no effect.

Same in BOF. I vote, but it seems to have no effect. I gave up attending AGMs when I realised that attending was a waste of time - decisions on key issues are already decided beforehand. I have participated in committees, Council etc. etc., but still my NGB does the very things that I spent years arguing against.

This argument is trotted out year after year. It's fallacious. Yes, we're all members of BOF, but only because if we weren't we wouldn't effectively be able to do the sport we love otherwise. Being a member does not necessarily mean feeling connected. That's going to get worse, not better, given the new membership structure.

Or maybe that's what all the icons are about?

[Wattok]

To get back on topic a bit...it sounds like there area a few people who are keen to do a level 4 coach training course therfore if you are able to come up with a suitable date then suggest it and register your interest. If you can have a few people to register their interest then there should be no reason why they can't put another course on for you. make sure you pick a date well in the future some time so it gives them an opportunity to advertise it and fill it up as well as organise it.

This is coming from somoene who organises these types of things! (this isn't an invite to ask me to organise it for you though!)