Orienteerin Recruitment

[Gross]

Seen on the UK Sport website under the heading "Keen to Coach? Earn some Cash!" was the text below.... Is it any wonder that orienteering can't retain beginners when BOF openly advertises for coaching staff saying no experience of orienteering is neccessary... gymnastics maybe so you can continually jump through the hoops

Orienteering is an adventure sport for all, combining running and navigation to challenge competitors to complete a mapped course as fast as they can. Previous orienteering experience is not essential for the role as full training and supporting resources can be given, although experience of sports coaching or instructing with groups of all abilities would be an advantage. The role is great for outdoor instructors or sports coaches looking to broaden their experience.

[SeanC]

I suspect this is advertising for club night coaches.

These are often aimed at newcomers and might not be what Gross would call coaching. There are clubs who want to start a club night* but have been unable to find a coach who is an orienteer. Faced with a choice of a) an enthusiastic non-orienteer with good inter-personal skills who has spend a week or so learning orienteering or b) no coach at all, which option should clubs choose? We were in this situation but fortunately a coach has appeared from within the club for our club night.

Clubs don't have to leave it all to the coach - experience members can mingle with the newcomers to promote events and sell the virtues of the sport.

Any orienteers (in England) who have/would be willing to get their level 1 qualification who would be interested in earning £3000 for 40 club night sessions a year should contact their local participation manager who may be able to match you up with a nearby club in need of coaching.

*doesn't have to be from the same venue every week, doesn't have to be from a leisure centre, doesn't have to be on a weekday evening

[andypat]

I suspect Sean is probably closer to the nub of this than Gross. I've a mate who is a qualified outdoors instructor, and as I understand it, they need to be qualified to coach in at least 3 or 4 different activities in order to make a living. I'm not sure this would apply to many experienced orienteers! I am sure BOF would be more than happy if they got some orienteers applying for this, but I can see why they have kept it open. A lot of the basic stuff for beginners can be taught rather than coached (but we've had that argument before...) and what you need is enthusiasm, communication and people skills (and we've also had that argument before about orienteers!).

[Gross]

Sure we have had the discussion previously about non orienteers teaching / coaching after they have gone through the various courses... my point with this is that BOF are clearly advertising for Joe Bloggs on the street with zero orienteering experience or knowledge to jump in & teach / coach clubs etc.

The advert says nothing about a requirement for any of the BOF coaching certificate (which also makes that a bit of a joke)... A typical experienced orienteer is unable to arrange a 'coaching' session for orienteers without qualifications but here are BOF offering that to Joe Bloggs..... mind you if orienteering ends up only running round streets I guess it's no big deal

[andypat]

[quote="Gross"]
The advert says nothing about a requirement for any of the BOF coaching certificate (which also makes that a bit of a joke)... A typical experienced orienteer is unable to arrange a 'coaching' session for orienteers without qualifications but here are BOF offering that to Joe Bloggs..... quote]

You are right Gross - it seems a bit odd that it doesnt even imply that you would need to gain any coaching qualifications. However surely there will be some enthusiastic orienteers down that way keen for a bit of extra cash - some are probably already doing this for nothing!

[Gross]

However surely there will be some enthusiastic orienteers down that way keen for a bit of extra cash - some are probably already doing this for nothing!

Hopefully since they are offering unexperienced non orienteers the equivilant of £1000 a week !