Coaching Conference

[Clive Coles]

Yes ~ lets call this third event type a "happening" or even dare I suggest it a "social".

Why don't we want to promote and encourage people centric activities ~ you don't need acredited coaches or risk assessment tutors to run them. But of course events such a pub-o are not "proper" events or activities so BOF sweep them under the radar. You will not therefore get them onto a BOF list of events.

But the successful clubs in my experience, who are growing their membership, are those which have a social dimension. It isn't just about technique, maps, fitness and competition.

Let's try to be less intense and encourage some fun. That might acutally help retain and expand membership.

[SeanC]

This is about insurance. We only get insurance cover if it's registered as an event, or the activity is run by a qualified coach. For understandable reasons, many clubs are uncomfortable organising something that could see the club liable. There is a risk that the bank balance will be wiped out and that might be the end of the club.

[NeilC]

We only get insurance cover if .... the activity is run by a qualified coach.

Where is this actually stated?

[SeanC]

We've had this advice directly from BOF via email a year or two ago.

I think though there is a grey area, if you have a coach present and an organiser is helping (but the coach is taking responsibility) then I guess you're covered. That does mean that the coach has to be there all the time though.

Another topic for the coaching conference maybe? When do you need a coach and when/how can you use the large pool of (non-coach) volunteers willing to organise an activity a few times a year?

[SeanC]

I should say that there is also the easier to obtain "Teaching Orienteering" qualification and the new club night leader award (not sure what it's called) both of which qualify an individual to lead activities, but in more limited areas (eg local parks). It may not cover some of the more interesting stuff that SO are doing though.

Both do require attending a course somewhere. According to the current list http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/p ... ng_courses there is one 'Teaching Orienteering' course in the South East in 2013 and one coaching course in 2013 in the South East.

[roadrunner]

It depends what your definition is, but most people think of coaching as one to one instruction.

I disagree with the "one to one" bit - it's quite normal to coach a group, not just in orienteering but running as well (and probably many other sports). Of course, at the elite level, you would expect one to one coaching.

[AndyC]

I should say that there is also the easier to obtain "Teaching Orienteering" qualification and the new club night leader award (not sure what it's called) both of which qualify an individual to lead activities, but in more limited areas (eg local parks). It may not cover some of the more interesting stuff that SO are doing though.

" Community Orienteering Leader Award" - I've got it from a day course at Durham - intended for club nights and I think covers most if not all of Neil's "stuff" at least from an insurance position - it doesn't have any First Aid in though.
By coincidence I was the one who needed treatment at our last club night and found I was being shadowed (as part of a group) by another COLA (with First Aid as well), the club (well qualified) coach was in charge and there were (at least) four other First Aiders in attendance -we all agreed "Hospital"

[Paul Frost]

The recent posts seem to confirm my original comment that generally coaches are not being paid to "coach orienteering", they are volunteers.

NeilC also admits that what they do at their club nights is not coaching.

The Community Orienteering Leader Award (which is all you need to be paid to run a community O project), is not a coaching qualification (I'm surprised it doesn't have any first aid knowledge requirement). I understand this award was introduced because it was viewed as too hard to qualify as a coach and not enough coaches wanted to be community O leaders.

I think you can coach a group, but you should be giving feedback to individuals.

[denbydale]

" Community Orienteering Leader Award" - I've got it from a day course at Durham - intended for club nights and I think covers most if not all of Neil's "stuff" at least from an insurance position - it doesn't have any First Aid in though.
"

According to BOF it does
In order to become licensed by British Orienteering, holders of the COLA must hold a first aid certificate. Here is a summary of what British Orienteering considers to be an appropriate first aid qualification.

The First aid certificate must be current. Some First Aid certificates have an expiry date. In order for a First Aid certificate to be recognised by British Orienteering is must still be in date.

the First aid certificate must be valid: There are a number of different First Aid certificates on the open market. British orienteering does not which one you complete as long as it covers the following topics

Understanding the role of the first aider.
Communicating effectively and managing an incident.
Looking after yourself and the casualty.
Assessing the situation and circumstances in order to act safely, promptly and effectively in an emergency.
Administering cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) promptly and effectively.
Administering First Aid safely, promptly and effectively to an unconscious casualty.
Administering First Aid safely, promptly and effectively to a casualty who: 1. is choking 2. is bleeding 3. is in shock.
Providing appropriate First Aid for minor injuries.
Reporting accidents in the appropriate manner.

[AndyC]

You'll note we had/have First Aiders who aren't coaches involved to ensure good coverage - and I picked up a suitable qualification myself recently that covers the list above rather well

[andypat]

Andy C sounds like you have done a COLA course but arent qualified to use it as you dont fulfil the first aid qualification requirements. Isnt this the same for coaches?

9.30-10.00 MAROC coaching in the club Jon Musgrave Lecture theatre

You know you've made it when they name a lecture theatre after you!

[bewildered]

The conversation has been the same both times

"I hear you are doing some interesting things at your club night.. could you come and tell us about them?"

"Yes we do (see http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/home/Neil_Crickmore/SARC/SARC%20Activities.pdf ) and I'm happy to talk about them, but they are not really coaching activities"

"You're right, not quite what we are looking for, thanks but we will try someone else"

I think Neil's exercises are great, if a bit complicated to replicate. I've seen them before and wondered how they might translate into the Community Night I run.

Are they coaching - yes - if there is a coaching aim related to each exercise and explained to the participants.

For example, I also do lots of indoor cones exercises using SI. These teach map orientation and route choice. You can move on to introducing thumbing the map as well. Participants can also have a go at planning their own routes - with some advice on route choice options in planning.

I think these would have been great in the Coaching Conference 2 years ago, when covering TD1/2. If Neil had presented them within a coaching framework.

[bewildered]

Going back to the lack of subsidy for the coaching conference and, I expect, the events conference next year. I think that BOF are interested in supporting a different set of volunteers. Coaches and event organisers do things for current orienteers, not, in my interpretation of their view, new participants.

So, I expect to see lots of support for 20 year old "Activators" (yes, they don't want older people introducing newcomers to orienteering as we aren't "in touch" with the yoof - which may be true in some cases) for the new "products" that BOF want to introduce to increase participation (which I generally think are really good ideas!) and no support for those supporting the mainstream sport of orienteering.

I'd like to be proved wrong.

[SeanC]

Don't forget that the "products" and "activators" are part of the SportEngland bid and this would (if successful) be SportEngland money. Quite understandable that SportEngland money would be spent on getting new people into sport.

I'm told that there's evidence that people prefer activities or coaching organised by people their own age. This seems only common sense. Lots of orienteers have aged quite well, but when I was a twenty something with lots of social life options I wouldn't have been too enthusiastic about spending my free time with a lot of people in their 40's to 60's. Now I'm in that age range I'm just happy to get out once in a while.

The trick for mainstream O is not to ignore these "products" but troll along and promote the local real/technical orienteering. They'll be some that will be getting bored with the easy stuff and looking for a technical challenge. When they turn up to mainstream O that's when good O club coaching could be really handy.. to get these people to be able to do TD4/5 orienteering with limited mistakes as soon as possible. I think lots of people seem to give up at this stage because they think they don't have an aptitude for navigation, when really they just need a bit of coaching.

[Big Jon]

I'm told that there's evidence that people prefer activities or coaching organised by people their own age.

A bit hard on the 9 year old beginner