Operations Manual

3.0 Coaching

3.1 Introductory Coaching Programme

The Club will conduct periodic reviews of the general membership's paddling competencies to assure that coach:pupil ratios are sustained at levels appropriate to continued safe and effective operations. Formal training sessions will only be given by qualified coaches. When instructing beginners, coaches must be particularly cognisant of operating within the Club's rules for paddling. Club members that do not hold formal coaching qualification will be dissuaded from implying, or giving the impression, they are giving formal instruction unless they are operating under the supervision of a Club coach within the session. This is particularly applicable to young and/or new members who may not be familiar individual coach's qualification.

The Club will identify qualified coaches and publicise this data to the general membership. It remains incumbent on the general membership to distinguish between formal instruction received from coaches and informal guidance that may be offered by other Club members.  

3.2 Coach Development

The Club will establish and maintain a coach development programme with the purpose of:

1. Encouraging Club members into the coaching scheme, and
2. Providing opportunities and facilities to develop the skill set of existing coaches.

3.3 Coaching Guidelines

The minimum experience/competency to qualify as a Club coach is:

1. Hold a current BCU Coaching Qualification (or be qualified through an alternative scheme recognised to be equivalent to BCU Level 2T coach or higher).
2. Taken part in first-aid course that covers the following: resuscitation, drowning, secondary drowning, hypothermia, epilepsy and dressing wounds. A minimum of four hours should be spent on this. This can be taken with an outside organisation such as Red Cross. This should be reassessed at intervals of not more than three years (if a Red Cross or St. John's certificate is used to comply with this, the certificate must be kept up to date).
3. Has gained experience of the site.

Coaches should always remain within the limitations of their Coaching status as prescribed by the BCU. Coaching guidelines are provided at Annex L), and will be made available to all Club coaches.

3.4 Coach Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance

A list of current Club coaches extracted from the Club membership database is provided at Annex D). Professional indemnity and public liability insurance for Club coaches is provided by the BCU as part of their membership.

Coaches are responsible for ensuring the Club's database correctly reflects both their BCU membership number and their coaching qualifications. Coaches are also responsible for ensuring their individual currency for items such as BCU forum attendance, first aid, canoe safety training etc. to meet the requirements of the Club's Coaching Guidelines above (Section 3.3).

3.5 Coach Code of Conduct

In addition to the Club's rules, the Club will draw up a Code of Conduct for all Club coaches. These will be based on BCU guideline material, adapted as necessary to suit the aims of the Club. Copies of the Club Codes of Conduct can be found at Annex B). In addition to the Club's codes of practice, all coaches and officials are advised to familiarise themselves with the BCU Coaching Code (provided at Annex L) and to conduct their activities according to this code.

3.6 Coach/Officials' Duties

Coaches are responsible for the conduct of formal training sessions and ensuring paddlers attending those sessions do so in accordance with the Club rules, guidance and procedures. All coaching sessions are conducted on a volunteer basis, so those attending the sessions must observe coach:pupil ratios and arrange the session accordingly.

Club members with aquatic first-aid qualifications (not limited to just coaches) will be requested to support Sherborne School pool training sessions, on a rotational basis. When nominated for the session, the individual(s) will provide the first-aid cover obligated by Sherborne School under their terms for pool hire. The Committee will draw up the rota and advise the individuals concerned.