The new dates for Level 1 & 2 Coach Education courses are now available to book on the Inspire2coach website. There are 4 level 1 courses at Redbridge, The Deanes School, Harlow LTC and Essex Golf and Country Club.
http://www.inspire2coach.co.uk/coach-education/level-1-2012/
Level 2 courses will be provided at Deanes and Redbridge, the link below gives further details:
http://www.inspire2coach.co.uk/coach-education/level-2-2012/
Courses are open to all age ranges and the article below is written by Yvonne Faux who passed the recent level 1 course at Harlow, and gives a personal insight into the course and what is expected of candidates...
"It was with fear and trepidation that I made my way to Harlow to participate in a level one Coaching Assistant’s Course. As an older participant, (the oldest!) I had many anxieties but as I soon realized anxiety and being forced outside of one’s comfort zone transcends all age groups and most of us felt nervous.
The course is split into three days and the focus is very much on “what we can help you achieve” rather than what you can do already. My main concern was whether my tennis skills were of a high enough standard, both throughout the course and, if successful, later when assisting with lessons. Fortunately we were all asked to play with our non-dominant hand, which was a great leveller (there were some, however, who were better than me even with their non-dominant hand!). We were also informed that the main qualities of a good coach at level one are patience, empathy and enthusiasm – so there was hope for me because I certainly have the empathy bit!
The course started with some fun icebreakers and soon led into an invaluable sharing of knowledge and experience from the two tutors, Lynn O’Brien and Luke Greenway. There was a good mix of theory and practice with plenty of opportunity for questions. I found the homework quite challenging – having to prepare a twenty minute lesson for the next morning. After the eight hour course and travelling home all I wanted to do was crash in front of the X Factor but my daughter assured me I could do it after a few “I just can’t do it” exclamations! (Quite an amusing role reversal!)
On the second day we were split into groups and had the chance to deliver our ‘practice’ lesson, which was nerve racking and it felt awkward addressing seventeen to twenty-three year olds as though they were five! Between day two and day three we had to spend three hours coaching at our clubs so this helped to a certain extent. We were given a handbook with information and strategies to improve our confidence and a workbook to complete. We were given lesson planning literature, website information and the chance to e-mail the tutors should we require assistance. We had a month in which to complete this so that was achievable.
By the third day I felt that our little group had become ‘buddies’ – although my daughter didn’t appreciate me using the language of my new ‘best friends’ and told me never to use ‘sic’ again! The support of our group certainly helped when it came to delivering the practical part of our course. I did ‘wobble’ slightly after the morning’s session which was led by Stuart, a level five coach from Sheffield. He was immensely skilled at organising large groups on court and managing scenarios of ‘difficult’ behaviour. His professionalism heightened my own sense of inferiority but his intention was to equip us with the skills necessary when dealing with the children at our clubs! He told us, however, that we would fail the practical element of the course if our ‘lesson’ didn’t flow or if we didn’t complete all the components of the lesson – so the pressure was on!
I am proud to say that everyone in our group of six passed and we were all thrilled and relieved but I suppose the hard work starts now! I really enjoyed the experience, from having lunch in the sunshine on the decking at Harlow to having nothing to concentrate on all day other than tennis – bliss!"
Yvonne passed the Level 1 in November 2011 and is now assisting at her local club.