We are working on a programme to update our coaching system. The aim of this is to meet the demands of the sport from both the voluntary and commercial sectors and to reflect these in a new BWS Coaching Framework that meets UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) standards.

• Why UKCC?
Backed by the sports councils and the sports industry as a whole the UK Coaching Certificate is respected as the coaching standard in sport. Whilst water skiing obviously has its own technical requirements the UKCC also brings to the sport teaching principles and structure that will mean a better experience on the water and greater achievement for skiers and riders. Increased tutoring and examination standards are part of this and the BWS coaching awards will feature on the national qualifications framework (QCF). As such they can become part of both the education structure and mainstream coaching which will mean more, better qualified coaches available to skiers and riders for their introduction to the sport and further improvement up to the highest level.

The UKCC has 4 coaching levels, though few sports have put in level 4 yet, which is at degree level. It is likely our BWS UKCC awards will be at levels 2 and 3 with a level 1 non UKCC initial award.

• Who is funding this?
Our programme is being funded through Sport England as part of their increase in support to the sport, which backs our PE & Sports Strategy for Young People (PESSYP) schools programme and Excel Talent Development programme, as BWS combines with other sports to work towards the Sport England Grow, Sustain and Excel outcomes in the build up to 2012. We also have support in developing our framework from Sportcoach UK, Skills Active and the National Skills Academy as well as County Sport Partnerships.

• What will this mean to me as an Instructor / Coach?
The opportunity to improve in a structured environment and obtain recognised qualifications. Existing Instructors and Coaches will retain qualifications as we map these across on to the new structure, so no-one is going to lose out but as these expire the upgrade will be to the new coaching awards. If you currently teach or examine courses then the UKCC is stricter than our present system, because the qualifications to be awarded will be on the National Qualifications & Credit Framework, so we will be running tutor and examiner courses to enable you to meet these standards.

• So what will be different?
The successful establishment of the Cutting Edge skier and rider development programmes has given us a platform to work from and the coaching levels will mirror this with a level 2 coach able to tutor a skier or rider up to the silver level in water skiing and wakeboard. Behind the boat at this level 2 the proposal is this will be one qualification combining water skiing and wakeboard as nearly all sites and centres encounter both disciplines and because of the similarities of the sport at beginner level.

For level 3 water skiing and wakeboard behind the boat the proposal is each discipline will have its own syllabus. The Cable has its own coaching requirements so again the suggestion is there will be wakeboard levels 2 & 3 coaching awards specific to Cable. Also we know that not everyone wants to just coach a higher standard of skier or rider so we are keen to have awards that allow coaches to become, for example, better coaches of beginners or children at the next level up.

• What about Racing, Barefoot, Kneeboard & Disabled?
Unfortunately the low existing numbers of coaches in these disciplines means that the costs of developing UKCC awards for each of these disciplines is just not affordable, but obviously there will be the resources available from water skiing and wakeboard should these discipline committees wish to develop these themselves. The British Disabled Water Ski Association (BDWSA) have their own coaching awards to reflect the specific skills required in coaching disabled skiers and riders.

• When will all this happen?
Our funding for this project covers the next Sport England four year funding cycle (2009 - 2013) and this is the period it has taken other sports to get their UKCC Coaching Frameworks up and running. Obviously though these new coaching qualifications will come on line as we progress them through the QCF and UKCC criteria.

• What happens in the meantime?
The existing coaching structure stays in place and, as stated above, any qualifications awarded until we have the new system will map across.

• What will the difference be between voluntary and professional coaching awards?
The proposal is the voluntary awards are aimed at coaches working in member run clubs or centres and giving their time, without reward, to coach schools, newcomers and fellow members alike. The courses will give them all the skills to do this to ensure they deliver high quality coaching in this voluntary capacity. If a candidate intends to work in the industry for reward (financial or otherwise) then the professional awards will reflect the increased demands of commercial activity and prepare candidates for these. As such commercial awards will have a larger syllabus and the courses will entail more water time for candidates to prove their coaching ability. It is the intention that commercial awards will also come with increased insurance cover as, at the moment, BWS insurance does not cover any instructing or coaching where the coach is rewarded. In speaking to the commercial sector of the water ski and wakeboard industry (clubs, centres, ski schools and holiday companies) they are all keen to adopt the professional coaching awards and will expect these from applicants for employment and existing employees to upgrade. It is envisaged it will be possible to upgrade from voluntary to professional awards.

Please click here to see what the BWS Coaching Framework could look like. It is based on the Skier / Rider participation pathway which determines the way a skier or rider interacts with the sport and where. The Coaching Framework is then setup to service the needs of skiers and riders through their time in the sport.

• Want to give some feedback?
If you have any comments on the proposals, ideas or points you would like to raise please email these to coaching@bwsf.co.uk and these well be discussed by the Coaching Steering Group in considering the development of the BWS Coaching Framework.