what is coaching?
Coaching is teaching new and current players to play croquet.
Most players are taught by club members whether they are a trained coach or not, experienced players or not.
One of the benefits Croquet Australia gives us is a well researched coaching program that club members can be accredited to deliver a progressive, quality training for club members.
quality
We are familiar with coaches in major sports - football, tennis, cricket, golf - training of people in "correct" technique and tactics as they strive to improve their game. (Some of us watch our favourite footballers and wish that they were trained to kick straight for goal!)
In all sports there are basic techniques and tactics that have been proven to be the best way to achieve the best outcome when hitting, throwing and bowling a ball. In croquet, whether you play Association or Golf Croquet, there are basic techniques for hitting a ball with a mallet.
Throughout Australia we have a proven program that trains croquet players in the best ways to hit a ball in different ways.
Progression
Like anything we learn in life it is best to start with simple things and gradually progress to more difficult things. The Australia wide training program has five tiers, from coaches who train beginners in croquet through to coaches who are trained to train beginners through to highly experienced players.
"In February 2009 the Australian Sports Commission accepted the content, administrative details and coaching methods of the ACA's Coach-training programmes for inclusion in the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS). The National Coaching Director (NCD), John Riches, is in the process of writing the Programme Manuals for Levels 2 and 3.
From now on the Orientation (Aussie Croquet) and Beginner Coaching courses will be recognised by the ACA but not be part of the NCAS.
The responsibility for ensuring that Beginner and Level 1 coaches achieve and maintain suitable standards of expertise as set out in the Coaching Programmes is delegated to the State Coaching Directors. The NCD will have more direct involvement and responsibility for the standards of Level 2 coaching and coach training, especially in states where the SCD is not accredited at Level 2; though some responsibility can be delegated to an authorised coach trainer with Level 2 accreditation. The NCD will take full responsibility for the standard of Level 3 coaching and coach training, though that again may be partly delegated to an authorised coach trainer with Level 3 accreditation.
what is the coaching organisation?
Croquet Coach training operates as part of the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS), which covers over 80 different sports throughout Australia and is managed by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).
Croquet Australia has a five-tiered Coach Training Program which is outlined below and except for the Orientation Coach Training Course, the Level 1, 2 and 3 courses are registered and accredited with the ASC. They are reviewed every four years."
ORIENTATION COACHING COURSE
This is a non-NCAS-accredited course.
Training coaches in Aussie Croquet which is a modified game for school students and non-member adults.
The course is of 3 hours duration, all of which is Aussie Croquet specific.
BEGINNER COACHING COURSE
This is a non-NCAS-accredited course.
Training coaches to teach beginner croquet players in their first few lessons and then continue to teach and reinforce the basic skills of hitting a ball and progressing around the hoops in order.
The course is of 5 hours duration, all of which is croquet specific.
LEVEL 1 COACH TRAINING COURSE
Training coaches to progress croquet players beyond the elementary skills and tactics of the sport.
The croquet specific part of the course is of 10 hours duration.
The Beginner Coaching Course and 6 months coaching practice plus the Level 1 General Sport Principles* Course must be successfully completed before the Level 1 Coach Training Course may be undertaken.
LEVEL 2 COACH TRAINING COURSE
Training coaches to teach croquet players the intermediate skills and tactics of the sport. The course is entirely croquet specific and is of 60 hours duration.
The Level 1 Coaching Training Course plus 12 months coaching practice at Level 1 and the Level 2 General Sport Principles Course must be successfully completed before this course may be undertaken.
This course may be undertaken either with a mentor, or as a correspondence course to be completed within 12 months and assessed by the NCD.
LEVEL 3 COACH TRAINING COURSE
Training coaches to teach croquet players tertiary skills and tactics of the sport.
The course is entirely croquet specific and is of approximately 60 hours duration.
The level 2 coach training course plus 12 months coaching practice at level 2 must be successfully completed before the level 3 coach training course may be undertaken.
The course is a correspondence course to be completed over 12 months under the supervision of the NCD.
QUADRENNIAL UPDATING POINTS
Sufficient updating points must be accumulated over each 4 year period as determined by croquet Australia before re-registration at Beginner and levels 1, 2 and 3, plus the registration fee, as determined from time to time by the Australian Sports Commission, paid and all relevant paperwork completed before the registration will be acknowledged.
What is the "General Sports Principles?"
General Principles are not specific to croquet. They are those coaching skills that are common in all sports.
General Principles includes a simple introduction to sports science concepts and further information on the science of teaching.
The principles cover:
The essence of coaching; Introduction to physiology; Program management; Basic anatomy and biomechanics; Planning; Development and maturation; Sports safety; Nutrition for sport; Coaching processes; Sport psychology; Inclusive coaching; Anti-doping in sport; Skill acquisition.
who can become a registered coach?
All registered Croquet players over the age of sixteen years may undertake Croquet Coach training at Beginner Level and Levels 1, 2 and 3. While most of the Orientation Coaches are presently registered croquet players, it is hoped that Phys. Ed. Teachers, parents and even older students will train to become Aussie Croquet Coaches.
how do I become a coach?
Each Australian State has an appointed State Coaching Director (SCD) who is listed under State Associations. This should be your first contact as this person can give you all of the information regarding the courses and the fees, plus any course pre-requisites required of you.
In Victoria, George Latham (Essendon) is the current State Director of Coaching. He is supported by a Coaching Committee all of whom are accredited Level 2 coaches and have been previous State Directors of Coaching - Stephen Forster (Belmont - Geelong), Kenn Boal (Rich River) and Adrian Masterman-Smith (Williamstown).
can coaches do private coaching?
Coaches are expected to provide a reasonable amount of coaching at their own club free of charge. They are also asked to assist the sport by coaching at other clubs which do not have registered coaches.
In the case of country clubs without a registered coach, while there is no charge for coaching, the club or its members are expected to at least reimburse travelling expenses and to provide a billet (if needed) for a coach representing the state association.
Registered coaches may offer tuition to individuals or groups of players from whom a fee may be charged.
The fees recommended by the ACA as reasonable are:
$10 per hour for individual coaching
$15 per hour for coaching two players together
$20 per hour for coaching more than two players in a group.
In addition, the players would be expected to cover the coach's travelling costs and any lawn fees required by the club.
It is recommended that coaches not charge for coaching of members of their own club.
NOTE: The above fees are likely to be increased in April 2009, and they are nothing more than "recommended fees". Any coach may negotiate fees either smaller or larger than the recommended fee.
Would you like your prospective and current club members to take advantage of this excellent coaching program?
Contact Details for Players, Clubs and Regions in Victoria
George Latham
State Coaching Director
PO Box 103
Corryong Vic 3707
t. 02 6076 1007
m. 0409 233 789
e: secretary@croquetvic.asn.au
Acknowledgements: Croquet Australia through their Website; NCAS through their Website
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