This quick guide is intended to provide additional information, specific to SCA clubs, to understand and adapt to the changes to the BCU coaching scheme.

What has changed?

In October 2007, the BCU commenced the introduction of a new coaching scheme, including new performance awards (star tests and Paddle Power), coaching awards and safety awards.  The changes to the coaching scheme have been developed over a number of years following the recommendations of the Paddlesport Review (2000), looking at the wider issues and long term needs of the sport in all its forms.  Included in the consultation process was all four home nation coaching committees.  The SCA Coaching Committee, including the volunteer RCOs, played a significant role and many of the pilot courses were held in Scotland.

The key changes are:

• New coaching awards at Levels 1 and 2 are generic which allows coaches to coach in a variety of disciplines.
• Level 3 is more focused on coaching for long term learning
• Coaching awards are endorsed UK Coaching Certificate and part of the national qualifications framework
• 1 and 2 star award are now generic and involve assessment in both canoe and kayak
• Other significant changes to star tests are:
  
  • 3 star now discipline specific (canoe, white water, surf, touring and sea)
  • New 4 and 5 star now include leadership elements
• Provision of safety awards overhauled and expanded across all recreational disciplines (canoe, white water, surf and sea)
• Terminology of those delivering Coach Education courses mean former “A” grades become Training Directors and Tutors at various levels.
• Paddlepower fully adopted in Scotland

Modular Format Coaching Courses

The UKCC courses are flexible.  These courses can be run in a modular fashion over a series of weekends or even single sessions (e.g. evenings) with up to 3 months to complete the whole process.  The 2star/FSRT pre-requisites can be covered during the course or as additional modules along with the course making the course not only flexible but also very accessible.

Awards Structure

Bank Based / Boat Based

Unlike the old system, it is now possible to gain a coaching award as a bank based coach.  Candidates who do not hold the required personal performance award (e.g. 2 or 3 star) may still complete the Level 1 or 2 coaching awards as bank based coaches.  Options exist to transfer to boat based at a later date if they wish.

Transferring Existing Coaching Qualifications

Club Coaches with existing BCU qualifications can remain coaching within their remit indefinitely, provided they remain updated (i.e. attend a coach update event every 3 years and hold a valid first aid certificate).

However, a range of options exist for coaches wishing to transfer to the new scheme. Some benefits include

• Personal Development; the UKCC endorsed awards may provide coaches with the opportunity to develop certain aspects of their skill set
• Increased remit; for example the BCU (UKCC) Level 1 and 2 awards qualifies coaches to work with paddlers in any craft
• Increased recognition; the UKCC endorsed awards meet nationally set standards for coaching, and as consequently are likely to be valued higher by employers and clients.  Candidates in Scotland receive dual certification with Scottish Qualifications Authority.
• Demand led; due to the establishment of a national set of standards for sports coaching, some employers may require the UKCC endorsed qualification
• Remaining Current; Coaches may want their skills recognised on the same scale as new coaches coming through
  

The choice to transfer lies entirely with the candidate.  The process will involve an element of assessment against the new assessment criteria, taking into consideration the candidates’ previous experience and qualifications.  When a Coach transfers they will not lose other BCU Coaching Qualifications that they may also hold.

Leadership or coaching  

The new performance awards introduce the option for individuals to lead a group without holding any coaching awards.  Leading is defined as providing leadership to a group, competent in the environment and craft.

Coaching is introducing new skills and improving existing skills in the participant.

This differentiation between coaching and leading may be beneficial to clubs and the new 4 or 5 star leadership awards may be sufficient for some of the activities in clubs.  The BCU Terms of Reference document, available from the coaching resources page, outlines the coaching remit for each qualification and the difference between coaching and leading.  This should assist you in planning trips and coaching sessions.  Any Coaches who were previously able to lead trips by virtue of their existing BCU coaching awards, can continue to do so as their existing awards remain valid.

Assessing the new Performance Awards

The changes to the performance awards requires that all coaches re-register to confirm eligibility to assess.  Many hundreds of SCA coaches have already done so. If you have yet to register, the form is available here.

If you are a single discipline coach (e.g. Level 2 Kayak, Level 2 Canoe etc) and don’t already hold a minimum of old 2 star in both canoe and kayak, but wish to assess the new generic 2 star, then the simplest way is to gain this new 2 star.  This will then allow you to register to assess 2 star.

Accessing Coach Education courses

Whilst the terminology may have changed, the format to access courses for clubs remains similar. Clubs can book on advertised courses from a range of providers, or approach a course provider directly to request a bespoke course at a time and in a location to suit. Contact details for all coaching award providers are available from our website.

Coaching Remit  

The BCU UKCC Level 1 Coach can plan, deliver and review short coaching sessions; normally with the support of a more qualified coach.  They can work with paddlers at any stage of development; receiving specific training to coach paddlers in their first year of activity and to run taster sessions.

The BCU UKCC Level 2 Coach is able to plan, deliver, and review a series of six progressive sessions safely and effectively.  Like the Level 1, this non-discipline-specific award is relevant to coaches who wish to coach any paddlesport discipline.  Level 2 Coaches will work with paddlers predominantly in their first 3 years of paddling activity.  The Level 2 Coach is able to offer guidance and support to the Level 1 Coach.

The BCU offer additional modules for Level 1 and 2 Coaches who wish to coach Canoe Slalom, Freestyle, Racing, Polo, Surf, and Wild Water Racing. Contact your Home Nation Association for further details.

The Moderate Water endorsement enables BCU UKCC Level 2 coaches take their coaching abilities into the moderate water environment.  The coaching is the same – it’s just that it takes place in a more challenging environment.  This therefore widens the coaching remit and is likely to be the majority of coaches in the future.

BCU UKCC Level 3 Coach is a discipline specialist Coach who is able to plan, implement, and analyse long-term development programmes.  From Level 3 onwards, coaches will specialise in one or more of the disciplines or environments listed below.

• White Water Kayaking
• Surf
• Slalom
• Open Canoeing
• Sea
• Polo
• Wild Water Racing
• Sheltered Water
• Freestyle
• Racing
  

The Four Star Leader is able to take groups of ‘competent’ paddlers on moderate water journeys.  Competent refers to paddlers who do not require skills coaching to be in/on the given environment, the Awards are not Coaching Awards and are not deemed suitable for introducing beginners to the sport.  Four Star Leaders are expected to be able to judge environmental conditions and the standard of the group and make appropriate decisions about journey choice.  Leaders are responsible for ensuring they have 3rd party liability insurance in place, knowledge of child protection guidelines and good practice, including checks where necessary, and maintain evidence of currency.

Coaches with ‘old scheme’ qualifications continue to hold the same remit.

Full details of coaching and leadership remits is available from the BCU Terms of Reference Document available from the coaching resources page.

Equipment

To address the issue that some SCA clubs may not already have both canoes and kayaks, and therefore have difficulty in delivering the new generic performance awards, the SCA secured external funding in 2008 and purchased a fleet of open canoes as well as polo boats, freestyle boats and wavehoppers, along with trailers.  This equipment is available to any SCA club to borrow.  Further information available on our website.  Alternatively, many clubs have made arrangements with other local clubs, outdoor centres or commercial centres who are able to lend the equipment required.  The SCA club e-group also provides a mechanism for clubs to offer and request assistance such as equipment from other clubs.

Funding

A range of support exists for coaches in clubs.

• Club Coach Development Fund – funding up to 50% of coaching award pre-requisites such as Foundation Safety and Rescue, 2,3, and 4 star. Some clubs have bee successful in applications to this fund for 100% of tutor fees where a number of club coaches complete the training.
• Coaching Scholarships of up to 75% are available, capped at £200 for Level 1, £300 for Level 2, £150 for Level 2 transfer and £50 for Level 1 transfer. Candidates must meet some eligibility criteria, mainly being an SCA member completing the course in Scotland.
• Local Sports Councils and Local Authority sports departments often have coaching development funds – contact them to find out more. To find out the contact in your region, contact us.
• Other sponsorship such as Awards for All provide a range of opportunities for clubs and some SCA clubs have been able to secure funding from a range of sources to minimise the cost to candidates.
  

Recruiting new Coaches

Recruiting new coaches could now be much quicker as the time required to gain the pre-requisites is greatly reduced from the old scheme.  Candidates can enter as bank based coaches if they do not hold the necessary pre-requisites to complete a boat based option.

3 Star

Candidates wishing to be assessed at 3 star level are not necessarily required to hold the generic 2 star.  However, candidates wishing to enter the coaching scheme will need to hold the 2 Star Award as a prerequisite.

Accredited Prior Learning  

With the introduction of the new awards, the BCU also introduced a process to recognise experience and other training.  The ‘Accredited Prior Learning’ process allows coaches to apply for exemption from particular pre-requisites or training for example where they have equivalent experience.  An example would be allowing direct entry to BCU UKCC Level 2 Training. Further details are available from our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are the new coaching awards dual discipline?  We are a single discipline club.
A: The dual discipline nature of the courses provide a deeper and fuller understanding of paddle sport empowering coaches and increasing both coaching skill and personal paddling.  The course content and program are fantastic providing a fun, extensive and practical coaching knowledge that serve to equip new and old coaches alike.

Q: Why should paddlers enter the coaching scheme?
A: The courses are flexible, support is available (finances, equipment and tutors) and the course content is excellent.  Your personal paddling and coaching habits will benefit and you will be in a position to give back to the sport that you love.  The question is really, “Why not join the coaching scheme?”

Q: I'm an old Level 2/3, why should I transfer if my award will remain recognised indefinitely?"
A: Coaches should transfer their qualifications to the UKCC endorsed awards where they see value in so doing.  However, coaches may transfer for a number of reasons such as Personal Development, Increased remit, Increased recognition; Demand led; Remaining Current.  The choice to transfer lies entirely with the candidate.  The process will involve an element of assessment against the new assessment criteria, taking into consideration the candidates’ previous experience and qualifications.  When a Coach transfers they will not lose other BCU Coaching Qualifications that they may also hold.

If you still have queries, you should contact your Regional Coaching Organiser (RCO) to discuss your specific queries. Contact details for all RCOs are available in the SCA yearbook and here.