Q What are the main differences between the previous ASA qualifications and those developed in line with UKCC standards?
There are four major differences:
· Swimming Coaching and Teaching are now split into two separate strands and sit alongside the other strands of Diving, Synchronised Swimming and Water Polo
· The UKCC education pathway enables a candidate to become qualified to teach or coach different types of athletes, from the beginner to elite. The candidate then has the option of specialising within a specific age group category and discipline i.e. a candidate can progress from UKCC Level 1 to Level 4 with any age of athlete
· At Levels 1 and 2 there is a greater importance on ‘how to coach’ rather than ‘what to coach’
· The Teaching strand will have a greater emphasis on a multi-disciplined approach – Diving /Swimming Coaching/Synchronised Swimming/Water Polo. Teachers will be assessed on their ability to deliver skills and drills associated with all four aquatic disciplines
Q What does the UKCC Level 1 qualify me to do?
A UKCC Level 1 Coach will be able to deliver a pre-prepared session prepared by a more senior coach.
Q What swimmers are needed for the Level 1 course?
UKCC Coaching Level 1 Unit 1 does not have to have swimmers for the practical parts, but Unit 2 requires access to swimmers from a Swim 21, SwiMark or Dragon Mark club or a club working towards these.
Q What courses are available now?
Level 1 Coaching Diving
Coaching Swimming
Coaching Synchronised Swimming
Coaching Water Polo
Teaching Aquatics
Level 2 Coaching Diving
Coaching Swimming
Coaching Water Polo
Coaching Synchronised Swimming Units 1, 2 & 3 only
Teaching Aquatics
Level 3 Coaching Swimming
Unit 1-6 for Coaching Diving
Unit 1-6 for Coaching Synchronised Swimming
Unit 1-6 for Coaching Water Polo
Q When will Swimming Teaching be available?
This course is now referred to as Teaching Aquatics. Levels 1 & 2 are available now and Level 3 will follow.
Q What do I have to do to stay qualified?
Nothing, all current and past qualifications will remain valid.
Q What is the length of the coaching courses?
Level 1 – approximately 30 hours
Level 2 – approximately 90 hours
Level 3 – Units 1-10 approximately 18 days
Unit 11 approximately 8 hours practical assessment
Q How much will the new courses cost?
Level 1
There is no standardised cost for the course or individual units. This will vary between Approved Centres and availability of local funding opportunities. There is a standard ASA Awarding Body registration fee, which is £50.
Level 2
There is no standardised cost for the course or individual units. This will vary between Approved Centres and availability of local funding opportunities. There is a standard ASA Awarding Body registration fee, which is £75.
Level 3
The qualification will cost £1800. This is split as follows:
o £100 ASA Awarding Body registration fee at initial enrolment onto the programme
o £125 for each of Units 1 to 10 payable at unit registration
o £450 for Unit 11 payable at unit registration
Q Why are the UKCC Levels more expensive?
The sports coach UK delivery licence is part of a massive overhaul of teacher and coach education across sports in Britain. Swimming is working closely with Sportscoach UK to develop a framework to recruit and support current and potential coaches to create a sporting legacy that goes beyond the 2012 Games. Key to this achievement is the provision of high quality sporting opportunities for children, players and athletes at all stages of their development.
By falling in line with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), who regulate and develop educational qualifications and UKCC requirements, it means qualifications are acknowledged outside of sport as part of a National Qualifications Framework. It is a major step towards swimming coaching and teaching being recognised as a serious career choice with a designated pathway.
Courses meeting the UKCC standard are structured and resourced in a completely different way to the previous ASA courses. There are far more comprehensive Quality Assurance mechanisms involved in assessing each candidate. Each course has resources, which are constantly being reviewed and updated for the tutors to deliver and therefore enhance the learning experience.
Approved Centres delivering UKCC accredited qualifications need to ensure that training resources meet minimum criteria; there is on-going training for their tutors; incorporated internal verification processes and appropriate advice and guidance given to all candidates. The ASA awarding body has a monitoring and evaluation function for all Approved Centres ensuring they meet the minimum criteria laid down.
The ASA is fully committed to “raising the bar” and feels that the UKCC will benefit the participants and the sport.
Q Why should volunteers take these qualifications?
Individuals who already hold an ASA qualification do not have to take a UKCC accredited qualification. However, if an individual wishes to further their education then there is a matrix to show what their next step would be. Those who are new into sport need to ensure they are appropriately qualified.
Q How can a club find funds to help volunteers and staff to take these qualifications?
Any candidate can apply for financial assistance to help him/her with their payments. This assistance may be available through the Regional ASA, County ASA, ASA Club or Local Authority. It is suggested that clubs contact their Regional Development Officer to find out more avenues for funding.
Clubs should identify a training budget to support volunteers and professionals involved with the club. Ultimately it is the participants in the club who will benefit from higher quality teachers and coaches
The ASA is currently working closely with the Learning and Skills Council (the government agency which funds adult education) to try and secure long term sustainable funding, such as accessing funding for candidates eligible for “train to gain”.
Q How will I be assessed?
Level 1 Multi choice examination, practical delivery, oral questioning and written assessments
Level 2 There will be assessment through written examinations, practical delivery, oral questioning and written assessments
Level 3 There will be assessment through written examinations, practical delivery and written assessments
Q Can I move across to another UKCC discipline?
Yes is the easy answer. A process has been put in place whereby you only need to take the sport specific units in the new sport to gain the qualification.
For example: If I were qualified as a UKCC Level 2 Diving Coach and then decided I wished to gain an equivalent qualification level in Water Polo, then all I would have to do is pass Unit 2 Water Polo at Level 1 and then pass Units 4, 5 and 6 in Water Polo at Level 2.
Level 1 Unit 1 is a core unit
Unit 2 is sport specific
Level 2 Units 1/2/3 are core units
Units 4/5 are sport specific
Unit 6 is sport specific vocational assessment
Level 3 Unit 1/2/3/4/5/6 are core units
Units 7/8/9/20 are sports specific
Unit 11 is sport specific vocational assessment
Q How do my existing ASA qualifications fit into the new UKCC qualifications?
Click here to see a matrix which will provide advice and guidance.
Q When will Levels 4 and 5 be available?
Levels 4 and 5 are being discussed at a European level. Once a decision has been made, recommendations will be given to all National Governing Bodies in Britain and a decision taken as to the probable content of these two levels. It is envisaged that Level 4 will be available as a course during 2008. Level 5 will possibly be available from January 2009. It is also envisaged that there WILL NOT be a level 4 or Level 5 swimming teacher qualification.
Q How does Teacher Licensing fit in with UKCC?
The UKCC is a mandatory aspect of the ASA Licence scheme. A person cannot hold an ASA licence if they do not hold a UKCC or ASA qualification.
Q Can Approved Centres deliver UKCC courses?
Approved Centres need to apply for additional approval. A link with an ASA affiliated Club accredited for Swim 21 or working towards Swim 21 is required to organise and deliver ASA/UKCC Coaching Courses in respect of the practical aspects of both Level 1 (Unit 2) and Level 2. Click here to visit ‘download forms’ for the application form.
