BCUNA 2007Updates.

February 2007

2007 – A year of Transition.

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As reported in our last bulletin, 2007 is a year of transition for the BCU Coaching Service. Over the year a new coach education scheme is to be introduced in the UK and the Star Award scheme will see revisions to syllabus requirements – see below for more information and updates!

Also reported in our last bulletin - Proposed North American Coach Conference

North American Coach Conference

April 6th – 9th 2007 – Deception Pass – Washington State

A two-day conference on the Challenges of Coach Education and the key role that coaches have in ensuring that the BCU can move forward in an integrated and co-ordinated way. The conference will cover an introduction to the BCU’s changes to coach education, tutor training and the Star Awards. Existing assessors will have the opportunity to update to the new assessor requirements. An optional third day is available for an open boat program which can cover training and assessment for qualified candidates.

We plan to hold a second Coach Conference on the East Coast later this year. Information will be posted on the website when available.

See website for program and booking details.

How are these changes going to affect things in North America?

Where BCU awards are delivered overseas and therefore not subject to the UKCC time line we have decided that we will introduce the new learning program developments of the BCU / UKCC scheme starting in April 2008. This will enable us to consolidate the specific learning program aspects of the BCU / UKCC via a range of delivery options and put us in a position to appreciate how best we can support its delivery in North America.

It will also provide us with a suitable time line via which we can:

  1. Inform paddlers and coaches in North America of the changes.
  2. Implement delivery opportunities to support both new and developing coaches.
  3. Provide re-training to existing coach educators (coaches with an existing A2 or above endorsement).
  4. Provide an opportunity to introduce the Star Award Changes during 2007

Overseas and in North America only: the delivery of the current BCU Awards will be possible until an agreed point in 2008.

In the meantime, just as in the UK, existing Coaching Awards will continue to be recognized.

Star Awards

No doubt, you will recall that there are to be some revisions to the Star Awards.

The aim of these revisions are to reflect developments, general paddling standards, and to bridge the existing gap between 4 and 5 Star -- see the October bulletin for more information.

We understand that final amendments to the new syllabi content have been agreed upon, and we await publication. We hope to be able to post these to this site by the end of February. Once posted these will be followed by both tutor notes and assessor notes.

As far as introducing the new Star Awards is concerned we are still aiming to do this in North America during autumn 2007. Initially this will require opportunities to re-orient existing Star Award assessors and to implement new administrative requirements. We aim to provide an initial opportunity to do this via the BCU North America Coach Conference. Other opportunities will follow.

Once complete, and from a date to be determined, candidates seeking a Star Award assessment will be assessed to the revised syllabi.

2007 Administrative Issues

  1. Individuals wishing to visit the UK to complete training or assessment for coaching awards are reminded that central registration for this needs to be competed via the BCU NA Administrator.
  2. Central Registration for coaching awards in North America (including Canada) must to be completed via the North America administrator.
  3. Course Providers – if you are planning either a coaching course or 5 star training / assessment in North America and Canada course authorization should be made via the North American Administrator
  4. If visiting the UK for training or assessment, only ‘old style’ training / assessments will be available as per the phase out timeline – End of March for Level 3 / End of June for level 2.
  5. Overseas Programs - If you take any overseas program, you need to make sure you have all the BCUNA prerequisites in place before attending the program. After the program you need to send proof of your new status to BCUNA, so the BCUNA database is updated. You can E-mail a PDF file or mail a copy of the certification to BCUNA. Your new level will not be recognized in NA until this is completed.
  6. 5 Star Training and Assessments in NA - No C1 forms are needed for 5 Star Assessments. All prerequisites need to be in place before attending a 5 Star Assessment. As prerequisites will not be checked before hand, it is the full responsibility of the candidate to assure he/she has everything in place - see the Directory for details. Course notification is still required in order to offer a 5 Star Training or Assessment in North America.
  7. It is important to remind all coach trainees that it is their responsibility to stay up to date on all BCU UK and BCU NA policies. All new L2 Trainees should read the BCUNA 2005, 2006 and 2007 updates.
  8. Coach Trainees should be reminded that they must work on a number of BCU Star programs before they can take assessment. See the BCUNA 2005 updates for detailed information.