December 09 update

The Coaches Commission are currently heavily involved in two different, but related projects.  The projects are Workforce Development Planning, and the roll out of the UKCC coach education programme.

Workforce Development Planning is a major initiative designed to help in the process of growing our sport.  It fits in very tightly with the current SVA Strategic Plan, which aims to increase our activities and personnel by 30% over the next four years.  WDP aims to have;

• More places on the Scottish map where volleyball coaching (and playing) takes place
• More people delivering volleyball coaching practice at all the locations where it happens
• Higher levels of knowledge and understanding of the coaching process being demonstrated by all those who participate.

The WDP is being supported by a major study completed by a consultancy firm led by John Lyle who is an eminent academic involved in ongoing research into all aspects of coaching.  As part of the WDP initiative a ‘Workshop for Collaborative Practices’ day is being planned featuring the Coaches Commission, the Youth and Schools Commission, and the Students Commission.

The second strand to the developments which are currently being promoted by the Coaches Commission is the roll out of the UKCC Award schemes. 

The first UKCC course was successfully piloted in July of 2009 with the cadre of SVA Staff Tutors being the ‘Guinea Pigs’.  The course has now been successfully presented in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, with further courses planned in Aberdeen ( February 6th 7th and 21st) and a return to Edinburgh (March 13th 14th and 21st).

The level I UKCC Award replaces the old Scottish Volleyball level I award (the Introductory Award).  The National Source Group for coach development across the UK is currently deliberating on the start of the process to construct the level II UKCC Award – in the meantime the SVA Level II and III Awards are being ‘tweaked’ to bring them more into line with the UKCC methodology, and acknowledge the slightly different learning outcomes from the level I UKCC award (phew!)

The UKCC level I award is still  very practical award, with the majority of the time on course being spent in the gym.

Further details of these courses can be obtained by contacting the SVA Office.

*** Stop Press ***

A further UKCC course has been added.  The success of the first Glasgow Course has resulted in the City Council requesting a second Glasgow based course.  The provisional dates for this course are;   27th 28th February and 21st March.  More details to follow.