As you will no doubt have read in previous editions, there have been considerable discussions concerning our members becoming listed on the BFA Coaching Register. Our recent AGM decided that our members should apply individually and directly to BFA. To that end and in line with BFA policy, should you wish to be listed on the BFA Coaching Register, it will be necessary for you to comply with the following:
Pay the membership fee as required by BFA
Provide a copy of your coaching qualifications
Provide certification for each the following: -- Enhanced CRB clearance certificate, not older than 3 months, issued by either a school, the BFA or the Academy. -- Attendance of the "The Sportscoach UK workshop - Safeguarding and Protection of Children" formally known as Coaching and Good Practise Course as recommended by the NSPCC. -- A first aid qualification
Time frame - 6 months to complete the above
Note: Should you have any questions concerning the requirements of or the process of registration, then please contact:
Applying to join the BFA Coaching Register is not mandatory and in no way does it affect your membership of the Academy. You need not therefore relinquish your Academy membership
Note: Applying to join a Home Country Coaching Register is not mandatory and in no way does it affect your membership of the Academy. You need not therefore relinquish your Academy membership
British Academy of Fencing The British Fencing Association and/or England Fencing Coach Education and Qualification
Following a meeting at Bristol between Keith Smith, Peter Northam, Neil Brown and myself, there has been considerable email traffic, resulting from which a number of inconsistencies and inaccuracies have emerged.
In spite of claims made by some (both inside and outside the Academy) I have never said that the Academy would advise our members not to become CRB certified, qualified in First Aid, etc.
However, I am very concerned by the misconception held by some senior administrators within fencing as to the Academy's intentions concerning coach education and qualification.
It has been reported that I have said the Academy has offered to take over coach education. This is not true. On a number of occasions I have said this is not what I would want for the Academy.
I recognise that the education/training of coaches is one of the responsibilities of the national governing body. Therefore, the Academy cannot be the sole body responsible for coach education/training. I also believe that recognising other systems of coach education and qualification, rather than rigidly conforming to one system, can only be to the advantage of fencing in general
What I have offered, during numerous informal meetings with representatives of both the BFA and EF, is for the Academy to
Run courses under the auspices of the BFA and/or EF
Qualify coaches under the system approved by the BFA and/or EF on Academy courses
Be responsible for coach education and qualification for a contracted period of time (say three years).
In essence the Academy could be partners with BFA and/or EF in a service level agreement or contract to be reviewed by both parties from time to time and renewed by mutual agreement.
Provisionally this would mean that:
BFA/EF manage the scheme
The Academy provide the educators and examiners etc
A written formal agreement or contract should be approved between the organisations as to their respective responsibilities
A means of assessing/evaluating the service provided by the Academy relative to the requirements of the other parties would be agreed.
Interestingly enough, I have not received an official or unofficial response to any part of the above offers.
I find all these misconceptions disheartening because the real losers are those who are seeking to improve their teaching/coaching skills and to gain or improve their qualifications.
