RYA Athlete to Coach Programme (A2C)
Improve
your sailing performance and gain qualifications at the same time.
Having an understanding of coaching and how to improve performance has been proven to improve your own sailing performance.
Case Study: Matt Howard – Team GBR Finn Performance Coach,
finalist of Sports Coach UK: High Performance Coach of the Year and finalist of
BBC Sports Personality of the Year: Coach of the Year
Over my Olympic classes career I competed in the Laser,
49er and Finn. Early on in that career, whilst on the lower levels of
funding, I started doing some coaching on-the-side to supplement my
funding. I quickly realised that I quite enjoyed it and found that
coaching was helping me as a competitor, not just financially, but also in improving
my sailing performance. The thought process and depth of understanding
needed to coach and explain techniques really helped to anchor many of the
techniques I had acquired.
When the time came for me to move on from Olympic class
sailing it seemed only natural to continue coaching which in-turn led to
being a Performance programme coach. I have not once regretted my chosen
career post sailing, as a bad day on-the-water is still better than a good day
in the office, and working with world class, focused and determined athletes is
incredibly rewarding.
The RYA now offer a programme
for RYA Athletes that aims to help understand how to improve performance and
gain essential coaching qualifications at the same time.
A2C Programme
Core Value
Aims
This programme is aimed at athletes who want to understand in greater depth how to improve performance and have a strong desire to pursue a career in coaching with the RYA following their sailing career. The programme has been designed to be flexible to suit individual needs and spread over a two year period to minimise the impact on regattas and training. Ideally this programme should be completed whilst the athlete is still competing in the sport, however this is not essential.
Core Coaching Content
Communication & Rapport Building, Creating Learning and Performance in Athletes, Performance Planning and Leadership.
The delivery is a blend of workshops, projects, mentoring and professional practice.
Essential Coaching Qualifications included in the programme
-
First Aid
- International Certificate of Competence
(ICC)
- Powerboat Level 2
- VHF Radio
- Towing Test
- RYA Racing Coach Level 2
- RYA Racing Coach Level 3
Structure & Duration
A2C is a 2 year programme split into 12 days per year:
Entry requirements
-
Has sailed in an RYA squad at National level
- Demonstrates a serious commitment to a career in coaching, completing the course and an aptitude towards developing people
- Some previous coaching experience (approx. 10 days)
- 18 years of age minimum
Cost £980 per year. Please note:
-
Podium level funded athletes can access their UK Sport Personal Development Award funding to pay for this programme
- Development level athletes can cover the cost via the 12 days coaching work
For further details about the course please contact Dave Mellor
- RYA Coaching Development Manager
Phone: 02380604165
Email: david.mellor@rya.org.uk