A. Follow the swimming coaching link. The Course Calendar has the Course Administrator's contact details. Contact the Course Administrator to request a specific Course Enrolment or use the Generic Enrolment. A letter with more specific details will be sent to you prior to the course. It's important to enroll and pay at least a couple of weeks prior to the course commencement as Course Administrators need to organise Course Presenters, catering, pool space and resources.
Some courses receive lots of interest but if actual enrolments are low a couple of weeks prior to the course commencement, the Course Administrator may cancel. In this case a full refund is provided. Conversely some courses fill quickly, so enrolling early ensures your place.
Q. I'm 16 years old and would like to coach swimming. Am I old enough?
A. Yes. Course students can attend the course at 16 years of age and can gain their Coaching Licence once they attain 17 years of age.
Q. I'd like to become a swimming coach. What is the best time of the year to attend a course?
A. Winter is the ideal time to attend a course. There are usually less Students per course and if you're organised and have fulfilled all of the accreditation requirements, you will have your Licence by the commencement of summer when most employment opportunities arise.
Q. What's the difference between a swimming Coach and a swimming and water safety Teacher?
A. A swimming Coach trains swimmers to swim further, faster, better. A swimming and water safety Teacher instructs learners how to enter the pool, basic buoyancy and mobility skills, stroking, kicking, streamlining and basic strokes.
Q. How many hours is the Junior Squad & Assistant Coach course?
A. Courses are usually presented over two days but can also be conducted one night per week over several weeks or other variations but always a minimum of 12 hours' duration. Courses may even run over one day, sometimes with a meal supplied to keep participants energised. So if you're busy, there are no excuses, everyone can spare a couple of days.
Q. What subjects are covered at the course?
A. The 12 hour course outline is:
- Course Overview and Conditions
- Swimming in Australia
- Being an Effective Swimming Coach
- Learning Swimming Skills
- Mechanics of Swimming
- Developing the Competitive Strokes
These subjects are delivered via theory and practical sessions.
Q. I'm not the most competent swimmer! I'm worried as I'm unsure what the Junior Squad & Assistant Coach course entails?
A. The course includes about 4 hours of practical sessions. Students should participate in all aspects of the course. The practical session covers the four competitive strokes plus starts, turns and finishes. Student's swimming abilities will range from very basic upwards.
Only a very basic swimming ability is required and technique and fault identification will be taught at the course. Distances swum are minimal.
Q. Where can I complete my practical coaching hours after I attend the Junior Squad & Assistant Coach course?
A. You should contact your local pool, swimming club or coach and ask if you can complete the practical component with their squads, under a coach's guidance. As it is a competency-based assessment, hours required depend on each individual i.e. those with swimming/coaching knowledge may need to complete 5 hours, those with no prior knowledge may need to complete 50 hours. You are deemed competent (by someone with a vested interest in swimming) when you can practically demonstrate the ability to implement appropriate coaching skills associated with teaching the four competitive strokes, starts and turns. Experienced coaches are generally happy to mentor others as part of their Professional Development requirements.
Q. What does the Junior Squad & Assistant Coach course price cover?
A. The price covers your course attendance, necessary course resources including the Introduction to Swimming Coaching textbook, CD ROM, Assessment Workbook, pool entry, ascta coach membership, insurance cover whilst undertaking student requirements when under supervision, refreshments and a Licence.
Q. I've been coaching for years, have attended the ascta convention and have other tertiary qualifications. Do I have to sit through a whole course to gain a coaching qualification?
Insurance is a major concern if coaching without a qualification. If you think you have all or some of the competencies required for any of the coaching courses without having to attend a formal course, contact SwimEd on +61(0)7 5494 9649 or email coaching@swimed.com and request a Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC) Application Kit. Complete and return the information, along with the RCC application fee of $40 to SwimEd. Your application will then be assessed. Further fees are payable if the application is successful (minimum $100).
Q. I'm attending a Junior Squad & Assistant Coach course, then how do I gain my Licence?
A. 1. To participate, Course Students:
- must be 16 years of age at course commencement and must be aged 17 years or older to be accredited
- should obtain a medical clearance prior to participating in the practical activity components of the course if they have concerns about their level of fitness
- must fully complete the Enrolment including ASCTA Membership Registration and Prohibited Person Declaration, then send with payment to the Course Administrator
- attend all sessions
- complete an Assessment Workbook to a satisfactory standard
- the Assessment Workbook tasks are to be signed off by the Course Administrator
- the practical assessment (task 6) may be based upon the recommendation of someone with a vested interest such as a School Principal or Swimming Club President
- Provide evidence of a satisfactory Nationwide Police Check
Q. I am a Junior Squad & Assistant Coach and I'm really enjoying coaching. I have decided I'd like a career as a swimming coach. Are there any other courses that would help improve my skills?
A. Once you have attended a Junior Squad & Assistant Coach course, you are eligible to attend a Bronze course. The Bronze course topics will assist you in writing training programs, understanding swimmers energy systems, strength and flexibility, as well as more advanced stroke mechanics. When you have gained your Bronze Licence you can progress to a Silver Licence, Coaching Swimming with a Disability, Coaching Adult Swimmers and/or Coaching Open Water Swimmers course.
Once you have gained a Silver Licence, you can apply for consideration to undergo the process for a Gold Licence. A Platinum Licence is only granted to coaches performing at an elite international level.
Q. I am a Green Licence coach. What is the difference between a Green and a Junior Squad & Assistant Coach?
A. Following a review of Swimming Australia's coach education pathway and structure, from 1 January 2008 the qualification of 'Green' Coach was re-branded as the ASCTA "Junior Squad & Assistant Coach'. Your Green qualification is still current as long as you continue to renew your ASCTA membership.
Q. What level Swimming Coach should a Swimming Club be employing?
A. This depends on the likely coaching hours, the Club membership size, potential area for growth as well as the current and future competition ranking of the club. All these factors will influence the skill level of the coach the Club should be advertising for.
A Junior Squad & Assistant Coach has the competence to coach junior swimmers (i.e. swimmers 12-years and younger) who are in the early stages of the competitive swimming development and/or assist a suitably qualified (and licenced) Coach in the delivery of competitive swimming programs for age-group (i.e. 13-18 years) and open swimmers.
A Bronze Coach will focus on promoting participation in competitive swimming, developing a broader range of skills and techniques for Club swimmers, encouraging swimmers to compete at district level and above all, encourage participation, swimming for fun, play and skills and a safe swimming environment.
A Silver Coach will focus on benchmarking, education and continuous improvement, promoting participation in competitive swimming at Country, State and above-level competitions, striving for performance and enjoyment to compete, development of the Club information, education and resources and business development of membership and participation.
A Gold Coach will be focus on promoting participation in competitive swimming at Age and Open National level competitions, striving for performance, development of the Club, information, education and resources, development of swimmers for high performance achievements and National Team selection, benchmarking, education and continuous improvement.
A Platinum Coach has the competence to undertake coaching duties as a member of a senior Australian team at a major international swim met.
A small club with twenty hours of squad work per week would usually be advertising for a coach holding a Bronze Licence unless excellent remuneration, club size increasing and future potential indicated a need for a higher level coach etc. A club would generally increase renumeration in line with the coach's level of qualifications and experience.
Q. Our Swimming Club is located in a rural area. Some of the parents would like to gain a coaching qualification. How can our Club afford this?
A. There are government grants available. Try www.grantslink.gov.au , www.ourcommunity.com.au and www.community.gov.au for funding opportunities. If there is not a course in your area, contact SwimEd and register your interest.
Q. I'd like to become a Course Presenter. What qualifications are required?
A. Junior Squad & Assistant Coach Course Presenters are required to:
- Be ethical and agree to abide by the SwimEd Professional Guidelines
- Hold a Bronze Licence or higher
- Have current ASCTA membership
- Provide a C.V. including
- Name, Date of Birth and contact details
- Employment history
- 3 current referees
- Details of presenting experience
- Certified evidence of all relevant qualifications, accreditations and memberships such as a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Certificate IV Assessment & Workplace Training or equivalent
- Have a minimum of five years industry experience at an appropriate skill level
- Be approved by SwimEd
Unless approved as a Specialist Presenter, all approved Course Presenters have all of the qualifications listed above plus a Licence higher than they're presenting at e.g. the Course Presenter holds a current Silver Licence if presenting a Bronze course.
Once approved, Course Presenters are sent a certificate and registered on the Course Presenter database. Prior to the first presentation, the Course Presenter's Kit is mailed and registered. This is at no cost to the Course Presenter.
Q. I would like to teach swimming and water safety. How do I become qualified to teach?
A. Attend a Swim Australia Teacher course. Once enrolled a course CD ROM is posted. Students complete the theory before attending the 8 hour practical induction course. The course is endorsed by Swimming Australia. A teaching course specific to Baby and Toddlers is also available and Adults, Special Needs and other courses are in development.
Q. I am a qualified coach and would like to know how to stay up to date with the last swimming coaching techniques.
A. There are a number of ways to stay abreast of the last swimming coaching trends. Some suggestions are:
- Purchase one or more of the ASCTA home study courses
- Attend a Swim Australia seminar or subscribe to Swim Tips - a regular newsletter providing the latest in teaching trends - www.swimaustralia.org.au
- Peruse the internet and register with aquatic organisations such as Swimming Australia (SAL) to receive their free e-newsletters - www.swimming.org.au
- Attend the Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association (ASCTA) Convention, held annually early May at the Gold Coast - www.ascta.com
- Attend one of the ASCTA State Branch Conventions or workshops conducted regularly
- Borrow books, videos and DVDs from your local library
- Purchase books, videos and DVDs from ASCTA's or SwimEd's range of resources
Q. I have some more queries, who should I contact?
A. SwimEd is only too happy to help with your enquiry or if not in our area of expertise, assist you in the right direction. Contact us with your questions.