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Position           

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries values the role of the coach and understands the influence that the coach has on the sporting environment. The department expects that State Sporting Associations (SSA) will have a strong focus on attracting and retaining coaches through the implementation of a coaching pathway.

Purpose

Every coach has the right to perform their role in a respectful, appreciative and supportive environment. SSAs, in partnership with coaches, need to ensure that policies and practical frameworks are in place that supports such environments. The department promotes the active involvement of well-trained, skilled and informed people delivering coaching services at community level through to supporting elite athletes.

Background

As role models in their communities, coaches play a crucial role in the development of players, sport and general participation. Coaches have a range of responsibilities including:

• Accessing best practice strategies and information in relation to their sport;
• Delivering material that is relevant and appropriate to players’ development level;
• Creating fun and safe environments; and
• Being inclusive, regardless of ability, gender, age or ethnicity.

The department supports all Western Australian coaches to have a range of skills to perform the role of coach to maximise athlete development and increase the likelihood of lifelong involvement of individuals within physical activity and organised sport.

The following factors are considered to be key components for the effective development of coaches within the WA sport and recreation industry:

• Access to quality learning and development opportunities in a variety of inclusive ways (e.g. face to face, electronic, by correspondence and print).  Many of these opportunities are provided through the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme and supported by the relevant state and national sporting organisations.
• Coaches should be supported by other stakeholders involved in the delivery of the sport, namely parents, spectators, players, club administrators and officials to perform their role.
• The industry must remain flexible and inclusive in facilitating innovative strategies in the recruitment, development and retention of coaches.
• Coaches should be appropriately recognised and rewarded for the valuable role they fill within the community.
• The quality of education for coaches and officials relies on trained presenters, assessors and mentors to deliver, assess and develop coaches and officials.

Implementation

The Department is committed to offering a range of resources and professional development opportunities that support the development of coaches within the sport and recreation industry in WA.

A Coaching and Officiating Strategy has been developed to respond to industry needs which consists of a consolidation of various planning documents, action plans and research relating to strategies, projects and events for the development of coaches and officials state-wide. The strategy has been endorsed by the Coaches and Officials Advisory Group, which comprises of representatives from a range of SSAs, working in the area of coaching and officiating.

Contacts

Team Leader, Organisational Sustainability
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries – Sport and Recreation
Telephone 61 8 6552 7300

Useful websites

• Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries - Coaching Information
• Australian Sports Commission — Coaching Information
• Play by the Rules

Endorsed                                                    

01 February 2015                                                             

Review           

01 February 2017