Coaching Review Recommendations Announced
- dale493
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Announcement of the Final Recommendations from the Coaching Review
We are thrilled to announce the final recommendations of the Coaching Review, which has been conducted over the past twelve months. It's a significant milestone for Swimming NZ, as the recommendations emphasise the importance of coaching for the delivery of our sport.
The Working Group, consisting of ten coaches from across the country and four Swimming NZ staff, have finalised these recommendations following a comprehensive process. The Working Group have considered feedback from the coaching community and held multiple discussions as they collectively determined the best direction to guide the support for coaching in New Zealand for now and into the future.
The Working Group have made five key recommendations and five supporting recommendations, which have all since been fully endorsed by the Swimming NZ board. These are outlined below:
Key Recommendations
Update the Swimming NZ Statement of Strategic Direction to increase the importance and prioritisation of coaching
Develop a Coaching Strategy to deliver upon the Swimming NZ Statement of Strategic Direction
Establish a formalised Memorandum of Understanding that clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of Swimming NZ and Swim Coaches & Teachers NZ
Clearly define a New Zealand Coaching Framework
Develop an annual education and development plan for coaches
Supporting Recommendations
Implement a mandatory New Zealand Swim Coaching License
Introduce an Aquablack Numbered Coach list
Ensure that recognition of coaches at all levels is prioritised
Provide a platform for coaches to access useful resources
Ensure regular and targeted communications are shared with coaches at all levels
We encourage everyone to read the final recommendations report to understand the process that has been undertaken throughout the Coaching Review, as well as the explanation and detail for each recommendation.
Chair of the Coaching Review Working Group & Swimming NZ's Head of Participation, Competitions & Engagement, Dale Johnson, referenced the important role coaches play to deliver swimming.
"At every level around the country, it's our coaches who deliver our sport and have the biggest impact upon each participants' experiences. Coaches are usually the first person a swimmer interacts with on their swimming journey, and the individual who interacts the most with a swimmer throughout their time at a club."
For this reason, Johnson believes this announcement is an important step forward for Swimming NZ.
"We identified that coaching wasn't as prevalent as it should be to reflect the crucial role that coaches play to deliver our sport. For this reason, we instigated this Coaching Review and today's announcement of the final recommendations is a significant milestone for Swimming NZ. It's us committing to prioritising coaching moving forward."
The Working Group have played a crucial role in the Coaching Review, respectfully debating and considering all perspectives throughout the process. Johnson acknowledged them for their contributions.
"I'd like to thank each of the members of the Working Group for their contributions and support throughout the process over the past year. It's thanks to them that these recommendations have been made by coaches, for coaches. This positions us to best support coaching and our sport into the future."
Swimming NZ launched the recommendations at the SWIMCONZ Conference over the weekend. It helps demonstrates the collaboration between Swimming NZ and Swim Coaches & Teachers NZ, in which both parties are committed to working together for the betterment of coaching.
Whilst the announcement of the recommendations is a milestone, it signals the start of a journey to bring this to life. The Working Group have already commenced work on draft documents and look forward to gaining feedback from coaches across the community. Updates on each recommendation will be shared as they progress, with work well underway for many of the recommendations.
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