Canoeing Ireland have been developing a new coaching pathway and associated awards with an objective to cater for all competitive disciplines.

While all paddlesports disciplines are unique with specific needs there is commonality and opportunities to grow and learn as a coaching community, together. A lot of the work done so far by Canoeing Ireland has been based around this commonality; designing relevant content for the various levels, the structure (linking the coaching and the participation to performance pathway together) and how to assimilate existing coaches into the new pathway.

This assimilation process will be used to kick start the new coaching pathway by officially certifying the current base of  coaches currently working around the country in our various disciplines. These coaches will go on to support and develop new assistant coaches in their club or discipline. Only the first 3 levels of the coaching pathway are currently developed: Assistant Coach, Club Coach, Pathway Coach.

The differentiating factors between the Club and Pathway Coach are – technical understanding, experience, level of public coached and ability to apply the knowledge in a real-life coaching context. Applicants are encouraged to only apply for assimilation at the appropriate level –

  • A Club Coach operates essentially in a club setting with beginners on a trajectory to development level athletes.
  • A Pathway Coach may also be working in a club setting with the ability/knowledge to coach development level athletes on a trajectory to performance level. The pathway coach may also work with athletes in regional and national development programmes (Paddle Futures).

In order to be assimilated all coaches must –

  • Be CI members
  • Be Garda Vetted
  • Have completed Safeguarding Training – Sport Ireland Level 1
  • Have completed First Aid training
  • Have completed Anti-Doping Education and Learning relevant to the level I coach adel.wada-ama.org/learn
  • Have signed a coach code of conduct to operate within CI guidelines
  • Be over 18 to coach independently (over 16 club and pathways coaches should be supervised but some over 18)
  • Assistant coaches should have supervision from a more experienced coach.

If any of those elements are missing, please highlight in your self-evaluation/assessment form and you will be given the necessary information to complete these requirements.

 

Closing date for completion of the Assimilation form is Sunday 24th October.

If you have any questions or need specific support in completing your self-evaluation form please do not hesitate to contact CI Training Development Officer, Aidan Doran, development@canoe.ie and/or Hannah Craig, slalomcoach@canoe.ie