Coaching Scheme - BASI Update.

In June Snowsport England published a statement to all members on the website commenting on various items in BASI news. The Board feel it is important to a provide further update about what has happened to date and answer further questions.

As already made clear in the statement on the website Snowsport England has always enjoyed a good relationship with BASI, and each organisation has continued to develop and sustain the identified roles and markets they each serve. Until recently the awards offered between SSE and BASI have been complimentary, with each serving a specific, though different market. However recent changes to BASI's awards and specifically the BASI Level 1 course, designed for instructors operating on artificial slopes has created an obvious overlap

By operating as a National Governing Body and the UK member of the IVSI, Snowsport England remains an Awarding Body. However a situation where award schemes effectively compete with each other is not in the interests of our membership or the sport as a whole. Therefore continuing on from both initial talks held earlier in the year, and the negotiations between BASI and Snowsport Scotland the Board have entered into discussions with BASI about forming a partnership.

These further, formal discussions being held between Snowsport England and BASI began 3 weeks ago and are ongoing. As you can imagine the discussions are complex and there is a lot of detail to consider before any formal proposals can be drafted and released.

There has been a good amount of feedback from both clubs and individual Coaching Scheme members, which has been helpful. To summarise the main areas of feedback:

• There is still a role for and need for the CI. award
• There is a need for a progressive system of awards which serve both the needs of clubs and slopes.
• The cost of completing an award must not be prohibitive or exclusive
• The process of access to courses must continue to be accessible.
• A need for existing members to remain authorised to operate within the scope of their current qualification - that no one should be worse off as a result of this process.

These elements have been included in the initial discussions, and any proposal will seek to address these issues.

The current discussions relate to the following courses CI, ASSI, ASBI. No discussions have taken place as yet about the Coaching Awards or the Freestyle and Nordic disciplines. If an agreement is made regarding the CI and ASSI award it is likely that these awards will be discussed.

Senior Snowsport England tutors have been invited to BASI's Level 1 tutor training courses, and have provided feedback at the Alpine panel meeting in July. There is a further meeting of the Senior tutors planned in August, their feedback and advice is also vital in assessing the appropriate structure of any partnership as it goes forwards.

Coaching is an important part of Snowsport England, it underpins everything we do. It also supplies a source of income which supports the infrastructure, which in the absence of Grant Aid, has meant we have been able to continue to supply the services currently offered and needed by our members

There is a real concern that any drop in income would not only affect the courses offered but the very infrastructure which has been successfully built in the last 10 years, and could prevent the organisation continuing to implement and sustain our existing development programmes.

In summary the current position is:

• Snowsport England remains an Awarding Body
• Members can join and renew with Snowsport England and the awards held remain valid and have the same range of operations.
• Snowsport England Courses are still running and those attending, wanting to attend, and going through the system will be able to complete their qualifications, and have a valid qualification with the same range of operation.
• Snowsport England is in negotiations with BASI and subject to a proposal being agreed this will be released to the membership. The proposal is for all the HNGB's to combine awards into one scheme; the first award under discussion is the BASI level 1 course.
• All organisations involved in developing and operating Snowsport Coaching and Instructing Scheme in the UK agree one clear pathway would best serve the sport.
• The IVSI remains the responsibility of Snowsport England and we are still the international representative.

We hope members appreciate these negotiations are necessary to not only protect the integrity of the system but also the very infrastructure of the sport, and any proposals will have in mind the need to sustain the organisation for the future and take into account the existing Coaching Scheme, its strengths and weaknesses. These negotiations are crucial and some challenging decisions will need to be made. This means that not everyone can be consulted on every finite detail, but we aim to keep members informed and up to date where possible.

This process of dialog continues. The Board and management of Snowsport England are working hard to ensure that any agreement is consistent with the ethos and values of our organisation. Once a draft agreement is reached the membership will receive a detailed breakdown of how and if it effects each member of the Coach Award Scheme, member Clubs, and of the process suggested for its implementation.

If you have any questions or comments please email info@snowsportengland.org.uk.

31st July 2007