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UK Snowsports Coach Award Scheme PRESS RELEASE
17th June 2008
PRESS RELEASE
17 June 2008
Home Nations Governing Bodies for Snowsports launch new, unified qualifications pathway
The governing bodies for snowsports in Scotland, England and Wales have today launched their unified qualifications pathway covering coaching, leading and instructing awards (in all snowsports disciplines). UK Snowsports will replace all existing, and currently disparate, qualifications by December 2008.
The UK Snowsports pathway has been developed using the principles of the UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC). Accreditation by UKCC is a longer term aim of UK Snowsports. Its raison d’être is to meet the needs of snowsports clubs and their members, existing and potential instructors, tutors, coaches and leaders as well as ski centres. As a guide, potential trainees should regard UK Snowsports as the UK awarding body for coaches, leaders and instructors who either specialise in race coaching, or who will work outside of the mountain ski school environment.
The combined membership of UK Snowsports is currently more than 3,000. These members comprise coaches, instructors and leaders across all snowsports disciplines.
Oliver Jones, chairman of Snowsport GB (the British Ski & Snowboard Federation) that trains and manages the British snowsports teams of elite athletes such as Finlay Mickel, Lesley McKenna and Chemmy Alcott, commenting on the launch says: “Snowsport GB is pleased to support the launch of this unified pathway which undoubtedly fills a gap in the market originally occupied by a wide range of Home Nations Governing Body courses which had no clear or consistent development pathway.”
Mark Simmers, chief executive of Snowsport GB also offers his support: “I am delighted to see the Home Nations working together to develop a unified approach to this area of the sport. It now presents GB athletes with a viable option for their progression into coaching, and provides more clarity and consistency in the development of British coaches.”
Current members of individual Home Nations Governing Bodies registration schemes will remain registered with their preferred body. Existing qualifications are also recognised and will be ‘converted’ to the UK Snowsports levels at annual re-registration. Home Nations re-registration dates are as follows: Scotland: 1 October; England and Wales: 1 January 2009. NB: In converting qualifications, coaches, leaders and instructors will all have the same scope of operation. No-one will be ‘worse off’.
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Jane Harvey, Snowsport Scotland: 0131 445 4151 07811 962109 jane@snowsportscotland.org
Tim Fawke, Snowsport England: 0121 501 2314 07868 548627 tim@snowsportengland.org.uk
Robin Kellen, Snowsport Wales; 02920 561904 07779 623925 robin.snowsportwales@virgin.net
Notes to editors:
Further details on courses and content will be available on individual Home Nations Governing Bodies websites from 18 June 2008:
www.snowsportscotland.org
www.snowsportengland.org.uk
www.snowsportwales.net
Attached:
- New UK Snowsports pathway details
- Table of ‘where do my current qualifications fit into the new pathway’?
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