Coaching and officiating
Who does coaching and officiating?
Most coaches and officials for clubs in New Zealand are volunteers. As with all volunteer roles it is good to put in place some volunteer management practices. The Managing Volunteers section of Club Kit has tips on how you can do this successfully.
For clubs just starting you will need to decide who your coach will be and depending on the size of your club, you may have more than one.
Your coaches may have a lot or experience in coaching or none at all. Coaches can make a huge difference to your club with their enthusiasm and commitment but to get the most out of your coach, they’ll need the support of your club and its members.
You may also choose to have some other people in your club assisting them with things such as team management - including organising venues and making sure that everyone knows where and when practises are etc.
There are plenty of resources available in your community to help your club's coach do their job well. Your National Sport Organisation, National Recreational Organisation and Regional Sports Trust have lots of guides and information available to help with training and education for coaches.
SPARC has developed a New Zealand Coaching Strategy aimed at coaches at all levels in New Zealand and official's tips that provide an in-depth resource on everything from injury prevention and management to dealing with spectator abuse. SPARC also provide many resources for coaching at all levels. How To Get Started in Coaching gives tips on your role as a coach, communications, teaching new skills to athletes, sport safety and planning.
Other programmes for coaches include CoachForce, CoachCorp and Wattie’s Volunteer Coach of the Year.
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Tips for sports coaches and officials
SPARC has compiled an in-depth guide full of tips for officials involved in sport. These tips are also useful if you are in a coaching role with a sports club. The guide covers topics such as:
- Injury prevention and management.
- Getting fit and staying fit.
- Warming-up, cooling down and stretching.
- Nutrition and performance.
- Rest and recovery.
- Performing under pressure – managing stress and improving concentration.
- Improving performance - becoming a more effective official.
- Managing people - communication skills, conflict management and dealing with spectator abuse.
- Roles and responsibilities – knowing your job and doing it well
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Tips for managing coaches and officials
- Adopt good volunteer management practices. The Managing Volunteers section of Club Kit has information on how this can be done effectively.
- Make sure coaches and officials are adequately trained. Providing training opportunities for coaches and officials is vital. Training helps officials and coaches feel valued by your club and confident in what they are doing. Training can either be:
- Internal and utilising the skills of experienced coaches and officials within the club to assist beginners develop basic skills that will start them out on the right track.
- External to encourage your coaches and officials at all levels to continue their education by attending courses run by your sport's governing body or national sports or recreational organisation, the local council or regional sports trust.
- Give coaches and officials ongoing support. One of the greatest fears of beginner officials and coaches is whether they are doing the right thing and that they have no support from within the club. Providing a mentor coach or official to guide and support beginners is a great way to make them feel at ease and at the same time ensure that their skills are enhanced.
- Promote your club's philosophy. It is very important that the club has a clear philosophy in regards to the way they deliver sport and support coaches and officials. It is vital that these club philosophies are clearly promoted to players, coaches, officials and parents.
It is also important that clubs put in place steps to ensure all their members are safe while participating in their chosen sport or recreation – even in their capacity as coach or official. The Health and Safety section of Club Kit has further information.
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Resources and more information
SPARC provide the following information about coaching:
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