Coaching and Officiating
Checklist - here are some things to consider:
Coaching and officiating is one of the most important roles in your club. It's also a hugely satisfying role that will be a key element in the club's success.
Major Topics on this page
Who does coaching and officiating?
Most club coaches and officials in New Zealand are volunteers. Clubs need to ensure that their volunteer coaches and officials are managed appropriately. The Managing Volunteers section of Club Kit provided tips on how to do this successfully. New clubs need to decide on a coach, and depending on the size of the club, there may be more than one. Coaches may have a lot of experience in coaching or none at all. With their enthusiasm and commitment, coaches can make a huge difference to the club. But they also need the support of the club and its members.
Other people in your club may assist a coach with such things 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 the community to help the club's coach do their job well. national sport organisations, national recreational organisations, and regional sports trust have guides and information to help with education and training for coaches.
Sport NZ has developed a New Zealand Coaching Strategy for coaches at all levels, and an in-depth resource on everything from injury prevention and management to dealing with spectator abuse. Sport NZ also provides many resources for coaching at all levels. How To Get Started in Coaching gives tips on the coach’s role, communications, teaching new skills to athletes, sport safety, and planning.
Other programmes for coaches include CoachForce and Sport NZ Volunteer Coach of the Year.
Tips for sports coaches and officials
Sport NZ has compiled an in-depth guide, tips for officials (PDF, 392 Kb) (PDF, 393 KB), for those involved in sport. These tips are also useful if you are a coach in 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
Tips for managing coaches and officials
- Adopt good volunteer management practices. The Managing Volunteers section of Club Kit provides information on how to do this effectively.
- Providing training opportunities for coaches and officials is vital. Training helps officials and coaches feel valued and confident in what they are doing.
Training can either be internal utilising the skills of experienced coaches and officials within the club to assist beginners to develop basic skills that will start them out on the right track.
Or training could be external - to encourage 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.
- Coaches and officials need ongoing support. One of the greatest fears of beginner officials and coaches is whether they are doing the right thing. 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 their skills are enhanced.
- Promote your club's philosophy. It is very important that the club has a clear philosophy about the way sport is delivered, and the way coaches and officials are supported. It is vital that these club philosophies are clearly promoted to players, coaches, officials, and parents.
It is also important that clubs ensure that 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.
Resources and more information
Sport NZ provide the following information about coaching:
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