It is highly recognised that there are many good practices of coach education around the world; however, opportunities to access a high standard of education is not consistent. This month, the FIH Hockey Academy launched its first stage of the newly-formed Educator Workforce programme. During the Champions Challenge 1, in Glasgow, Scotland, nominated Coaches took part in a series of courses that included Trainer training and Coach Educator training, while several participants were involved in a pilot of the FIH Hockey Academy Coach Level 1 Award.
To put it simply, there are hockey players who are coached on a regular basis by coaches, but who coaches the coaches?
The FIH Hockey Academy, in partnership with the World Academy of Sport, is focused on delivering a simplified education pathway for people who want to pursue coaching, officiating or management at a higher level. Continental and National federations are encouraged to adopt this framework allowing for a global movement of education.
Following the first Educator Workforce programme launch in Glasgow, the FIH Hockey Academy officially certified four Trainers and 13 Coach Educators, while 22 Scottish candidates were the first recipients of the new FIH Hockey Academy Coach Level 1 Award. The FIH Hockey Academy Educator Workforce defines three levels – a Trainer, who trains Educators; an Educator, who educates coaches or officials; and a Coach, who coaches athletes.
There is plenty of opportunity for any hockey enthusiast to get on board with the FIH Hockey Academy. Whether you are a player, fan, official, parent or just interested in learning more about hockey, there is a starting point for you. The first step is to enter into the START Hockey online programme, which is available to anyone at no cost. Through a series of web modules, registrants can learn about the sport of hockey including the rules, equipment, field of play and much more.
From there, you pick your path and can enter one of three development pathways – coaching, officiating or management – and the next steps include a mix of online and face-to-face education.
This multi-faceted academy is set to revolutionise hockey education around the world, while empowering any federation to follow a recognised certification program. Like any growing athlete, the FIH Hockey Academy will continue to develop over the coming months and will include further Coaching levels for the development of officials and managers.
For more information on the FIH Hockey Academy or how you can join START Hockey visit the official website at: http://www.fih-hockey.academy
Go Hockey News viewpoint
The beginning of the FIH Hockey Academy has the making of what is needed to take hockey globally to a greater professional level. As much as we need to develop accountable and consistent coaching programs we need to also develop highly qualified officials and next generation ‘hockey business managers and marketers ‘who can guide hockey’s future to much needed global professional status.
The link with the World Academy of Sport will open up doors that should support the acquisition of government grants, a closer tie with tertiary institutions that provide vital avenues for hockey specific research and sport education studies
Not knowing the full plan for the FIH Hockey Academy (as it is early days of information release) it would be great if part of its brief is to
- Build a mentor coaching program at all playing levels through a strong coach’s database and appropriate mentor training for all areas, i.e., coaching, officiating, administrators, marketing. [I believe from reviewing the FIH Academy website this is a direction though not specifically stated]
- Pool coaching resources and research around the world into a library database to assist coaching education
- Provide hockey education pathways that can be serve as RPL (recognition of prior learning) for participants to gain further sport education in local educational institutions who conduct sport based courses and subjects.
Overall this is a great initiative but I do believe there will be need of much consultation with hockey countries who have laboured in developing national recognised hockey education pathways. Certainly as it is not limited to just coaching will be a great advantage to acceptance.
