Support for Coaches

Mentoring is an effective and powerful learning opportunity for both mentor and mentee (coach) and one we believe will form part of a wider coaching development drive in both the immediate and long term future of the sport.

As part of our mission to develop a world-leading coaching system, we have made considerable strides forward in the development of coaches in recent years. We are now considered as one of the leading sports in the development and delivery of coach education, both nationally and internationally.

“Coach mentoring is seen as a critical component of the coach’s development pathway. Evidence would suggest coaches who are supported post-education are more likely to stay and progress within the coaching pathway, and less likely to drop out of the sport and indeed coaching” 

                                                        Paul Moss, Coaching Development Manager
 

Mentoring can be a highly effective way for coaches to learn the art of their role, and apply theory that they may have learnt in a classroom or through indepented study. Mentoring relationships can be formally structured, with mentors assigned to coaches, or they can grow out of a chance encounter with a like-minded person and remain very informal.

Mentoring is not a new concept, but it is effective. Skilling mentors in their role can only enhance the mentee’s experience, being able to provide quality feedback in a manner that empowers the mentee and allows them to develop in their own time and style is a key skill mentors need to have.

A team of coach mentors is being set up around England in the initial stage of this project, to support coaches at all levels within the club environment.

Becoming a Coach Mentor

It is tempting to assume that only those with exceptional knowledge and experience are able to be mentors, whilst this is essential for those who are providing technical advice it is less critical for a mentor. 

It is the skills and attributes of the mentor that are more important, such as the ability to establish relationships built on trust, respect and understanding, as well as the skills to encourage a coach to reflect on their own coaching practice and to be involved in their own learning and development.  It is quite possible for a mentor to come from a completely different background to their mentee, possibly a coach from a different sport.  This might seem like a slightly odd concept, however, having too much knowledge of the mentee’s role can lead to a lot of ‘telling’ and far less ‘mentoring’ and encouraging the coach to self-reflect and come up with the solutions themselves, although in reality this is more likely when a more experienced coach is working with a mentor.

if this is a role you might be interested in, please complete the application form and submit it to the details on the form.