European Weightlifting Federation

Coach and Tutor Assimilation Pathway

Quality Assurance

Procedures

Under the guidance of the

International Weightlifting Federation

Colin Buckley

EWF Executive Board Member

September 2013

Contents

Page No.

1. Introduction What is Assimilation 1

2. Guiding Principles 2

3. Assimilation Why? 3

4. Assimilation How and When ? 4

5. Principles of Operation 5

6. Coach Licence Profile Form 6 -8

7. Assimilation Procedure Matrix 9

8. Appendix 1 . Level 3 and Level 4 10

9. Tutor Pathway 11-

HOW TO BECOME A EWF LICENSED COACH

A GUIDE FOR EXPERIENCED EWF NATIONAL FEDERATION COACHES Assimilation: What is it? Assimilation according to the Oxford dictionary is a means of "absorbing people into a larger group".

Procedures for the assimilation of experienced coaches Level 1 and Level 2 (Level 3 work in progress - Appendix 1)

Assimilation Profile Form

The European Coaching Development Programme is a lifter centred, coach education programme, coordinated by the EWF under the guidance of the IWF

A four-level coaching ladder has been proposed including a European coaching database

The assimilation program is designed to allow for the entry of experienced coaches into the coaching system through a process called assimilation.

Level 1

Assistant Coach Club Coach

Provide basic coaching skills relevant to fundamental/early train to train stage Provide basic coaching skills in line with the IWF Level 1 Club Manual

Planning, organising, coaching and reviewing sessions

Technical, tactical, mental, physical, personal, lifestyle capacities (fundamental/early train to train stage)

Ethics and Fair Play

WADA Anti-Doping

Real Winner On-Line Quiz /True Coach

IWF Rules and Regulations

Current 1st Aid Certificate

60 + hours, 8-15 hours logged experience followed by a minimum of 6 months coaching experience 8 Hours contact time. IWF Club Manual procedures and coaching exam

Level 2 Development

(Sport – Fitness Professionals)

Role: Plan, implement, review sessions for intermediate Lifters

Provide coaching skills relevant to train to compete stage

Planning, organising, coaching and reviewing sessions/up to a season

Technical, tactical, mental, physical, personal, lifestyle capacities (train to train/early train to compete stage)

Ethics

100 + hours, 30-40 hours logged experience followed by a minimum of 1 year coaching experience

Level 2 Performance

(Olympic Weightlifting - the Sport)

Role: Prepare participants for competition at

club/national level

Provide coaching skills relevant to train to compete / train to win stage for IWF Competition Olympic Weightlifting

Planning, organising, coaching and reviewing sessions/up to 12 months

Competition preparation and strategies . ADAMS procedures , National Referee course,

120 hours over minimum of 1 year (minimum contact 75 hours) followed by minimum 1 year coaching experience

Summary of the Assimilation Process The assimilation scheme is: “A scheme where experienced coaches may be accredited up to Level 2 based on objective assessment of their previous experience and qualifications.”

1.

The scheme is being introduced to provide: Experienced coaches with suitable qualifications and/or experience with a final opportunity to assimilate to Level 2 This EWF scheme will benefit the National Federations as well as the experienced personnel involved. Skills and experiences gained over time will be matched against guidelines within the EWF Coach Development Process, so that experienced personnel will be able to contribute on an equal footing with individuals trained and already working with Olympic weightlifting. The scheme will raise the profile of coaching and of coach education. Experienced coaches will be able to draw on and share their experiences of International, World and Olympic competition. Experienced coaches will be able to share the knowledge and experiences that they have picked up during an extended career. Coaches will be catered for within the scheme and workshops will be offered to up-skill each coach appropriately. The inclusion of workshops should ultimately contribute to improved participation and performance. The guiding principles of the scheme are as follows:

1. Every registered National Federation coach is entitled to seek assimilation 2. A Profile form must be completed by those seeking assimilation 3. An agreed scheme from EWF National Federations 4. Sport-specific needs and requirements will be accommodated 5. Those wishing to be assimilated may be required to do agreed tasks 6. An appeal mechanism will be available when agreement cannot be reached.

Steps involved in the assimilation process:

1. Apply for an Assimilation Profile Form from the N.F. 2. Complete Assimilation Form and return it to the N.F. Coaching Board 3. Review of Profile Forms by EWF Assimilation Committee 4. Recommendation of Assimilation Committee 5. Assimilation workshops for experienced coaches 6. Certification by EWF

Finally, this scheme is designed specifically for use by National Federations for assimilating personnel that they consider suitable for assimilation at Level 1 or Level 2. The benefits of including coaches who have been working with Lifters are many. Coaches will have gathered a range of experiences within their work over an extended period of time and many may also have qualifications from other systems or backgrounds. Experienced coaches will by definition, have spent many years within the sport system. Throughout their sporting/ coaching life they will have benefited from the support and expertise within Olympic weightlifting and will have a wealth of experiences (often up to World and Olympic level), which potentially will benefit future generations. The inclusion of personnel from this group will help to maximise the knowledge and experience within the sport of weightlifting. Furthermore, their inclusion should assist the coaching system, which is designed primarily to support participants in safe, enjoyable and challenging activities.

2.

The assimilation scheme refers to accreditation to Level 1 or Level 2. The scheme is geared specifically to experienced coaches who want to coach and whom N.F.s would consider suitable for assimilation. However, experienced coaches will not be treated the same. The scheme will accommodate the distinct requirements of each coach and will deliver workshops and provide appropriate experiences to cater for groups accordingly. Assimilation: Why? A fully agreed and efficiently implemented assimilation programme has many benefits. On an individual basis it will match the skills and experiences gained over an extended period of time and help fill any gaps which may exist, so that the individual will be able to contribute on an equal footing with individuals already working within the EWF Coaching Development Pathway This inclusive process will maximise the pool of talent that is available to a NF. It can help to include those who, over time, have developed a range of expertise and who now want to enhance and share their knowledge within a more structured coaching programme. Assimilation can help to accommodate such people in a constructive and worthwhile way. It can help to balance the knowledge and skills that these people already possess with the new and changing demands of the coaching environment. The inclusion of experienced personnel will further raise the profile of coaching and coach education. Driven by a central procedure at the EWF, this scheme will allow all NFs to benefit from a European publicity campaign and to participate in a process, which will embrace all Olympic weightlifting for competition and for other uses. Appeal mechanism when agreement cannot be reached Applicants have the right to appeal the level at which it is proposed to assimilate them. An Appeals Committee made up of a team of knowledgeable personnel and different from those who sat on the Assimilation Committee will consider all appeals Assimilation: Benefits for an EWF National Federation By including experienced coaches in the assimilation scheme the range of expertise that exists within weightlifting will be maximised. Many people were involved in coaching long before the EWF Coaching Development Program was ever developed and these same people have been successful and effective, amassing a wealth of knowledge and experience. Their inclusion will encourage contact with all coaches operating within the EWF and may provide an opportunity to involve all coaches in updates and seminars in a systematic manner. Ultimately, their inclusion can contribute to improved performances. The assimilation of those who have earned qualifications elsewhere will help to streamline qualifications which, in time, a higher authority may demand. This streamlining of qualifications will benefit each individual NF and will also enhance the EWF Coaching Development Program initiative by matching qualifications between different sports. The assimilation scheme will benefit a National Federation who may not have the support system in place to develop the higher coach education levels to facilitate the experienced coaches within Olympic weightlifting. By including experienced coaches the NF can draw on the coaching experiences that these participants will have gathered. Experience at International, World and Olympic level is a valuable resource, rich in hands-on practicalities and often times at the cutting edge of new approaches and methods of preparation for competition. The involvement of experienced coaches can help raise the profile of coaching and can encourage investment from Universities, sponsors and other external sources.

3.

Lifter Pathway Experienced athletes who wish to remain in sport and who wish to become involved in coaching need to be encouraged and then facilitated so that they can share what they know and avail of training that their changing role will demand. The European Coaching Development system will only be of benefit if it is seen as a system that not only reaches out to accommodate others but is also friendly and useful in removing barriers to help them become effectively involved. During their career experienced lifters do not always cultivate the necessary coaching skills required to become a good coach and unless appropriate training is provided they may be reluctant to continue in the sport. Assimilation cannot be seen as a 'short-cut' for progress within the European coach education ladder. Many coaches have worked long and hard and invested a lot of effort to climb the coaching ladder systematically from the bottom up. Assimilation must be seen as a means of acknowledging and recognising complementary training and experience, be it gained through formal or informal channels. This experience deserves recognition Benefits for Experienced Coaches and Lifters The advantages for experienced coaches and lifters of being part of such a vibrant coach education programme are many. Assimilated personnel will become part of this successful programme and will be able to avail of the many seminars, workshops, resources and support structures, which are planned. They will be able to share in the accumulated knowledge and experience and to play a more active and functional part as a team player within their NF. As part of the EWF structure, the Level 3 qualification will be designed in line with the proposed structure for the mutual recognition of coaching qualifications in the European Union. The EWF Coaching database, will be used to maintain contact with, and update, coaches on a range of coaching and sport-specific issues. Assimilation: How and When? The proposed step-by-step procedure is outlined below:

1. Publication and circulation of Assimilation Scheme January 2014 2. European advertising campaign, centrally driven from EWF with

N.F. assistance in targeting potential candidates February 2014 3. Distribution of assimilation forms by EWF and NF April 2014 4. Return of assimilation forms to EWF June 2014 5. Closing date for assimilation of experienced coaches 1st July 2014 6. Review by NGB Assimilation Committee July – Aug 2014 7. Review by Assimilation Board Sept 2014 8. Ratification by EWF October 2014 9. Recommendation/communication to individuals and NF November 2014 10. Appeal procedure (as required) December 2014 11. Closing date for assimilation of experienced coaches Group 2 30th December 2014 12. Assimilation courses/workshops 2015

There will be two application deadlines for experienced coaches . Group 1 - 1st July 2014. Group 2 - 30th December 2014. Thereafter, experienced coaches may only enter the system through Level 1 courses, (or by way of mutual recognition of qualifications in the case of coaches who have valid qualifications from another EU member state).

4.

Assimilation Board / Committee The Assimilation Committee will be made up of the following personnel in consultation with each NF:

A representative from the EWF who will chair the Committee

The Coaching Officer of the NF

2 EWF members of Coaching & Scientific Committee Appeals Committee The Appeals Committee will be made up of the following different personnel in consultation with each NF:

A representative from EWF who will chair the Committee

A representative from another NF

A member of the NF

A member of the EWF Coaching & Scientific Committee This Appeals Committee will be made up of a different panel from those who sit on the Assimilation Committee. Both parties to nominate 3 personnel for consideration from other NF and EWF

Assimilation Board The role of the Assimilation Board is to:

Oversee the standardised implementation of the Assimilation scheme

Provide assistance to NFs in their implementation of the scheme

Ensure that standards are maintained by all NFs

Review the procedures put in place by each NF

Profile Form The standard profile form must be completed by everyone seeking assimilation. Each NF will be responsible for its distribution and return. Completed profile forms are to be returned to the EWF. Each profile form should contain details of the following:

Background and previous coaching and/or lifting experiences

Qualifications (if any, including coaching qualifications in another sport)

Personal supporting statement, with details of philosophy on coaching, reasons why you want to coach and personal values you bring to coaching

Personal skills inventory as well as identification of possible areas of improvement to facilitate entry at suggested level

Experienced coaches

Coaches with 1 year at senior club experience and documented coach education experience to be considered for assimilation at Level 1

Coaches with a minimum of 2 years coaching at European or international level and documented coach education experience to be considered for assimilation up to Level 2 .

Experienced coaches may need guidance on up-to-date issues, planning, long-term athlete development as well as to matters particularly pertaining to the EWF and the Coaching Development Program. As well as the structured Induction Workshops, a variety of additional options may be considered in order to accommodate experienced coaches for assimilation.

For example:

Observation of a coaching session

Attend full coach education course

Attend parts of coach education course

Interview , Competency test

Provide evidence of planning over-time e.g. coaching logbook, training schedules. DVD

5.

European Weightlifting Federation

Coach Profile Form

Before completing this profile form please read the Assimilation Scheme document.

Thank You.

Name:

Address:

Phone Home Phone Work

N.F. number Mobile (National Federation)

Email

Experienced Coach or Experienced Lifter (Please tick if appropriate)

National Federation through which the application will be processed

Gender Male Female

Level at which assimilation is sought - Level 1 Level 2 (see description of Levels in Assimilation document)

Details of Coach Education Courses, Seminars, Workshops, Lectures, etc. that you have

attended:

Course/Workshop/Seminar Description When

6.

Details of coaching qualifications (if any):

Please list and detail other appropriate qualifications: (include year of completion or attendance)

Background and Previous Coaching or Lifting Experience: (include period of time and details of

performance)

Personal Supporting Statement

Please explain …

1. The reasons why you want to coach: (or in the case of experienced coaches, the reasons why you do coach)

2. Your coaching ambitions in the next 4 years:

Personal Profile

The following is a list of some of the modules and topics within the EWF coach education

programme. Please rate your knowledge and experience of the listed topics and comment on the

areas that you would like to develop.

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Olympic Weightlifting Strong

Weak Technique

Tactics

The Lifter Strong

Weak Physical Fitness

Mental Fitness

Skill Development

Underage Development

Motivation

Code of Ethics & Good Practice

Coaching Outcomes Strong

Weak Long-term Lifter Development Pathway model

The role of Functional Testing and Assessment

Principles of Operation for Level 1 and Level 2

Code of Ethics and Fair Play

Video analysis

The Referee

National Referee ------------ Category 2 ----------- Category 1 ----------- ( Please list and date)

Level 2 Coach Assimilation – National Referee minimum standard

Coach

Signed Date

National Federation President /Secretary

Signed Date 8

Comment:

Comment:

Comments:

Assimilation into the European Coaching Development Programme

Complete Assimilation Profile Form and Return to the National Federation

N.F forward to the EWF

Review of Profile Forms by EWF Assimilation Committee

Recommendation by the Assimilation Committee and

Review by Assimilation Board

Appeal Procedure

(as required)

Certification by EWF

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Workshops and/or

tasks for Experienced

Coaches

External courses

and/or tasks for

Coaches

Appendix 1

Level 3 and Level 4

Proposal for discussion

Coaching competencies for an Olympic or quadrennial Cycle

Level 3 (Performance)

Role: Prepare participants for

competition at the highest

club/national level

Provide coaching skills

relevant to train to

compete / train to win

stage

Planning, organising, coaching

and reviewing quadrennial cycles

Technical, tactical, mental,

physical, personal, lifestyle

capacities (train to compete/

train to win)

Ethics

200-240 hours over minimum

of 1 year (minimum contact

75 hours) followed by

minimum 2 years coaching

experience

Level 3 (Development)

Role: Lead programmes in

clubs/NFs for young people

and intermediate lifters in

sport

Provide knowledge and

skills to underpin coaching

programmes for young

people and intermediate

lifters in clubs, NFs

In-depth treatment of Long

Term Lifter Development and of

technical, tactical, physical,

mental, personal, lifestyle issues

for children in the 6-18 age

range and intermediate lifters

Facilitation/tutoring skills

Systems design and

management

Ethics

200-240 hours over minimum

of 1 year (minimum contact

75 hours) followed by

minimum 2 years coaching

experience

Level 4 (High Performance)

Role: Oversee high

performance programmes at

international/professional/club

representative level

Provide coaches with

skills relevant to train to

compete stage and to

design, implement and

monitor national or

professional club High

Performance systems

Technical, tactical, physical,

mental, personal, lifestyle

capacities relevant to train to

win (and retirement or

retainment) stage

Systems design and

management skills

Ethics

1 year course full-time or 2

year part-time

Level 4 (Development)

Role: Oversee development

programmes up to

international level

Provide coaches with

skills to design, implement

and monitor national and

International development

programmes

Long Term Athlete

Development

Talent development

Systems design and

management skills

Ethics

1 year course full-time or 2

year part-time

Colin Buckley EWF Executive Board Member – September 2013

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