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 BAF- BFA
As you may be aware Peter Northam and I met with Keith Smith at Bristol on the 16th of September. At Keith’s invitation, Neil Brown also attended the meeting.
Prior to the meeting there were rumours and misinformation referring to what the Academy is prepared to do or accept. Needless to say, people with little or no knowledge of the current Academy policy propagated these so called facts.
For some time we have been trying to establish the BFA’s criteria such that our members can be included en bloc on the BFA Coaching Register. After a brief discussion we were informed that the Academy would have to comply with the following for each of our members:
- Pay a levy for each member
- Verify the coaching awards of each member (Academy awards would be accepted).
- Provide certification for each member for all the following:
- CRB clearance certificate, not older than 3 months, issued by either a school, the BAF or the BFA.
- Attendance of the Coaching and Good Practices Course as recommended by the NSPCC.
- A first aid qualification.
We were informed that this was a directive from UK Sport to the BFA and is therefore mandatory and not negotiable.
Without the above a coach could not be included on the register and would be virtually unable to work.
The meeting ended amicably and I requested that Keith provide a letter outlining the BFA policy concerning the BFA Coaching Register.
Since the meeting, a number of emails have been exchanged between Peter and Keith, and the above requirements have been confirmed in writing. I have also been informed that the BFA has no room for manoeuvre. On the 30th of September, our committee considered the criteria and have subsequently asked Keith for clarification of certain details relating to the policy. In fairness, at the time of writing, he has not had sufficient time to reply.
In the light of the statement concerning the ability of a coach who is not on their register to work or be employed, the Academy has conducted a survey in order to establish what most employers actually require from a coach in respect of qualifications, CRB Clearance and first aid etc.
Two simple questions were asked:
- What criteria must a visiting coach meet in order to teach or coach in your school, college, authority etc?
- What criteria must full-time staff meet in order to teach in your school, college, authority etc?
The facts that emerged are as follows:
Some major city councils insist on National Governing Body qualifications, CRB clearance, two references and proof of equity in your coaching (Insurance). However, they only recommend that coaches are first aid qualified and have attended a ‘Safeguarding & Protecting Children’ course.
Schools (state, public and independent) and Universities:
For visiting coaches - require evidence of a coaching certificate and CRB, although CRB may not be required when working with over 18s. No formal requirement of having attended a Child Protection or First Aid course.
Permanent members of staff – require evidence of subject-related qualifications. CRB certification is mandatory. In some cases sports centre staff are required to be qualified in first aid.
Specific to first aid - the survey showed that none of the establishments surveyed required coaches to be qualified in first aid. However, some said that they would like coaches to attend a training course. Our survey also indicated that many establishments have nominated first-aiders on their full-time staff. There appears to be reluctance concerning the training of all staff and the resulting possibility of being sued as a result of first aid being administered.
NSPCC training – this was not mandatory for either staff or coaches, although permanent staff did receive
(non-NSPCC-specific) child protection part of their in-house training.
Since meeting with Keith, I have been approached by a number of coaches who have expressed concerns regarding the BFA and England Fencing policies for coach registration.
Some coaches who are in the twilight of their careers have indicated that they would seriously consider giving up coaching rather than conform to the BFA/EF policy. I don’t think any of us would like to lose such coaches whose wealth of experience and contribution to our sport is immeasurable.
At the other end of the scale I have been approached by a number of fencers who have indicated that they would not get qualified, or simply cease to coach, whilst so many obstacles are being placed in their way. Our sport needs more coaches not less.
There are also those who have expressed concerns about maintaining an accurate database. It was recently brought to my attention that an outside agency contacted BFA HQ, regarding “Club Mark” registration, in an attempt to verify the coaching qualifications of a small number of coaches in the South West. The agency was informed that, as the coaches were not listed on the BFA coaching register, they were not recognised. This was despite the fact that some of these coaches are associated with the national squads.
Whilst the current BFA policy may in the long-term be not only desirable but also essential, I am of the opinion that in the short term (say, over the next 5 years) it could prove to be damaging to fencing in general. It is not unreasonable to believe that some coaches will not to conform to BFA policy and therefore we may lose track of them. Equally it is highly likely that some coaches will simply give up due to the peripheral qualifications and checks they may have to acquire. This loss might lead to a reduction in the number of clubs. As for coaching in schools and universities, if the BFA only maintains a list of those who meet the current criteria, then this might also lead to a reduction in the number of people fencing.
Having been told the BFA policy is a mandatory requirement of UK Sport, doesn’t anyone in British Fencing ever question such decisions or suggest an alternative or consider that such a policy may damage the sport? I think not. I suspect that UK Sport are attempting to implement a single policy to fit all sports. In this case it does not fit fencing.
P.Bruce
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