At one of the junior clubs I run we have traditionally played a weekly ladder competition that flows from week to week.  Over the past few months we have become really busy and with that have experienced an increase in the range of ages and standards of players present.  The ladder was becoming a competition that (I thought was) discouraging some players as they found themselves low down with a seemingly unassailable climb. I had […]

I was a part of a group of tutors debating the pre-requisites for a UKcc L1 Assistant Badminton Coach.  There were some strong and mixed views.  There were arguments that a good level of playing ability should be required; and arguments that it is not necessary.  There were arguments that they need to be able to umpire/score doubles matches, and suggestions that this was not important. Where do I sit? I’m not sure it matters!  […]

Having run a series of district and County competitions over the past month I have  a few observations to share. At at a Primary school County Final event, having played group stages we reached the stage whereby the County Champion would be crowned.  I had organised the event in such a way that every team would have the same number of fixtures and be involved right until the end of the day.  So, the final […]

I watched this video earlier Learning Styles There is a fair amount of dislike for “Learning Styles” from a variety of academics at the moment.  I am not an active academic, but I am an active coach and coach educator.  I wonder whether it matters if “learning styles” exist?  Perhaps what is more important is the impact that any belief in/interpretation of the theory has upon practice.  Practice is what interests me.  In sport and Physical Education we […]

Those of you who follow me on twitter (@gingercoaching) will be aware that with SASP (@SASPSomerset) I have been working on a project to aid less experienced coaches in their reflection and hence to help them evolve and develop as coaches in a more autonomous manner.  The logistics of mentoring coaches through observation are challenging and hence the idea is to develop a toolkit that enables the customers to air their views.  Ultimately what they think […]

The Devon Youth Cricket Foundation arranged a 4 hour workshop run by ex-England ‘keeper and current Notts captain Chris Read.  Chris didn’t charge to deliver this session meaning it was free for coaches across Devon – a great opportunity.  Chris delivers the wicketkeeping aspect of the ECB Level 4 coaching programme so for a lowly level 2 coach like myself this was a chance not  to be missed. There were 4 Devon age group wicketkeepers […]

Having blogged in the past about CPD, and had a bit of a moan, I have to say how valuable I found a discussion group I attended this week.  It was hosted by SASP, was not certified and as such went wherever we wanted it to go – helped by some skillful facilitation. We discussed various thoughts around coaching prompted by a couple of group tasks and short youtube videos on “quality coaching”.  The main […]

An interesting situation occurred this evening. I coach (with a colleague) for a local leisure provider.  Players pay the sports centre to participate.  We are employed to deliver a session between set times.  Once those times end, who is responsible for the child?  We have another session with different players following straight on from the previous one.  If a parent is not there on time to collect their child, and they wait in reception or in the carpark, […]

I am quite excited to be working with some newly qualified coaches in a mentoring capacity.  With SASP, Somerset Badminton and the South Somerset CBN we are looking at ways to informally formalise the way in which this happens in order to add real value to the process and to really help the coaches develop. Self-reflection is something we feel is of vital importance, and if you’ve read any of my blogs or tweets (@gingercoaching) […]

The Devon Cricket Board requested a review of our project to include in material they will distribute to future participant clubs.  For those who haven’t heard of Chance to Shine, have a look here: http://www.chancetoshine.org/about/campaign The project was delivered by gingercoaching on behalf of Seaton Cricket Club. We worked with 6 primary schools with groups across KS2.  Initially sessions were led by our coach, but as weeks went on, the class teachers were given increased […]