Foundation Coaching Community

The Foundation Community Who are the participants being coached? In the Learn stage enjoying their first organised sport experiences - eg: Primary school students receiving sport exposure visits Primary school organised sport and PE Club based junior sport (modified programmes) After school programmes School holiday programmes

The Foundation Community Who are the coaches? Can come from anywhere – it’s not about ‘who’ you are but rather whether you understand and care about the development of young Kiwis. Parents Primary school teachers Regional Sport Development Officers Older secondary school students Tertiary students Private providers

The Foundation Community What are the ideal attributes for a foundation coach? Nurture a love of sport and active recreation Focus primarily on fun, participation and skill development Understand the needs of young participants in the Learn Stage – primarily primary school age children Encourage multiple sports and skills Introduce the concept of fair play Understand they create not only better young athletes, but better young people Have a sense of working in a wider coaching community with similar goals

The Foundation Community What are the challenges? Lack of information and data regarding the coaches As a consequence it’s hard to contact the coaches The coaches have limited time The coaches have limited knowledge There is an element of fear – lack of confidence Seen more as a parent helper rather than coach Low retention rate