UK Athletics High Performance Centre
Loughborough University
THE latest edition of the European Athletics Newsletter is available for download on the following link:
ENGLAND Athletics East Midlands is happy to offer all EA affiliated clubs in the East Midlands access to Flying Coaches.
Flying Coaches are highly qualified and experienced coaches who will work across the East Midlands to support clubs and coaches to develop good practice within the club environment. This will happen by supporting new coaches or more experienced coaches to deliver sessions to groups of athletes or by simply mentoring coaches individually or across event groups.
Examples of what can be provided are:
Event Specific Support
Strength and Conditioning Support
Fundamentals of Movement
Planning and Preparation
Performance Analysis
Conditions:
In order to ensure sustainability clubs will have to provide one coach per 10 athletes to work with the flying coach at all sessions.
Road Running Clubs do not need to provide a coach but the Flying Coach will work alongside any coaches or group leaders to support delivery of sessions.
Coaches from other clubs should be able to access this resource with
prior agreement.
The programme is based on 6 sessions, but can be tailored to suit individual club needs. England Athletics East Midlands will fund 50% of the cost of these sessions. Sessions will be charged at £15 per hour.
THE latest edition of the IAAF NEWS is available for download on the following link:
STEVE RIPPON
High Performance Manager - UK Athletics
Contact Tel: 01509 228770
E-mail:
GEORGE GANDY
Director of Athletics
Contact Tel: 01509 226328
E-mail:
NICK DAKIN
Athletics Director of Coaching
Contact Tel: 01509 228468
E-mail:
JOHN NUTTALL
Endurance Performance Coach
E-mail:
BILL FOSTER
Middle Distance Coach
E-mail:
THE newly appointed UK Road Running Leadership Group (RRLG) has given itself until the end of this year to unify the sport’s massive army of ‘foot soldiers’ and find a way to finance endurance running at all levels.
Transitional arrangements for this year have already been communicated to all permit officers and will enable races to continue operating safely and smoothly while the sport focuses on its future from 1st April 2008.
The appointed group comprises Dave Bedford, Director of the Flora London Marathon, the world’s biggest marathon, and former world 10,000m record holder during his own inspirational career; Hugh Brasher, Chief Executive Officer of Sweatshop, the UK’s largest specialist retailer of running wear, and promoter of the Sweatshop series of road races; Max Coleby, co-founder of the Great North Run, and promoter / course director of smaller events; Zara Hyde Peters, Director of Athletics at UK Athletics and a regular road racer; Nigel Rowe, Chair of England Athletics’ South West region and director of the Plymouth Half Marathon; and Geoff Wightman, Chief Executive of Scottish Athletics and a former international marathon runner. Between them, this group represents the interests of event organisers across the whole spectrum from small club events to major charity fund-raisers.
They have co-opted as temporary project consultant Jack Buckner, the former European 5000m champion whose commercial career includes 10 years as Marketing Director of a major sportswear manufacturer.
The group has summarised its headline purpose, which is to improve the standard and participation of road running in the UK on behalf of UK Athletics. The values of the group are to demonstrate in all their deliberations:
-Quality
-Teamwork
-Inclusiveness
-Success
Its aims are to find ways of benefiting all of the UK’s 2,000-plus road races and 2 million runners in the following crucial spheres:
Administration – ensuring best possible standards of delivery UK-wide covering permits, standards, insurance, medical cover, police, local authorities, health and safety, plus grading;
Finance – the massive issue of income generation and re-investment;
Marketing – including communications, online resources, broadening participation, serving race organisers and runners;
Performance – improving standards in endurance throughout the UK.
It amounts to the most concerted effort ever to help all race organisers – whether they are local authorities, clubs, charities, private companies or governing bodies – to find their niche and to ensure that all standards of endurance runners obtain maximum benefits, whether they are seeking health and fitness en route to the local or major medals on the way to London 2012.
Bedford, whose own career took in major track and cross country successes before he helped make the Flora London Marathon the major Pied Piper of road running, said: “The breadth of the road running spectrum in the UK presents us with quite a challenge.
“The bigger road races have developed their own systems for medical and policing issues but it is time to spread that out in an appropriate way so that smaller events can be helped to raise their game as well.
“Many race organisers are also pretty sick of being tax collectors of unattached levies. There have got to be better ways of supporting road running.
“This Group is not just a governing body scheme – I wouldn’t have thrown my hat into the ring if it was – but we have the right people, each with more than 20 years’ involvement in our sport, to re-energise and make proposals to transform road running for the better.
“There are some quite radical ideas on the table and we will consult widely and carefully around these – and will move quickly. By early 2008, I expect us to be underway with the positive steps that will eventually make British road racing the clear number one in the world for participation, governance and performance.”
NORWICH UNION star:track application forms for schemes between July 2007 and June 2008 are now available from UK Athletics.
Last year over 25,000 children took part in over 600 schemes throughout the UK. Over £80,000 was distributed in project funding, enabling organisers to enhance their schemes with exciting new projects.
Stuart Attwell, Development Coordinator explains: “Organisers do not need to know their scheme dates or venues to register with UK Athletics at this stage, however organisers wishing to apply for project funding to enhance their scheme, should return their form by 2nd March 2007.”
THE report on the competition review by Jack Buckner is available on the following the link:
Any feedback or comments should be emailed to the UK Athletics Competitions team at:
ENGLAND ATHLETICS has set a fixed affiliation fee of £50 for every club, plus £3 per athlete, when the national system replaces the present territorial schemes in April.
Affiliation to the new English governing body has been free during 2006, but as part of a slow, gradual transition process the figure will eventually rise to £5 per athlete in 2008.
“We looked at all three current schemes – in the North, Midlands and South – and tried to work out the best scheme,” said England Athletics chief executive Dr Alan Harrison. “It is only really a transference of what exists already today and the only additional side is that there will be a better development network, with regional councils and better interaction.”
Clubs in the South will be hit hardest, as they currently have the cheapest affiliation fees. But moving toward an English national affiliation scheme was one of the recommendations in Sir Andrew Foster’s review of athletics in the UK.
It is also hoped that a nationwide membership scheme will follow, although this is not imminent and Harrison was keen to stress that the key element of a membership scheme is choice.
“You cannot have a compulsory membership scheme,” he said. “Nobody should be forced to buy anything they do not want.”
A potential membership scheme, for instance, would offer benefits such as sports shop savings or a regular newsletter. An affiliation scheme, on the other hand, primarily allows clubs and athletes the right to take part in organised competitions covered by insurance.
The England affiliation scheme will be operated by the new Athletics Services – a new body headed by John Temperton to deal with administrative issues within England and UK Athletics.
A RECENT pilot training course for Level One Officials Tutors took place at Loughborough University, delivered by Alan Bell.
The course was targeted at teachers who deliver athletics to pupils aged 14 and over at Secondary Schools and Sixth form colleges, building on the volunteering and leadership programmes that have developed over the past few years. These include the DCMS Step into Sport programme, including the successful TOP Link festivals where young people lead and organise sports festivals for primary schools.
This was the first step for UK Athletics aiming to develop the profile of officiating amongst young people in education and engage them in officiating opportunities at school athletics events and ultimately club and county level competition.
Teachers, Sports Development Officers and PE lecturers attended the pilot course at Loughborough and were incredibly positive about the Level One course. General feedback was there were great opportunities to offer young people an insight into officiating and guidance information should be developed as to how young people can progress up the officiating ladder.
Liz Patrick, UK Athletics Senior Co-ordinator for Officials will be reviewing the pilot course and is looking to plan further tutor training courses in the Autumn.
WAYNE WALKER, the Leicestershire Athletics Development Officer will be working on the following priorities over the next few months:
Support and progress Clubmark applications for county clubs-specifically the three identified priority clubs: Harborough AC, Leicester Owls and Leicester Walking Club.
Set-up Development Squad management Group plan, organise and hold Development Squad sessions as identified in the plan.
Organise and plan 9 x 8 week taster coaching courses linking to clubs as identified in the Leicestershire Athletics Development Plan.
Organise 9 x Sports:hall Awarness days as identified in the plan.
New RETA (Regional Education training Officer)
Spencer Barden has left his post as RETA to take up a new role with UK Athletics as the senior Coordinator for Endurance.
Pat Cropper will now be covering the RETA role for the East Midlands, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as she has already been doing the RETA job in the West Midlands for several years. Pat cropper can be contacted on 0121 7054952 or 07816 829400 or via e-mail at:
Glenys Morton and Jim Edwards have been nominated to take part in a High performance Coaching Programme which has been launched in the East Midlands by Sports Coach UK (SCUK).
The main aims of the scheme are to provide key opportunities, support and funding for emerging performance coaches in the region, including the necessary development skills, knowledge and resources needed to coach effectively in a high performance environment. The programme is all about concentrating efforts on the core level of sport – the coaches.
The short term aim of the scheme is to develop a programme which enables coaches with the necessary skills and competencies to move into coaching in a high performance environment, with support and training required to really service the needs of the sport.
Glenys Morton is currently coaching two junior internationals, including Eden Francis, the AAA junior and English Schools champion and British international Shot and Discus athlete. Jim Edwards is coaching three athletes on the World Class Plan and was a regular coach on the regional talent academy.
THE last few months have been very productive in Leicestershire. Paul Miles has recently been appointed as Community Athletics Coach for 14 hours/week. Paul’s work will support the delivery of elements of the County Plan. In recent weeks he has been called upon to give radio interviews, be guest of honour (and throws official!) at various area schools sports and fitted in a range of coaching duties on top of this. Paul has also been busy coaching youth games squads for three boroughs and has proved to be a great asset.
Elsewhere 23 youngsters have been put through the Shine Young official’s award and around half of these have gained practical experience at the Youth games and the NWLDC area sports and will be helping at the County Primary schools Championships. Placements will be found to ensure all those on the course receive practical experience.
The Leicester-shire and Rutland Sports Partnership has provided coaching to 5 local authorities. Around 160 youngsters were in trials for Blaby, Wigston, Charnwood, Harborough and Leicester city – a handful have joined local club Leicester Coritanian AC. Similar developments have also taken place at Melton and Lutterworth.
The OWLS AC have organised ‘OLYMPIC IDOL’ which has tested around 500 youngsters in fun athletics events and has so far selected 55 youngsters to go through to round two which, after 4 coaching and selection sessions, further reduces the number to 30 athletes for the grand final in August.
At another initiative over 50 young Asian athletes took part in a pre star:track taster at Cossington Street recreation ground, Belgrave, and Leicester. Theses youngsters will be able to continue their involvement in the sport at a star:track event at the end of July.
ROGER BEEBY
Level 4 coach concentrating on the throwing disciplines. (Although can do multi events) Meets at the Saffron Lane Sports Centre in Leicester on Thursday evenings.
Contact:
PAUL BLISSETT
Middle Distance running, I coached for over 20 years from 1972, but took a break to spend more time with my family. I have been involved with school events since taking up a teaching post at Loughborough High School 5 years ago and I am now coaching again at club level.
I have worked with many of the counties top athletes in the past helping some of them to progress from promising youngsters to All England Schools Champions and Junior Internationals. I have also worked at Senior International level with athletes such as Craig Mochrie, Philip Makepeace and Joey Masterson.
I have a mix of both male and female athletes and the group is progressing nicely. We meet twice a week, but the venues vary so should anyone be interested in joining us they would be best to either contact me via e-mail or telephone, everyone is welcome regardless of ability.
Contact:
Tel: 0116 2302166
STEPHEN HOLT
Level 2 middle distance coach. Steve has recently relocated to Wishaw near Motherwell in Scotland. He would like to thank all the members of the Leicester Coritanian club and David Driver re: Leicestershire Schools for there help over the past six years that he as lived in Leicester. He would like to wish all Leicestershire athletes and coaches all the best in pursuit of excellence, and hopes in future all coaches from all clubs can perhaps work together. Anyone wishing to keep in contact Steve can do so via his e-mail.
Contact:
GEORGE SKAFIDAS
Based in Loughborough, experienced in coaching at high levels of competition, and also has over the last 7-8 years provided training schedules for elite Greek athletes from 400m to Marathon. PE teacher with BSc, PreMSc and Phd Sport Sciences qualifications, diploma member of ISRM a UK Athletics Coach Level 1 since 1997, and also a member of Greek Sports Coaches Association.
Contact:
Tel: 01509 232195
Level 1 Coaching Course
This course is an introduction to coaching skills, with a major emphasis on the “how to” skills rather than the “what” skills. Despite this there is a large practical element to the course with the theory being taught through the practical parts. During the course the coach will receive a complete manual of the course and following on from the course they will be entered onto the UK Athletics Coach database. A Coach pass and licence will be produced and will be sent out to the coach usually within 8 weeks of the course. As soon as the course has been completed the coach is qualified and insured to coach under the supervision of a coach qualified at Level 2 or higher.
The course is one day long (normally 9.00 until 5.00) and costs £50.
Level 2 Coaching Course
This course follows on from the Level 1 course. The “core” part of the award is taken by coaches of all disciplines and goes into greater depth on topics such learning styles, how to use questioning and give feedback in your coaching, how to use demonstrations appropriately, how to most effectively observe and analyse athletes you are coaching. At the same times topics such as planning a session, anatomy and physiology, strength training, development of power, teaching technique are all covered. Following on from the core, coaches go through a period of “supported practice” during which they will work with a more experienced coach. Some of these sessions will be logged and coaches are encouraged to reflect on what they have learnt. The final part of the award is an “event specific” day, when a coach will decide which event group they would like to specialise in (e.g. Sprints, Endurance, Jumps and Throws). This is a half-day session where coaches can expect to learn about the specific techniques involved in the events and how to coach them. During the final half-day session the coaches are assessed while they deliver a short coaching session that they have prepared previously.
Once all of the parts have been completed to a satisfactory level you will be upgraded to a Level 2 coach and should receive a new pass and licence to reflect this within approximately 8 weeks.
The core workshop takes place over 2 days (usually over one weekend).
The event specific day/assessment day is one full day (It usually takes place approximately 8 weeks after the core weekend has been completed).
The cost for the complete course is £120, the cost of any additional event specific days is £30.
Level 3 Coaching Course
The Level 3 Coaching Award is suitable for those who are working with athletes on a regular basis and are looking to improve their coaching and planning skills, whilst developing a greater understanding of what contributes to athletic performance both in general and with reference to a specific event or group of events.
Level 3 comprises of four phases that coaches must complete along with their own choice of optional module. Completion of Level 3 is by written and practical assessment; coaches must expect Level 3 to take a minimum of 12 months to complete.
Phase 1 – Autumn
Phase 2 – Spring
Phase 4 – Autumn
Course Costs
Phase 1 - £80
Phase 2 - £80
Phase 4 - £80
Level 4 Coaching Course
The Level 4 Coaching Award is aimed at those coaches who are committed to helping the athletes that they work with realise their potential and the management of this process.
Level 4 comprises of four phases that coaches must complete along with their own choice of optional modules. Further information relating to these is illustrated on the Coaching Pathway.
Completion of the Level 4 is by written and practical assessment; coaches must expect Level 4 to take a minimum of 18 months to complete.
UKA are planning to arrange the various phases at set times of the year to make it easier for coaches to plan their development. They will be as follows:
Phase 1 – Autumn
Phase 2 – Spring
Technical Event Module – Autumn
Course Costs
Phase 1 - £80
Phase 2 - £80
Phase 4 - £80
The Level 3 and 4 Awards are modular and coaches are required to complete the following elements;
Level 3
Phase 1 – Long Term Athlete Development, Performance and Development Coaching and Personal and Coaching Skills.
Phase 2 – Performance Factors.
Phase 3 – Mentored Practice.
Phase 4 – Technical Event Modules.
In addition to this coaches are required to complete optional modules specific to their own needs and interests.
Level 4
Phase 1 – Identifying Your Coaching Pathway
Phase 2 – Managing Performance and Development
Phase 3 – Mentored Practice
Phase 4 – Technical Event Modules
In addition to this coaches are required to complete optional modules specific to their own needs and interests.
Technical Event Modules – At both level 3 and 4 coaches will be able to choose in which event they wish to specialise. (At Level 3 - 100/200/400m and relays, Sprint/400mh, 800/1500m, 3-10 000m, Steeplechase, Cross Country, Marathon, Hill and Fell, Walks, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, High Jump, Shot, Discus, Hammer, Javelin, Combined Events and at level 4 the same events are offered, apart from speed events being broken down into 100/200 and relay, 400m and relay, Sprint hurdles and 400m hurdles.)
Primarily at Level 3 a specific event will be looked at in the context of the event group e.g. Throws, Jumps, before coaches are given the opportunity to concentrate further on their chosen specialism. The technical aspects of coaching the event will be explored, as will the ancillary factors that should be taken into consideration by coaches in specific events.
At Level 4 the focus is on one specific event and the following areas will be examined – Performance factors, Biomechanical Principles, Physiological Principles, Performance Management, Creativity, Problem Solving and Performance Analysis.
Mentoring Workshops – There are a series of two-day workshops planned for the coming months to examine and explore mentoring. Level 3 and 4 coaches that choose mentoring as their optional module will be able to explore the concept further both in the theoretical and practical sense within a workshop environment. These workshops have been designed for uk:athletics with substantial input from David Hemery who has also been involved in their delivery. (10 Credits)
Strength and Conditioning – All level 3 and 4 coaches have the option to add a Strength and Conditioning Qualification to their Coaching Pass and Licence. A two day workshop has been developed that outlines the basic movement patterns and techniques of the key lifts used in the development of strength. This is applied to athletics events and also to designing programmes and planning for the individual athlete. The workshop is supported by a video and resource pack to support coaches in their own practice. (10 Credits)
Further Optional Modules – Information regarding courses that uk:athletics will be offering will be available shortly. Coaches are also encouraged to look to other courses and workshops offered by external agencies such as Sports Coach UK and Sport England to meet their coaching needs and requirements.
Leaders Award – Children in Athletics (CIA) - £50 - Minimum Age: 14. The Children in Athletics course can be taken as a stand alone module but is ideally taken alongside a level one course. The CIA is ideal for people leading activities with children aged 8 – 13 years old. Or when combined with a Level 1 course for coaching children.
Fitness in Running and Walking Course - £50 Minimum Age: 16. This award is tailored to suit the individual involved in a wide variety of activities centred around fitness, running and walking. The course encompasses leadership skills, session planning, fitness factors and components, training principles and energy system. Courses are delivered through practical and classroom sessions.
Coaching licence and Renewal
The licensing system started in April 2001 with these three specific objectives in mind:
1. To encourage and support a culture of lifelong learning and continuous individual development of coaches throughout the UK.
2. To establish and maintain a network of support to coaches seeking to develop their coaching qualifications and help UK Athletics plus their partners in the Home Countries, Territories and Regions to communicate efficiently and effectively with coaches
3. To provide UK Athletics and our partners with an accurate database with which to strategically plan coach education and coaching provision throughout the UK.
Those principles remain firm today; and of course, the coach licence is also designed to assist coaches in their coaching and their own personal development. It provides a summary of the coach’s qualifications, assists in the renewal process, records progress to the next level of award and provides information about the extensive insurance cover provided by UK Athletics for every UK Athletics qualified coach. Finally, the licence establishes a firm commitment by every coach to work within the guidelines of the athletics welfare policy and procedures.
The coach licence renewal process is now well under way, with coaches in the process of informing UK Athletics and the Home Countries about the many varied activities that they are taking part in. Many of the clubs have taken a very proactive role in helping their coaches to continue their development by organising seminars and workshops with deliverers from both in and outside of the club. All coaches have received a copy of the Coaching Newsletter, which is full of information about the renewal of the coaching licence and opportunities for ongoing coaching development.
For further information on the various courses contact UK Athletics Regional Education and Training Administrator, Pat Cropper on 0121 7054952 or 07816 829400.
UK:ATHLETICS and Norwich Union have combined to present an athletics proficiency award scheme. The Norwich Union shine:awards replace and bring together the very best of the AAA of England's 5 Star Award Scheme, the South of England AA's 10 Step Award Scheme and the Scottish Athletics Federation's Magic Mac and Thistle Award Schemes and it is also supported by the Athletics Association of Wales, the Northern Ireland Athletics Federation and the Sports Hall Athletics Association.
The Norwich Union shine:awards reflect the new vision for UK Athletics fun to fulfilment and is a flagship development initiative aimed at becoming the most prestigious and sought after award scheme for young people across the UK. UK Athletics aim to raise the profile and image of athletics through the use of this high tech award scheme. The Norwich Union shine:awards utilise technology in an innovative way to involve and excite children, teachers and coaches and which will encourage all children to 'have a go' and to shine regardless of their age or ability level. The Norwich Union shine:awards is a flagship development of uk:athletics, which reflects its vision - 'fun to fulfilment'.
The Norwich Union shine:awards provide opportunities for children from the age of three and upwards to try athletics through fun physical challenges and rewards them for their efforts.
They promote an incentive to learn and to develop individual athletic skill through four levels of activity:
Level 1 - Play and Learn, 3-8yrs
Level 2 - Participation, 7-12yrs
Level 3 - Getting Better, 11-15yrs
Level 4 - Performance, 14yrs +
The Norwich Union shine:awards aim to cater for the children of all abilities, so an adapted version of the scheme is included at all levels for young people with disabilities.
For further information see the following web-site:
NORWICH UNION sports:hall reaches communities helping today's kids become tomorrows athletes.
What is Norwich Union sports:hall?
An exciting and fun athletics team game with the emphasis on taking part and enjoyment.
- A child friendly format that uses brightly coloured equipment specially designed with safety in mind.
- A competition focus for budding athletes who have learned skills when taking part in Norwich Union star:track and Norwich Union shine:awards.
- An effective first step into the world of traditional track and field athletics. Many of the current UK track and field stars started their careers in sports:hall including Olympic Gold medallist Denise Lewis.
There are three Norwich Union sports:hall national programmes Norwich Union Fun in Athletics for 8-10 year olds.
- The emphasis is on fun enjoyment and giving one's best for the good of the team.
- Teams of 14 boys and girls areraised from counties or districts to take part in Regional festivals of fun.
Norwich Union sports:hall 'Team Challenge' for under 13’s.
- An exciting competition requiring competitors to have a multi-skilled approach to athletics.
- Each county or district is invited to raise a team of 12 boys and 12 girls to take part in a regional Final
Norwich Union sports:hall 'All-Rounder' for under 15’s.
- A multi-event measurement of fitness and ability requiring skilful team management. Each county or district is invited to select teams of 7 boys and 7 girls to compete in a Regional Final.
A Regional Finals all over the UK teams compete for a place in the Grand UK Final at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham. Anyone who has been to this event will know the talent and team spirit is abundant. In the words of former UK international long jumper Jo Wise 'the atmosphere is electric'.
Since its modest beginning in the north west of England Sports Hall Athletics has spread to every corner of the United Kingdom and to over 30 other countries throughout the world. Its success has been outstanding and over 300,000 children are now involved in the United Kingdom alone. An Association was formed in 1984 which is affiliated to uk:athletics and the programme forms a major part of the UK Athletics development strategy.
For further information see the following web-site:
ELEVATING Athletics has been specifically designed to develop movement literacy for all pupils aged 5-11 via the core physical skills of walking, running, jumping and throwing and athleticism in pupils aged 11-16, through the introduction and development of event-specific techniques within these same disciplines.
The structure of the resource is designed to support teachers in exploring a variety of teaching styles, moving away from the traditional teacher-centred style of lesson delivery and encouraging inclusive pupil-focussed lessons with maximum pupil participation. The breadth of activities demonstrated provides teachers with an opportunity to adapt lessons to incorporate different teaching styles to meet the desired learning outcomes.
Elevating Athletics has been created to motivate pupils in every activity by encouraging the inclusion of all pupils regardless of ability and shifting the focus to the improvement of a pupil’s personal performance rather than winning or losing. This self-reference climate encourages all pupils to try their best and to set personal goals to improve their own performances.
The Elevating Athletics resource comprises:
A dedicated teacher folder comprising Teacher and Pupil Activity Cards, lesson planning tips and a range of posters for use in the classroom and / or sports hall. a 45-minute DVD to complement the content of the printed pack.
Teacher and Pupil Activity Cards comprise the bulk of the resources, to assist with the development of technique of each of the core skills covered. These contain clear instruction, highlight necessary equipment requirements and suggestions for variations to all activities.
Pupil Activity Cards can be used by pupils on their own or as additional teacher cards for delivery by the teacher to the class. If being used by pupils, it is suggested that activities in the cards be set up and demonstrated by the teacher beforehand. Pupil Activity Cards can be photocopied for distribution.
Icons are employed frequently throughout the pack and are designed to ease the selection of the activity cards for each lesson, according to the audience, learning objective and available equipment.
Indicates whether the activity is suitable for indoor our outdoor use (or both), indicates age suitability for each activity, indication of cross-curricular potential, indicates that the exercise either requires no modification for full inclusion or that suggestions for modification have been included.
We welcome the sharing of good practice and invite you to participate in one of the forums on the bulletin board or to feedback to us exactly how these resources have benefited you, and what could be done to improve them.
THE Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme, or TASS as it is better known, is a Government funded programme that represents a unique partnership between sport and higher and further education. TASS is about developing talent today for sporting success tomorrow.
TASS bridges the gap in sport’s talent development pathway between junior representative sport and world-class levels for our most talented 16 to 25 year old sportspeople.
The TASS programme has been created to help hundreds to fulfil their sporting potential by maintaining a sensible balance between academic life or employment whilst training and competing as a performance athlete.
Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, five times Olympic Champion said: “I know how difficult it is to develop in your sport to the highest levels whilst undertaking academic studies or a career. This exciting new scheme provides our most promising future Olympians with top quality sporting services and access to good quality training facilities.”
Who is eligible for TASS?
There are two ways in which TASS can help talented sportspeople in England:
TASS Scholarships
They are for 18 to 25 year olds (extended upper age limit of 35 for scholar with a disability) who are undertaking higher or further education; and
TASS Bursaries
They are for 16 to 19-years-olds (extended upper age limit of 35 for bursar with a disability) who are undertaking further education or have left education to pursue a career.
What sports does TASS support?
There are 47 sports that are eligible for TASS, of which 15 are disability sports. They are:
TASS Sports
Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cricket, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Golf, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Netball, Orienteering, Rowing, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Sailing, Shooting, Skiing, Speed Skating, Swimming, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Water Skiing, Women’s Football.
TASS Disability Sports
Archery, Athletics, Swimming, Equestrian, Powerlifting, Boccia, Judo, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Tennis, Sailing, Shooting, Wheelchair Basketball, Fencing, Cycling, Wheelchair Rugby.
What support do TASS athletes receive?
TASS athletes that are awarded a scholarship will receive sporting services to the value of £3,000, and those awarded a bursary will receive sporting services to the value of £1,000.
Sport’s national governing bodies design a customised package of core sporting services for their TASS athletes comprising, for example, coaching, sports medicine, sports science, strength and conditioning, and lifestyle management. TASS athletes will also have access to good quality training facilities.
Who provides the sporting services to TASS athletes?
TASS operates across England through nine regional consortia. Each consortium comprises several higher and further education institutions that work together to provide a package of sporting services to TASS scholars and bursars in their region. There are currently over 90 educational establishments across England delivering sporting services on behalf of the programme.
How are TASS athletes identified?
Most stars of the future are known by their national governing bodies and already receive support to develop in their sport, and it is therefore these bodies that are in the best position to select athletes for a TASS award. TASS athletes are also identified from other sources, including nominations to governing bodies from schools, colleges, and universities.
Who do I contact about applying for a TASS award?
In the first instance, you should check that you, or the person you are nominating, meets the eligibility criteria in respect of age and sport. You should then approach your sport’s national governing body. Contact details for the governing bodies and eligibility criteria can be found on the TASS website at:
A TASS bursary or scholarship is made annually for the period 1 August to 31 July. Providing that the sport’s governing body recommends an award, support can continue for more than one year. Funding is paid directly to the service provider and not to the TASS athlete.
Governing bodies also monitor and regularly assess the performance of TASS athletes to ensure that they make full use of the services and facilities provided for them in order to fully develop as an athlete.
How can I find out more about TASS?
More information can be found on the TASS website at:
The Level 1 Assistant Officials Award will help you to develop skills in the following areas and enable you to assist qualified officials at athletics events.
The Award will help you:
To be able to measure distances and times, make and share judgements, record observations, judgements and data, ensure safety and report concerns, liase and communicate with other officials and athletes, report rule infringements, follow procedures and apply rules.
To be athlete centred, fair, unobtrusive, sensitive, diplomatic, systematic, firm, focused, objective, decisive, consistent and calm.
To know the rules of events, officiating procedures and the types of events (e.g. Track and Field, Sportshall and Off Track).
Course Format:
The award is a three – four hour course and will focus on what you will do when assisting at an event. You will look at preparation prior to the event, what you will need to do during and following the event. The award will focus on the specific judging principles of the throws events, the jumping events, track judging, timekeeping and starting. These areas can be looked at in greater detail within the uk:athletics Level 2 Officiating Awards.
Officials operate in a team environment and you will be helped to recognise and deliver your role within the team, support others and share information with athletes and colleagues.
The Course Sections:
Introduction, Measuring Distance, Measuring Time, Measuring Height, Health and Safety/Risk Assessment, Officiating at an event, Wrap up.
Each section contains a set of outcomes and practical and/or theoretical elements. A recommended amount of time has been has been allocated to cover each section. This is the minimum period that should be allowed to cover the requirements of each section.
After the course you will have the opportunity to apply your new skills to officiating at an event. With a little prior planning and guidance in risk assessment, you will be helped to support the delivery of an athletics competition.
Upon completion of the award you will receive a uk:athletics Athletics Assistant Officials pass and licence. You will be fully qualified and insured to assist at athletics events. uk:athletics recognises the importance of its officiating workforce and would like to give you every support, whatever level you chose to deliver at. Without your support there would be fewer opportunities for athletes of all levels, clubs and representative teams to participate in athletics and they would like to thank and welcome you to the team.
For further details contact uk:athletics at:
4 July 2008 – Stockholm, Sweden – A clash between Usain Bolt, Jamaica’s World record holder in the 100 metres and his fellow countryman, the former World record holder Asafa Powell, is set for the DN Galan - IAAF World Athletics Tour - on 22 July at Stockholm’s Olympic Stadium.
4 July 2008 - Nairobi, Kenya - Commonwealth Games Champion Lucy Wangui Kabuu won the 10,000 metres final on a cool sunny morning during the first day of the Kenyan trials for the Beijing Olympics today at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.