We recently held our 6th Fundamental Gymnastics Coaching Course on 15, 16 and 23 February and till date we had almost 100 Fundamental courses through the programme.

For the course just passed, we had a mixture of participants including young 16-year old athletes, National Team gymnasts, parents, budding novice coaches and even a former Javelin thrower from Korea! Everyone brought in their experiences and developed further understanding of theory and practical skills. During the gym-based sessions, participants were setting up circuits and leading micro-coaching activities, observing and giving feedback to fellow peers. Many times they were also put into groups to discuss or design an activity before sharing with the rest their thoughts. Our courses adopt an experiential learning approach as after all, coaching is a very hands on and dynamic topic.

As we keep running the Fundamental course jointly presented by Singapore Gymnastics and Republic Polytechnic, we strive to continuously streamline course operations and processes, improve course delivery to make it fruitful for all our participants. The course was first developed in 2018, from a purely face-to-face course delivery where documents were only given on the first day, blended learning has been introduced in late 2019 whereby participants can now read up via online media before coming to the course, reducing in classroom theory but giving more time for group discussions and hands-on coaching practice. After all, this is a coaching course. Rather than just reading up on coaching, we want participants to experience it.

Once the 3 day course is over, it does not mean the participants are now qualified coaches yet. In order to be presented with the Certificate of Achievement endorsed by COACH-SG, participants first have to complete and submit the following items:

• Pre-course online workbook
• WADA certification
• Individually-designed circuit lesson plan
• On the job training (10 coaching hours) with a SG-affiliated club
• Fundamental Face to Face Course (competency assessment)
• First Aid Certificate (responsibility of individuals)

Upon receipt of the Fundamental Coaching Certificate, candidates would then be eligible to apply for NROC membership with COACHSG via www.sportsync.sg Please note that NROC membership is individual-initiated. For more information about NROC and Continuing Coach Education (CCE), please read https://www.sportsingapore.gov.sg/Athletes-Coaches/Coaches-Corner/National-Registry-of-Coaches

Why is it important for coaches to be accredited and continuously upgrade themselves through Continuing Coach Education (CCE)?

• It builds a foundation for safe coaching as safety is always a top priority
• Gaining a credential encourages coaches to develop themselves and acquire more knowledge, it also shows they are committed to their profession 
• As coaching continues to grow and expand, credentialing will also continue to rise in importance; people looking for a coach are far more likely to ask about certification, credentials and experience
• Provides a forum for ideas
• Supports the provision of competent coaches in the gymnastics environment

For interested parties who want to start off as Fundamental coaches, the next upcoming course is on 11, 12 & 19 July 2020. What is even more exciting is that participants can now use SkillsFuture for their Singapore Gymnastics Fundamental Gymnastics Coaching Course! Combining the use of Republic Polytechnic's learning management system, we look forward to bring greater resource access and benefits to coaches development. Registration for the upcoming July Fundamental Gymnastics Coaching Course can be found via https://www2.rp.edu.sg/psc/public/EMPLOYEE/SA/c/N_FLUID_MENU.N_AD_CET_NONCRT_FL.GBL?course=FGCC

From there on, Fundamental coaches ready to take their coaching journey and education to the next level and specialise can considered between the 6 types of Intermediate Gymnastics Coaching Course that Singapore Gymnastics offers:

Year 2020 sees the focus on coaches education and we strive to support our coaches to bring them to the next level in their sporting career!