Snow Australia Coach Education Framework
Snow Australia is pleased to present our new coach education framework. This framework was produced after a coaching pathways review undertaken in consultation with the APSI, Sport Australia and Leaders of Evolution.
The new structure includes both generic and discipline specific Snow Australia online modules, face-to-face discipline specific practical workshops, as well as mandatory external online modules delivered by Sport Australia and other national expert bodies. An overview of the new framework in PDF format can be viewed here or by cliking on the image below.
Further details on the components for each the Foundation, Talent and Coach Academy levels of the coach education system can be viewed below.
Snow Australia Coaching Fundamentals 2020The Fundamentals 1 Online Coaching Modules are due to be rolled out at the start of the 2020 Australian winter. All the external online requirements (provided by Sport Australia, Play by the Rules and ASADA) are already publically accessible. The Fundamentals 2 Practical Workshops were set to be held during the 2020 winter, however are currently on hold due to the COVID-19 national social distancing guidelines. Snow Australia will make an accouncement when workshops are able to be scheduled. |
Snow Australia Coach Membership
Snow Australia Coach membership provides coaches with access to the Snow Australia Coaching Portal and other member benefits. The coach membership can be renewed annually, or be acquired as an add-on to other Snow Australia membership categories. The membership portal displays each coach’s progress towards certification and includes where appropriate certificates of both participation and accreditation.
Foundation Coach Accreditation (Level 1)
Coaching is the foundation of participation and performance in any sport. Snow Australia’s Foundation Level coaching courses are aimed at instructors, ex-athletes and other prospective winter sport coaches beginning their coaching journey. The courses consists of both internal Snow Australia and external online components, as well as face-to-face practical sessions. Most of the theoretical components are delivered in new Snow Australia online courses, which consist of bite-size modules.
While there is some minor differences between disciplines, in general full accreditation at the Foundation level will include the following requirements:
- Completion of the Snow Australia Introduction to Coaching online course
- Completion of at least one of the Snow Australia Discipline Fundamentals 1 online courses:
- Alpine
- Cross Country
- Freestyle
- Snowboard - Attend the relevant Snow Australia discipline specific Fundamentals 2 practical workshops:
- Alpine & Ski Cross
- Cross Country Dryland & On-Snow
- Freestyle
- Snowboard & Snowboard Cross
- Park & Pipe - Completion of the Sport Australia Community Coach General Principles online course
- Completion of the Play By The Rules (PBTR) Child Protection online course
- Completion of the ASADA Coach and ASADA Level 1 Anti-Doping online modules
In addition, accredited Snow Australia coaches must be current members, possess current Working With Children Checks (or other state equivalent), and have current 1st Aid qualifications. For the Alpine, Freestyle and Snowboard disciplines, APSI Instructor qualifications are also a pre-requisite.
Talent Development Coach Accreditation (Level 2)
At the Talent Development Level of Snow Australia's coach accreditation coaching pathways become individualised through the selection of different modules relevant to the coaches activities. A coach leading international teams may have different skill priorities compared to a coach working predominanlty within an Australian based pathway program. Some modules are discipline specific while others are generic across Snow Australia's skiing and snowboarding disciplines. Different areas of Sport Science are covered through Sport Australia's Intermediate Coaching modules.
The content of the Level 2 modules are being developed in consultation with Snow Australia discipline coaches and National Institute Network (NIN) sport science experts. The roll-out of these modules is expected to begin in 2021.
Snow Australia Coach Academy - High Performance Coaches
The Snow AUS Coach Academy caters for Australia's up and coming skiing and snowboarding high performance coaches working with international level athletes. Individual coaching development plans are put in place for each coach, incorporating international experience, expert mentoring and personal development opportunities. The framework of the Snow AUS Coach Academy has been developed in consultation with Sport Australia, the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) and National Institute Network (NIN), and sits underneath the AIS Performance Coach and AIS Podium Coach programs.
The first Snow AUS Coach Academy workshops were held in 2019, involving targeted coaches invited from leading pathway programs and presenters from the AIS and NSWIS.
Talent Development Coach Accreditation (Level 2)
At the Talent Development Level of Snow Australia's coach accreditation coaching pathways become individualised through the selection of different modules relevant to the coaches activities. A coach leading international teams may have different skill priorities compared to a coach working predominanlty within an Australian based pathway program. Some modules are discipline specific while others are generic across Snow Australia's skiing and snowboarding disciplines. Different areas of Sport Science are covered through Sport Australia's Intermediate Coaching modules.
The content of the Level 2 modules are being developed in consultation with Snow Australia discipline coaches and National Institute Network (NIN) sport science experts. The roll-out of these modules is expected to begin in late 2022.
High Performance Coaching
Snow Australia's Coach Academy program provides a High Performance coaching pathway for targeted coaches working at the higher end of the athlete development pathway.
Snow Australia Coaching Framework
Snow Australia's framework was produced after a coaching pathways review undertaken in consultation with the APSI, Sport Australia and Leaders of Evolution.
The new structure includes both generic and discipline specific Snow Australia online modules, face-to-face discipline specific practical workshops, as well as mandatory external online modules delivered by Sport Australia and other national expert bodies. An overview of the new framework in PDF format can be viewed here or by clicking on the image below