[<<] [>>] by Bruce Rannie
22nd May 2002 (CqE Official News)

The third CA Coach Qualification Course took place at Cheltenham Croquet Club on 18th and 19th May 2002, and as a result, 14 more players are now appointed to the new officially recognised CA Coaching Grade of "Club Coach", signified by a Yellow Coach's badge. Bruce Rannie, Chairman of the CA Coaching Committee, who attended all sessions of the course, presented certificates and badges to the students, who represent clubs in the South West, South, South East and West Midlands areas (see list below). This course was sponsored by the South West Federation, and included three students from the Taunton Deane club, which is in the process of applying for National Lottery money, and whose application requires formally trained and qualified coaches to be present amongst the membership!

Michael Hague, Coaching and Development Officer for the South East Federation, leads the course, which is based on material he has researched and prepared, and is designed to show students HOW to teach, concentrating on the requirements for planning, preparation and communication. A retired Brigadier, Michael's experience throughout his career has been in training, in the field, in sports, and in teaching others how to teach.

The structure of the course is 25% talk and 75% participation, including two syndicate exercises, and preparation and delivery of two half-hour lessons, one teaching a skill, the other teaching some elements of tactics. The method of communication recommended relates all that is being taught to five principles on which successful Association Croquet is based, these being Accuracy, Foresight, Straightforward Shots, Exploiting Rushes, and Exploiting the Rush Line.

Although most examples used to get the teaching methods over to the students are based on Association Croquet, some based on Golf Croquet were included to show that it is the methodology of teaching that is important, not what is being taught. The key points on delivery are to involve the students by using correct questioning techniques, and to ensure that they maximise mental and physical student activity by getting them to work out the next move and play the shot, rather than the coach doing it all.

The students are split into syndicates each of which is led by an experienced coach, rotating over the four half-days between groups. The Directing Staff act as facilitator, role-player and mentor as required - at Cheltenham, these were David Magee and Bob Whitaker, with Michael Hague himself taking some sessions, assisted by Bruce Rannie.

The prepared lessons are given to other members of the syndicate, who play the roles as required for the level of student for whom that lesson is designed, and each lesson (called to a halt as the messages become clear) is constructively criticised by the others in the group, and the Directing Staff. The lesson on tactics is given twice, first using a magnetic board to Michael and part of the group, and secondly on the courts, in their original syndicates, so that students can learn the differences in technique required for delivering material in these media.

All the participants joined in the role-playing with gusto, ensuring that the players did not assume anything about the skill of their pseudo-beginners, and that the reasons for the lesson being taught were always explained. The fine weather helped, as did the friendly environment at Cheltenham, and the always efficient and satisfying catering for coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. The classroom activities went well too, with Michael, using all the skills he is passing onto his students, maintaining interest, and ensuring all participated equally regardless of previous playing and coaching experience.

This was the second Coach Qualification Course held this year, and the material is now well bedded-in, including a three-hour briefing and rehearsal to ensure all Directing Staff understand what is expected from them, and how the timings work.

The CA Coaching Committee plans to ensure these courses can be held for all aspiring coaches in other parts of the country next year, and therefore add the course to the annual CA programme to improve playing and coaching standards throughout the domain.

The CA appreciates all the effort put into this initiative by Michael Hague, who has developed the course using his own material, together with some originally used by Don Williamson, and some prepared by Don Gaunt, and produced a lively, entertaining and thought-provoking course appreciated by all who attended. The structure of the lessons themselves is taken from the CA Coaching Manual and A Guide to Golf Croquet, also published by the CA. Thanks are due also to David Magee and Bob Whitaker, who led the practical work, and directed the role-playing exercises and syndicate work.

The course would not have the success it was without the catering and other support from the Cheltenham Club, and the sponsorship of the South West Federation. Books were available at a discounted price courtesy of the CA Commercial Agent.

Appointments

The following have been awarded a certificate and the Yellow CA Club Coach badge:

The Directing Staff: David Magee (Cheltenham), Bob Whitaker (Bath).

The students: Derek Beard (Taunton Deane), Eric Bevan (Kington Langley), Penny Crowe (Cheltenham), Deirdre Duggan (Bristol), John Green (Stourbridge), Jolyon Kay (Blewbury), Ian Lewis (Bath, Lansdown), Daniel Mills (Bath, Bristol), John Munro (Blewbury), Dennis O'Brien (Watford Cassiobury), Brian Toomey (Taunton Deane), Bernard Wilson (Bristol, Nailsea), Ian Wilson (Cornwall, Plymouth, Nailsea), John de Winton (Taunton Deane).

The CA hopes and expects that, after attending this course, and coaching in their own clubs, keen coaches will be recommended for further qualifications, as Grade I (beginners / improvers, to Bronze level), Grade II (to Silver and Introduction to Advanced Play level), or Grade III (Gold level). John Munro received his Golf Croquet Coach qualification at the course held at Surbiton in March. Others heavily involved with teaching Golf Croquet may wish to apply for the Golf Croquet Coach's badge in due course.