Coach Upgrade Strategy - Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the existing awards being updated?
The existing awards are rather old and dated, whilst the world of Badminton has moved on considerably. Much work has been done over a long period to update all awards and all of the home countries are committed to teaching the same modern methods.
Welsh Badminton wants to have a well educated population of coaches and this will only happen if we embrace accepted best practice.
What are UKCC awards?
Badminton has been an Olympic sport for some time.
Some years ago the Government decreed that the UK needed to have common coaching awards instead of each having its own. To achieve this the home countries were tasked to form a UKCC Source group. This group has worked together for several years to produce a new series of awards which reflect current best practice in coaching.
These have all been produced, in conjunction and consultation with Sportscoach UK and the UKCC awarding body, 1st4sport.
Each award is quality assured in that candidates are assessed by Independent Assessors at the end of their course before achieving qualified status.
Extensive information about UKCC can be found on the UKCC Coaching Certificate pages.
I have a leaders award, what’s next for me?
Welsh Badminton recommends that you upgrade to the new UKCC level 1 award (see the Coaching page for information and timescales).
I have an Intermediate Award, what’s next for me?
Welsh Badminton recommends that you upgrade to the new UKCC Level 2 award, but before you do this you will need to go through the Welsh Badminton UKCC L1 orientation exercise.
This is a fairly straightforward exercise which involves receiving and studying the UKCC L1 manual and then completing an independently assessed 40 question written task.
This will give Welsh Badminton confidence that you have grasped the principles behind UKCC.
What are the cost of the new awards and the orientation process?
You can find details of costs for the awards on the UKCC Coaching Certificate pages.
The cost of the orientation exercise is £25.
What are the timescales?
Check out our upgrade strategy on the Coaching page.
Where can I find a UKCC course?
Details of Welsh Badminton courses are posted on our website well in advance.
UKCC courses are also delivered by Badminton England and Badminton Scotland.
All you have to do is check the coaching sections of the various websites.
Will Welsh Badminton have lists of qualified UKCC coaches?
Welsh Badminton has a database at the moment which holds information about all of our registered coaches.
We will look to publish names of UKCC qualified coaches in the future if the coaches are happy for this to happen.
This will give better transparency to those looking to employ a coach for themselves, their children or club.
Remember that the Coaches Register should in reality be for players and parents who are looking for a suitably qualified and approved coach as well as for coaches.
In time the United Kingdom Coaching Framework (UKCF) will initiate a Coaches Licence scheme which will only be available to holders of UKCC awards.
Is Welsh Badminton worried that coaching numbers will drop as a result of the new awards?
Welsh Badminton along with its GB partners has a view that top quality and best practice is the main aim in Coach Education, so although some coaches may choose not to join the UKCC team, those who do choose to take the upgrade route will be better educated in Badminton coaching and up to date, especially if they embrace our CPD programme.
If I decide not to update can I still coach?
That of course will be an individual choice, but after the upgrade periods have passed only those who have chosen to upgrade or have taken the orientation route will be able to join the Welsh Badminton coaches register, be insured and be able to enjoy the benefits of being part of a National Governing Body.
All of the home countries are united in the view that the positives of upgrading vastly outweigh the negatives.