A new sport coaching course is helping Team GB’s Olympic coaches prepare for Rio 2016, by teaching them to apply the latest research giving them hands-on experience of the latest technology.

The second session of a education course specifically tailored for high performance judo coaches and linked to gaining a UKCC Level 4, at Sheffield Hallam University, started today (20 May) after a successful first block in mid-January.

The course is being run over two years initially as a Post Graduate Diploma, with the option of staying on to do a third year to complete the full Masters in Advanced Sports Coaching Practice.

The main emphasis is on developing high performance coaches of the future. It has been specifically designed for those coaches who want to develop their underpinning knowledge, skills and competences to take their sport and coaching to the next level.

Some of those who have signed up to the course, include former Chairman of JudoScotland Jim Feenan and Olympic silver medallist Kate Howey, MBE.

Testament to the quality of the course, Toni Minichiello, famous for coaching Olympic gold heptathelete Jess Ennis-Hill, is also studying with them, lending an extra dynamic to the field.

Toni Minichiello said “Coaching is all about learning and being able to apply it to your sport.

“Most of my learning has been through coaching courses, and what I’ve read or picked up along the way.

“Once you qualify as a coach you’re pretty much left to your own devices.

“The masters at Sheffield Hallam gives me an opportunity for structured continued learning, an opportunity to match experience with the academic and scientific to improve my coaching, and to gain a recognised qualification that adds credibility and objectivity to my experiential learning.

“The added advantage of working alongside the nation’s best judo coaches for me just adds to the learning experience. An opportunity to learn from other sports in a formal environment and gain the benefit of their experience also adds massive value to the whole learning process, that would be difficult to find anywhere else.

“The timing and structure of the timetable means I can easily mix my full-time coaching and continued development in the build up to all the forthcoming championships.”

The two year course consists of modules on psychology for performance coaching, bio-mechanics and performance analysis, applied sport science and advanced professional practice these are delivered across several days at a time, three times per year, with additional conferences and mentoring support available.

As this is an applied course developed specifically for practicing coaches the rest of the study is independent and involves developing case studies and evidenced of advanced coaching practice back in your own coaching environments. Running alongside the academic qualification coaches will have the opportunity to develop and evidence their competencies as a UKCC Level 4 coach.

This means coaches that coaches who successfully graduate the course will receive a PG Diploma or full Masters and a UKCC Level 4 qualification.

The course was developed by British Judo in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University and sports coach UK.

It is run by the university staff lecturers with key input from the judo community.

Michelle Vernon-Way, senior lecturer in sport coaching at Sheffield Hallam, is course leader for the new MSc. She said: “This course is an excellent example of a university working with a professional body to make British sport the best it can be.

“We’re using the latest technology, research and academic theory to make sure that all of the professional coaches on this course are equipped to deliver the next generation of British athletes on the world stage.

“But we’re also working closely with British Judo to make sure that we have a clear understanding of the issues facing coaches, and we’re getting a great insight into their professional practices and needs.

“We’re giving them the skills and knowledge to design, deliver and evaluate specialist coaching programmes, make critical decisions in a highly complex environment and be outstanding, visionary and knowledgeable coaches in their field.”

British Judo is on a journey towards educational improvement, one that began with the opening of the Centre of Excellence in Walsall and also the new higher education course in Sheffield in 2013.

This course was developed in partnership with Sheffield Hallam, SportscoachUK with input from British Judo.

The project was led by Joyce Heron, Education and Training Manager for British Judo, who also spearheads the UKCC level 4. Heron, a former world medallist and Olympian is also a student on the course.

She said: “Following on from the successful introduction of UKCC Level 3″

Coaching Performance Judo’ two years ago, UKCC Level 4/PGD Advanced Sport Coaching Practice is an exciting step forward for coaching within British Judo.

“It provides our coaches with a unique opportunity to work with Sheffield Hallam University and their expert sports science teams in order to impact on current and future elite judo players. “Both Sheffield Hallam University and sports coach UK have been an invaluable support to us in making this happen and I would like to thank them personally and on behalf of British Judo.”

Kate Howey, Olympic silver medallist, said: “As a coach you are always looking to learn and in doing this I am investing in my education within the coaching spectrum. It is also open to do a masters at the end of the two years.

“The UKCC Level 4 that runs alongside this, is a great coaching qualification and I hope that what I learn can help me to become an even better coach and to inspire the next generation of coaches.”

Ealing Judo Club coach Jo Crowley added: “I very much enjoyed the first taught block of the Masters at Sheffield Hallam University. “It was great to be back in an educational environment, with high-level discussion and debate, access to expert coaching practitioners and researchers and with a group of peers who largely have shared goals.

“I am really looking forward to the challenges the course will undoubtedly supply.

“We are required to attend taught lectures for several days at a time, three times per year, with additional conferences and mentoring available. The rest of the study is independent and as such will require us all to be quite disciplined.”

Jim Feenan, former chair of Judo Scotland, said:

“It is really great that British Judo is embracing this as it is really important that our coaches continue to strive towards academic excellence.

“I am delighted to be a part of the course and there is an interesting mix of people on the course, with the British Judo performance staff and individual coaches wanting to improve themselves and even people from outside the sport. “This is part of a long journey to provide the next generation of judo coaches.

It is great to mix the course alongside the UKCC Level 4 so that the next generation are equipped with the skills they need as our sport moves forward.” The first session took place between 13-15 January and the second one between 20 and 21 May.

Words by Donna Richardson.