New Zealand Pony Club Ass. (NZPCA) Coaches meet up in Nelson

New ZealandPony Club Ass. (NZPCA)  Coaches meet up in Nelson
 
With funding from NZPCA for a coaches administration evening which was held at the softball and hockey Pavilion, Saxton Fields on 29^th March.
Coaches from Golden Bay, Foxhill Richmond and Motueka attended.
 
The evening was particularly focused on coaches currently teaching in pony clubs in the region and we kicked off with a fun buzz group activity to identify all those that come to pony club children, ponies, parents coaches, helpers – what where their individual needs and what can be done to make all feel valued.
 
Clark Avery - our Marlborough, Nelson West Coast area president was the guest speaker.
Explaining clearly to us the wide range of competition our riders become part in depending on their skill level, age and chosen activity. A chart showing how this all worked was very well received giving us a clear picture of what we can help our riders achieve.
 
By this time the coaches were ‘abuzz’ and talking hard but there was some work to be done.
The coaches where asked to think of a topic they often teach at pony club and then make a different plan using a more creative approach and maybe they needed to go back to the NZPCA manuals to check if the information was current, correct and to talk to others as to what they did in the same situation. It is hoped that this gave the coaches something to take home and use at the next rally.
 
The new NZPCA coaches job description was a main topic discussed, with the new implications of coaches having to update every 5 years if they hold qualifications ( evidence of valid qualification if not the Evalan NZPCA coaches training program ) and every 2 years if not. The question being-Was the NZPCA board going to allow more funding to each area to enable the coaches to update? Was the money going to have to be found from each club or area? Clark pointed out that there club Waimea fund rise to finance payment of coaches.

Another suggestion was that maybe the coaches that do receive payment might like to consider doing some sort of ‘fundraising event’ for the riders with a small fee to go towards the coaching fund. Here is a possibility that clubs could fund a coach to achieve a equestrian coaches qualification is return for unpaid coaches or if they want to attend an updateing course.

In conclusion -The benefits of the meeting where shared, a chance to meet and talk face to face where often we are to busy to this after a rally etc.. Emails text and phone calls are good but not as effective as open shared discussion and ideas. Sally Austin Pearcy a new coach in our area just returned form some years in the UK was welcomed. Sally is qualified as a side saddle coach.   
List those attending here
 
Sally Austin- Pearcy
Kris Russell
Kirsten Crabtree
Carolyn West
Dee Needham
Clark Avery
Amber Warren
Anne Baker
Jeanette Garrett