Equestrian Coaches in the ‘Top of the South Island (New Zealand ) start to network

EDITED DRAFT  from Jeanette Garrett
Edited 24/9/2011 Sharon Brinsdon
Revised 26/9/2011 Jeanette Garrett
Revised 18/10/2011 NZRDA/Jeanette Garrett
Revised 24/10/2011Kirsten Crabtree
Approved Claire Dallinson and Julie Price Sport Tasman 26/10/2011
Approved Bruce Blair High Performance Coaching Consultant
                                                          
Top of the South Coaches Equestrian Network Strategic Plan -  The Way Forward  -
 

1. Introduction

The project is to set up an equestrian coaches’ network in the Top of the South Island. It is hoped that this will provide a blue print for other areas in New Zealand to follow.
Equestrian coaches come into coaching for a wide range of reasons, and with a wide range of experience and knowledge. They also come from varied backgrounds. Some have gained experience in an equestrian family, or from having horses of their own since childhood. Others are relatively new to horses, drawn in by their own interest, or by children who are keen to own and ride horses. For some, coaching is their livelihood, for others it is a voluntary role in an already- busy life.
This project has the commitment and intention of catering for this wide spectrum. It seeks to create an environment where our coaches feel supported and gain the skills and knowledge they need to coach well.
The over-riding goal of this project is Increased safety. Safe and effective Coaching
Equestrian sports are high risk  – coaches need to be well equipped to coach effectively, i.e. to be able to challenge the riders they coach while all the time ensuring  their safety.
Currently there is no regulation within the equine industry for equestrian coaches – anyone can coach. This creates additional and to some extent avoidable risk in an already-high-risk sport.
NZ Pony Club Association however, now have requirements that every  Pony Club coach must update every 2 years if they have no coaching qualification, and every 5 years if they have some qualifications. Each update requires a 10 hour course. NZ Riding for the Disabled (NZRDA) has a Registration and competency points based programme requiring a minimum of ‘100 points’ of appropriate training and coaching to remain a ‘current’ coach. Equestrian Sport NZ require a registered and qualified coach to submit evidence of courses and current first aid certification to remain registered.
Many coaches, possibly even the majority of coaches, do not come under the umbrella of any of these organisations. Pony Club and RDA are both charitable organisations with limited funding for coach development. Accordingly this project aims to pool resources in order to benefit all equestrian coaches.
This project is driven by Jeanette Garrett, a fully-qualified  British Horse Society and NZ Equestrian Performance Coach, Coach Educator and Sports Mentor, who  holds an advanced diploma in adult education. She is supported by two world experts in coach development (more information supplied on request).
This project welcomes comment and help from any appropriate person, company, or funding organisation. Expertise offered will help to develop our strategic plan.
We believe this strategy will allow us to maintain a successful development programme for all equestrian coaches in our region – ‘Top of the South Island’ so that they can provide top quality coaching for our riders and their horses with safety and wellbeing in mind . This document aims to illustrate the goals and objectives of the group to be formed, and how we intend to achieve them.
1. Mission: Safe, effective and up-to-date coaching skills for all Equestrian coaches.
2. Our Vision: “ an environment in the top of the South Island where equestrian coaches can network and enjoy working together to upskill and learn, where they  benefit from mentoring of each, other by experts within New Zealand and overseas.”
3.   Objectives:

1. To promote quality modern coaching techniques for our riders and horses, giving them autonomy and ownership of their training and achievements
2. To promote qualified and registered coaches and to promote them to the appropriate ‘target market’.
3. To keep all coaches up to date with modern trends and changes in coaching.
4. A commitment to provide innovative and fun ways to learn about the ‘HOW TO’ of coaching.
5. To seek funding on the groups behalf to enable meetings and training cost.

4.   Values:

• Inclusion - To include all coaches from all equestrian codes of equestrian sport and leisure riding – volunteers, new entry, in training, qualified and registered.
• ‘Rider- centered’ coaching – To promote this approach, respecting today’s technology and all it can provide for equestrians and looking forward for innovative and creativity in the future
• Positive Outcomes - To enable coaches to create a ‘win win’ learning environment for riders and their horses
• Positive Relationships - To communicate openness and honesty, treating people fairly with a sense of feeling valued
• Innovation To recognize and encourage new ideas and commit to improving our own coaching performance.
• Recognition - To celebrate achievements of our coaches

5. Our Strategic Goals:

Looking forward – the first three years

• A generic equestrian sports seminar to be designed in conjunction with the local regional Sports Tasman. The idea is to make this available free to all coaches once funding is secured. This in now work in progress

• Build relationships with companies and funding bodies – understand their process and procedures for funding/sponsorship. Involvement with ACC seems a natural partner in our mutual goals of increased safety. Seek funding to enable 2 meetings each year for coaches in 3 areas:

1) Greymouth & West Coast
2) Nelson /Golden Bay
3) Blenheim and Kaikoura

• Promote trained coaches to appropriate ‘target markets’ – awareness to parents of pony riders, adults new to horses, those returning to the sport, and leisure riders in general. Promote trained coaches to those competing at local and advanced levels.
• Gain recognition with Equestrian Sport NZ, NZ Pony Club Ass. as a group furthering the development of equestrian coaches.
• Introduce and offer a mentoring system to all coaches.
• The Equestrian adapted Sport Tasman’s ‘Effective Coaching Course’ available to all equestrian coaches in The Top of the South Island at low cost /free. This course recognized by the various bodies as a constructive form of updating and training.
• To introduce and environment to form a ‘Buddy’ system/mentoring for coaches of all levels.
• Use the Equine Positive Learning database and the ‘Coaches’ Comment’ newsletter to reach coaches in the top of the South Island
• Funding resource for regular communication.
• Funding resource for training for all coaches – NZ Pony Club Ass., NZ Riding for the Disabled, Volunteer coaches and others coaching in our region. e.g this aligns to the funding objective

6.  History
Overview
In the past it was not possible to train to be an equestrian coach in New Zealand. Only a few undertook the huge step of training in Europe. Those who did had to stay for many months to achieve a qualification, often having to return for updating and further qualifications.
In more recent times The New Zealand Pony Club Association developed it’s own ‘in house’ coaches training courses for those coaching riders up to 21 years. The NZ Qualifications Authority also now has equestrian coaching qualifications for Riding for the Disabled and our Olympic codes: show jumping, eventing, and dressage. While these qualifications are industry- based, New Zealand’s industry is so small, they are aimed at a very limited market.
Even more recently Equestrian Sport NZ has created equestrian sports coach qualifications at introductory, development, performance and elite levels. These are a better ‘fit’ for New Zealand riders who mostly ride for leisure and competition on their own horses. This coach training system is supported by coach educators and mentors.
Top of the South Island history
The wide rural nature of our region means a number of pony clubs and Riding for the Disabled centers have been established, often in isolation. This is where most of our young riders can receive some instruction.
However, many coaches with no training also offer instruction in our region. Some are voluntary, but most are fee-earning, as previously  mentioned. There is no regulation of  this situation by government or any of the various sports codes. There is a high risk of dangerous practice and accident in this situation.
Three meetings have been held for coaches in the region to discuss the formation of an equestrian network where coaches could easily access affordable training and mentoring in a positive environment. Open to all coaches from all sports codes and for the equestrian coach at introductory to elite levels.
Sports Tasman has offered support in the form of course material and a venue for training. The project has the support of two international sportscoach experts, who look upon this as a possible prototype for other areas in New Zealand.