Newsletter for equestrain coaches

Equestrian Coaches – what do we want financially from our coaching?   Who pays for our training?
 
I meet many coaches in my work throughout New Zealand but would like to get more feedback from coaches -  particularly those in the ‘top of the south’ island of NZ. Although I am sure it would be appropriate to other coaches here and overseas.
 
Currently there appears to be a move towards the ‘legitimacy’ to coach a sport. ACC focus on sport injury compensation etc. and  industry / sports coach compliance to coach.
 
What’s in for me, an equestrian coach, financially? This article is directed at those that charge a fee for their coaching skills. If we put the many other aspects of what we get from coaching, horse and rider aside for a moment, and focus on payment for coaching – controversial I know but worth chewing over!!! How does this fit with what we put in to developing our skills?
 
Whether we run an equestrian establishment or freelance teach as our main income or just have a few local clients to help fund our own horse activities, what “qualifies” you to coach and charge a fee? We have a very open market here in New Zealand where anyone can coach anyone in anything, just place an advert in the local paper to attract clients and away you go.

Lets imagine this scenario and see how it would impact on fee earning equestrian coaches – Imagine that “the powers that be”  stated that all equestrian coaches need to be qualified and/or updated regularly to be able to charge for coaching.  What would your reaction be to that? I would love to hear from you, in confidence, either call or email me .
 
I imagine unless you tell me differently that some would say ‘well if I have to do that I just will not coach any more or  ‘why do I want to spend time doing courses and getting qualified I have been coaching for years nothing wrong with my coaching’ or ‘I just do not have the time or money to update or do more training’ . Surely a % of the income you get from coaching should be put aside for updating/skilling yourself. If you have different issues talk to me in confidence please tell me what they are.
 
Looking at those aspects/opinions more closely this reflects 2 things
1)    Although coaches are happy to take money from people for coaching they have no intention of learning more to become better at what they do and are not interested in the changes that are happening within coaching
2)    No time or money sounds like a good reason in our present busy life styles but I feel it is an excuse to ‘sit behind’.
 How can we remove these barriers to make it easy and comfortable as possible for a coach to become involved with their self development?
 Waiting for courses to be arranged for us close to where we live and on the day that suits us that we are paid to attend may sound ideal – so just dream on!!!!! It is going to have to be a self help team effort to get around, through and over the barriers we have in our mind and in practical terms.
 In my opinion low cost is a must  cost free even better. Would that make it more attractive to a coach or make it look not worth doing as it is only free stuff and therefore not valued? I also think we need to create a group environment that is non threatening and that updating and learning is to be looked forward to rather than a course that has to be survived (like the first aid courses we do – grin) to stay current.
If coaches feel the environment for getting together and sharing knowledge in a non threatening environment is attractive would you all make the effort and support it? Lots of questions in this article which I would love your feedback on.
Unless we can fully understand what the issues are we can not make sound plans to move forward.
 “Equine Positive Learning is happy to support an equestrian coaches group and to seek funding on it’s behalf. We need to be a group to have a voice to be listened to by sports organizations and business groups for funding applications. Disjointed and isolated very little can be done.”
 Those of you that have attended the 3 equestrian group meetings held in Golden Bay, Stoke and Richmond will know that during discussion it was thought that a meeting twice a year  - once in the winter for an indoor get together with a speaker and another on a summer evening to work with horses and riders would be appropriate. This initially could be done amongst ourselves if we were to take it in turns to lead the meeting, or give a short session to open up discussion and thought sharing could be a good first step. Making our own fun, learning environment and networking with others seems the common sense way to go. These sessions would definitely be open to any coach – equestrian or from other codes volunteer or fee earning.
 Equine Positive Learning can not get started with coaches that sit in apathy with no inclination to become part of anything – point made – sermon over –grin
 So.. come on equestrian coaches in the top of the south island lets be hearing from you.
Here are just a few more things you may like to give me feedback on .  Have a look a the statements below and tell me what you think!
MEETING FOR COACES
Volunteer coaches meetings should be free.                                       
If no please tell me why
Fee earning coaches meetings should be free.                                   
If yes please tell me why
 
COURSES
Volunteer coaches courses should be free.                                          
If yes who do you think should be paying for them?
 
Fee earning coaches courses should be free.                                     
If Yes please say why and who you think should be paying for them?
 
Volunteer coaching courses should have a small course fee.           
 
Fee earning coaches courses should pay more than volunteers.    
 
All courses should be free for everyone.                                            
If yes who do you think should pay for them? Give ideas as to who could be approached for funding.
 I look forward to hearing from you.  Click here to e-mail.
Go well
 Regards
 Jeanette Garrett to act as sport mentor - Nelson Mail