UK Coaching is working with its partners Sport England and CIMSPA, regarding a phased return to sport and physical activity in England from today (14 May).
As you will see from a recent Government announcement, some one-to-one coaching activity will now be able to take place outdoors in England. We recommend that all coaches who may wish to undertake outdoor coaching fully read, understand and adhere to the latest Government advice, as well as read CIMSPA’s update on Government guidance on outdoor training in England, and refer to guidance from their own governing bodies of sport if appropriate.
Coaches in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales should refer to specific advice from their devolved governments or their respective Home Country Sports Councils.
UK Coaching is working hard to provide coaches with guidance and advice to deliver great coaching sessions and look after themselves.
Some of the key points coaches in England should consider before resuming coaching are as follows:
- The coaching activity takes place in a wide-open space, outdoors.
- The coaching activity is one-to-one, ie between one coach and one participant.
- A coach can meet with multiple individuals per day, provided all sessions are one-to-one, take place in an outside space and social distancing is observed.
- The coach and their participant remain two metres (six feet) away from each other (and others in the vicinity) at all times.
- You are at higher risk of being directly exposed to respiratory droplets released by someone talking or coughing when you are within 2 metres of someone and have face-to-face contact with them. You can lower the risk of infection if you stay side-to-side rather than facing people.
- There is no physical contact between the coach and the participant, eg handshakes, ‘high-fives’, etc.
- Good hand hygiene is observed, ie hands are washed before and after the coaching activity; and hand sanitiser gel is used at intervals during the coaching activity.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Wash your kit and sanitise your equipment regularly.
If a coach or their participant show symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), eg a new continuous cough or a high temperature, they and their household should isolate at home and cancel any scheduled coaching activity.
UK Coaching’s CEO Mark Gannon, said:
Throughout this crisis, we have been extremely proud of what our great coaches are doing to support their community. We have seen innovation, resilience and flexibility and it’s really welcome that the Government is recognising the huge importance of high quality sport and physical activity more than ever before.
“We know how vital great coaching is, which is why it is such great news that some coaches in England will be able to start to return to work in a careful and phased way.
“Of course, we urge all coaches in England to continue to follow official guidance on this and always check with your relevant governing body of sport if you’re unsure. To help, we will continue to provide coaches with resources to help them decide the safest and most responsible way to get back to doing what they love.”
As the lead agency for coaching in the UK, we are committed to doing everything we can to support coaches.
Here’s a reminder of how we’re responding to the needs of coaches at this difficult time; through:
- our learning and development platform, ukcoaching.org, where we’ve unlocked some of our best subscriber resources for all coaches to access for free.
- hosting the ‘Curious Coaches’ Club’; our free weekly webinars for coaches to receive expert advice, conversation and tuition on relevant coaching topics.
- our ‘Keeping the Household Active’ infographic campaign, which provides coaches, parents and individuals with ideas for creating fun and engaging activities that will keep households motivated and moving.
- our free Time2Learn webinars, which have been geared up towards helping coaches deliver great coaching online and prioritising their mental health and well-being.
- our free online community ConnectedCoaches, where coaches can get friendly support and advice, as well as connect with coaches from all sports and activities.
- working with support partners, Blacks solicitors and EY, to give coaches legal and financial advice during this time.
- continuing to share excellent coaching content across our social channels – from coaching videos on tai chi techniques to interviews with Judy Murray.
Further information to support coaches at this time will be released shortly.