Coaching Pathway
Badminton Wales through its partnership with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has developed a Coach Education Pathway suitable for grassroots coaches through to performance coaches. If you have any questions about our Coach Education Pathway, please contact us.
Stage 1 – Shuttle Time Teachers
Suitable for anybody just starting out on their coaching journey, BWF Shuttle Time is suited for anybody involved in coaching and provides a backbone for all later coach education. If you are involved in coaching in any way – but especially within clubs and schools – this is the course for you. If you are interested in becoming a Shuttle Time teacher, check out our available courses. Booking for a team? Contact us and we could bring the entire course to your school, college, university, physical education course, etc. You can also find out more about the Shuttle Time programme from BWF here, and download their free app and resources.
Stage 1 – Club Coaching
Community Coaching Course (similar course UKCC1)
The Community Coaching course is designed on the Shuttle Time Content plus other aspects of starting and running a club. This is tailored for someone with a little more experience of badminton and is looking at beginning their coaching journey.
Club Secretaries (or the individual themselves) can register on the Sport 80 app on completion of the Community Coaching award and appropriate record keeping can be in place.
All Community Coaches, working on a voluntary basis within the Affiliated Club environment are covered by BW insurance.
Stage 2 – BWF Coach Education
ALL NEW APPLICANTS MUST ATTEND AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE COURSE LEVEL BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
Currently there is NO EQUIVALENCE between UKCC and BWF.
Badminton Wales works closely with the Badminton World Federation to deliver our coach education levels. These are:
- BWF Level 1. This is a similar level to the UKCC Level 2 and appropriate for those with previous coaching experience. Individuals with existing alternative Badminton Qualifications (UKCC L1/2 or equivalent, within the last 5 years from the date of course commencement) may enter the Badminton Wales Coach Education Pathway at the BWF Level 1. Badminton Wales strongly recommends attending the BWF Shuttle Time course regardless.
- BWF Level 2. Advanced coached education for those individuals who seek Pathway development coaching for Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
- BWF Level 3. This is not currently available in Wales.
About BWF Coach Education
Badminton Wales are committed to the ongoing development of our coaching network across Wales. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) Coach Education program enables Badminton Wales and its coaches the opportunity to develop from a foundation/grassroots coach through to Elite Performance.
Further information about the BWF Coach Education Programme can be found here. The BWF also provides free coaching resources, such as coaching manuals and educational videos. These can be accessed here.
If you have any queries regarding coaching or courses, please contact us here.
The Coaching Collective
Some time ago, Adrian in Menai Bridge used a phrase “The Coaching Collective” and he highlighted the need for a community of coaches. We all do the same thing, we give our time to try and help players enjoy themselves more, and just get better. We may see different things, have different ambitions, experience things differently; we will definitely have different opinions, but it is all directed towards the improvement of our sport. However, coaches are frequently left isolated with little chance for development, even to ask a question. This leads to de-motivation and drop out causing a resulting downturn in playing levels, but equally causing a disengagement with (esp) junior players, so the total numbers of players decline. The importance of a coach cannot be overstated.
Why don’t we help each other?
Badminton in Wales needs more coaches doing better coaching, more frequently, in every corner of Wales. This will grow the numbers and quality of players at every level. It will provide opportunities for any person to play our wonderful sport.