FA Coach Mentoring Programme

Club Application

2016/17

Overview

The FA has employed Coach Mentors to support the development of grassroots clubs and their coaches. In partnership with Devon FAthe 2016/17 season will be the third season of the programme in full and provides the opportunity for your club’s coaches to receive mentoring to support their development. This document will outline: 1) The purpose of the programme; 2) The benefit of the programme to clubs; 3) The benefit of the programme to coaches; and 4) The expectations of the club’s and coaches receiving support. Following this the application process will be explained.

The purpose of the programme is to support grassroots clubs to:

  1. Improve coaching in grassroots football.
  2. Up-skill and support coaches to develop knowledge, confidence, and delivery skills.
  3. To bring the England DNA to life in grassroots clubs.
  4. To improve match day behaviours of all stakeholders.
  5. To retain coaches in the game.
  6. To retain players in the game.
  7. To support individual coach learning.
  8. To cascade the network of mentors and leave a ‘legacy’.

The benefits of the programme to clubs:

  • 50 hours mentoring.
  • Support with action planning.
  • Whole club workshops – practical and/or theory.
  • Support to develop a Philosophy/consistent approach, and an identity for your club.
  • Observation, feedback, and support of match-days and training sessions.
  • Whole club feedback.
  • Support for developing a sustainable programme.

The benefits of the programme to coaches:

  • Observation and support of sessions.
  • Training and match-day support and feedback.
  • Individual action plans – learning programmes.
  • Support for developing players across the ‘four corners’.
  • Support for structuring sessions to meet the needs/expectations of different players.
  • Support for integrating coach education content.
  • Re-validation of qualifications.

Expectations of the club and its coaches:

  • Nominate at least one key contact who will work with the Coach Mentor to develop the programme at the club.
  • Ensure all coaches are members of the FA Licensed Coaches Club.
  • Where coaches aren’t yet members of the FA Licensed Coaches Club, be prepared to support the Coach Mentor and coach towards membership.
  • Be receptive to new ideas/methodologies.
  • Commit to keeping a reflective diary of session delivery.
  • Attend at least one County FA CPD event relevant to the needs of the coach, and appropriate to the age group he/she coaches.
  • Identify and appoint at least one candidate to attend FA Mentoring Adults Course and become lead mentor within the club to ensure a sustainable ‘legacy’ programme is in place once the Coach Mentor’s initial support concludes.

Programme Application

Any club completing this application is applying to be considered for receiving support from an FA Coach Mentor for the season 2016/17. The deadline for completing this application and returning it to s Friday 13th May.

If successful, all clubs are then asked to identify 4 coaches who will receive 1 to 1 support from the FA Coach Mentor. These coaches must be committed to the programme and must want the support. No club should enforce the mentoring programme on its coaches. Once the 4 coaches have been identified, they (all 4) along with a maximum of 2 club representatives must attend the Club and Mentor introduction evening on Tuesday 31st May atDevonFA. At least one of the 4 coaches will become the ‘Legacy Mentor’ who will lead in sustaining mentoring support at the club after the initial 50 hours support from an FA Coach Mentor. Failure to attend this evening will result in the club being withdrawn from the process. The purpose of this evening is for all club key representatives and coaches to meet with the FA Coach Mentor and begin the planning process for the club.

Club Name:

Key Club Representatives:

Name / Position at Club

Coaches to receive 1 to 1 support:

Name / Position at Club

Why do your club want an FA Coach Mentor?

How will having an FA Coach Mentor benefit your club?

What type of support do you envisage an FA Coach Mentor providing?

What will you do to maximise the benefits of having an FA Coach Mentor?

How will you ensure a legacy programme is implemented at the club after the initial 50 hours support from an FA Coach Mentor?

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FA Coach Mentor Programme