Courses

Bridging Module
How Can Existing Coaches Get Involved in the United Kingdom Coaching Certificate Experience?
From the beginning it has been agreed that Scottish Squash, and indeed the other Home Nations, need to continue to recognise coaches who hold qualifications out-with the United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) and look to involve them, as easily as possible, within the new UKCC system. Therefore, a group has been set up nationally to look at how Level 1-4 previous qualifications, ‘map across’ to the new UKCC system.
In Scotland we are unique in that we have run an updated Level 1 qualification for the past 5-6 seasons, before this one, which incorporated a number of the ‘How to coach’ skills that are present in the new UKCC Level 1. However it didn't cover Mini Squash and there were no assessments made to determine a coach’s competencies at the end of the course. The new UKCC Level 1 requires each candidate to pass a small number of assessment areas including written questions on Health & Safety, Child Protection and Mini Squash as well as undertake an Independent Coaching Assessment.
Therefore, a new UKCC Level 1 Bridging Module has been pulled together to allow coaches to transfer directly from current Level 1 qualifications to the new UKCC Level 1. Coaches shall be required to attend a one day session which covers ‘Unsquashable Mini Squash’ (Junior Development Programme incorporating foundation skills for all squash shots) as well as complete the assessment procedures as indicated above. Once they have successfully completed this, and can produce evidence of attending a sports coach UK Safeguarding & Protecting Children workshop, they shall be registered with the Scottish Qualifications Authority to gain their UKCC Level 1 Certificate.
(Please note that coaches looking to undertake the new UKCC Level 2 shall have to have completed a UKCC Level 1 or a UKCC Level 1 Bridging Module!)

The details of the UKCC Level 1 Bridging Module courses are listed below and you must have attended a non UKCC Level 1 Squash Course to be eligible:

Course 1
Date: Wednesday 12th & 19th March 2008 Times: 6.30pm—9.30pm (both dates)
Venue: East Region
Cost: £110* Exclusive to Scottish Squash Competitive Player Members

Course 2
Date: Saturday 15th March 2008 Times: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Venue: Butchart Recreation Centre, Aberdeen University
Cost: £110* Exclusive to Scottish Squash Competitive Player Members
*Special Scholarship Rate for Competitive Player Members of Scottish Squash = £30*

Places are limited and shall be allocated on a first come, first served basis on receipt of a completed UKCC application form, Scholarship Form (if applicable) and correct payment.
Finally, it must be noted that coaches who currently hold a non UKCC Level 1 qualification are welcome to undertake the full UKCC Level 1 Course too and a number of coaches who have done this have found it to be a very worthwhile experience.

In association with Tennis Scotland a 2 day racquet stringing course is being held at David Lloyd in Glasgow on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th October 2007; the course will be run by Liam Nolan who is the Technical Director of UK Racket Stringers Association (UKRSA). The comprehensive two-day Club Stringer course provides the basic skills, knowledge and confidence to run a successful racket servicing business and is certified by the UKRSA. The 2 day workshop is discounted costing only £125 and application forms can be downloaded from the UKRSA website using this link - UK Racquet Stringers Association

Grampian Level 2 Coaching Course
Here is a Photograph of the 13 candidates attending the Level 2 Club Coaching Course, which is being held at Stonehaven. The first week took place 22nd / 23rd January and the follow up weekend will take place on 12th / 13th March, when the coaches will be assessed. In between times there is much work to be completed by each of the candidates in the form of reading, exercises and on court application.

Grampian Squash would like to thank "Awards for All" for providing the full funding of the course, “English Squash” for providing the Course, the course Tutor Robert Harvey for his input and the County Hotel for providing the venue and services. We wish all the candidates the very best of luck.

Pictured Back Row (Left to Right): Peter Vaughan – Academy Assistant Coach, Alan Slinger – Stonehaven, Nigel Shuttleworth – Stonehaven, Alistair Gorrie – ASRC, Gavin Sutherland – ASRC, Liz Robertson – David Lloyd Glasgow, Laura Towler – Stonehaven, Claire Kidd – Peter Nicol Centre.
Front Row (Left to Right): Ian Brown – ASRC, Neil Strachan – ASRC, Danny Molyneux – Peter Nicol Centre, Gerry Towler – Grampian Squash, Trish West – Ellon & Richard Towler – Stonehaven.