SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Advanced Certificate in Coaching Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
104536	Advanced Certificate in Coaching Science
ORIGINATOR
Exercise Teachers Academy PTY Limited
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Advanced Certificate	Field 02 - Culture and Arts		Sport
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 06	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2018-09-12	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with knowledge and skills needed to specialise in professional practice as a coach or senior coach at high school or club level. This qualification ensures that knowledge-building scaffolds on existing exercise science and coaching-based knowledge by ensuring relevant theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for specialisation as a coach. A qualifying learner who has achieved the assessment criteria of this qualification will be able to:

Demonstrate a specialised knowledge of exercise science which informs the design of a coaching plan, including long term development plans for apparently healthy participants who wish to improve their performance, or participate in sport.

Ensure that theoretical knowledge informs professional practise in the design and implementation of sport coaching programmes.

Plan, develop and manage a sport coaching programme for a sports participant.

Apply current science and research to inform decision-making in the context of participants needs and their sport performance goals.

Demonstrate knowledge of ethical practice, professional scope of practice and referral in line with professional standards.

Understand the rules and governance of their chosen sport.

Apply business and management practices to run and administer a coaching business, sports team or event.

Rationale:
The Advanced Certificate in Coaching Science responds to the continuing growth of the sport sector and the establishment of the professional body for coaching practitioners under the auspices of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). SASCOC ensures international benchmarking and internationally agreed standards for coaching professionals through its association with associated international sporting bodies.

This qualification meets the SASCOC standards for coaching practitioners, specifically for the professional designation of Coach and Senior Coach. Thus it addresses the increasing need for specialisation in the sport coaching sector, in either a performance or participation setting. It acknowledges that as the profession expands and grows its social identity, its professional designations and their concomitant theoretical and vocational knowledge requirement increases. This qualification aims to:

Ensure that the professional practices of sport coaches adhere to current principles of exercise science.

Develop the appropriate knowledge and skills for professional practice in sport and coaching (to encourage participation or performance) at a specific coaching level.

Enhance the professional standards of coaching practitioners by ensuring understanding of and commitment to working within a scope of practice that gives credibility to their profession. Align the education and training for coaching professionals to the international sport and fitness community, and with the national federation.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The policy for Recognition of Prior Learning caters for a number of categories of RPL:

Recognition of informal work-based knowledge and skills to enable access to a qualification.

Recognition of prior formal learning credits to enable access to a qualification.

Recognition of prior informal learning to enable achievement of the qualification.

The policy caters comprehensively for RPL with instruments designed for the assessment of evidence from a range of environments as well as mechanisms for the evaluation of learners' formal and informal learning and the applicability of credit transfer to this qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

A Higher Certificate at Level 5 or Equivalent.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 6 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules; 95 Credits:

Coaching Skills, 25 Credits.

Coaching Science, 35 Credits.

Sport Development, 10 Credits.

Coaching Management, 15 Credits.

Applied Coaching Capstone, 10 Credits.

Elective Modules, 25 Credits (Choose one):

Coaching Cricket, 25 Credits.

Coaching Football, 25 Credits.

Coaching Hockey, 25 Credits.

Coaching Netball, 25 Credits.

Coaching Rugby, 25 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Understand how to identify, plan, and implement a skills training programme to improve technical performance.
2. Identify and assess correct/incorrect technique and plan and implement a corrective programme.
3. Coach a chosen sport by applying professional coaching principles.
4. Apply business and management principles to run and administer a business or sports events.
5. Manage administrative, health, safety, risk and legislative responsibilities in coaching.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Demonstrate an understanding of planning and implementing sessions to meet the needs and goals of the participant/s and the sport.

Assess skills in term of their technical correctness, and draw up a programme to correct the faults.

Identify sport specific skills as being of importance.

Manage a skill training programme.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Draw up exercises/drills to improve the technical execution of a movement.

Implement programmes to plan, manage and improve the development of the correct technical skill.

Draw up correct drills to improve the skill.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Apply relevant communication techniques to sport coaching.

Apply knowledge of motivation and motivation techniques to sport coaching.

Apply psychology principles in the context of sport and mental skills training.

Demonstrate roles and responsibilities of coaching according to the codes of conduct and professional standards of a chosen sport.

Implement coaching within a sport code, using effective methods of instruction, drills, and equipment that enhance sport skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Identify methods for establishing a coaching business in terms of correct business administrative procedures.

Demonstrate management principles and apply them to a touring team.

Understand management processes against the background of a sports club or facility.

Plan and run a business through sound financial management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Plan and organise sport programmes for beginner to intermediate levels in consideration of safety and risk factors.

Demonstrate knowledge of values and ethics in terms of professional conduct and codes of practice.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated assessment at the level of qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas, and actions to achieve knowledge and skills that are coherent to the purpose of this qualification. Integrated assessment judges the quality of the observable performance and the quality of the critical thinking and problem solving that underpins the performance.

Assessment tools encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpins their performance. Assessment includes a range of tasks which ensure that learners demonstrate their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in sport conditioning. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the modules within this qualification.

Knowledge is assessed through ongoing class tests, semester exams and assignments. Practical skills are demonstrated through practical projects, demonstrations, skill tests, and simulations. Learners demonstrate sport and exercise conditioning skills, using relevant equipment and demonstrating appropriate skills of training modality being taught. Projects show how learners work with participants or athletes, preparing sport conditioning programmes, monitoring and adapting programmes according to the needs of participants/athletes.

Learners gain experience in sport coaching environments, with schools or sport clubs, achieving relevant theoretical knowledge and skill-based outcomes. Hours are logged according to set criteria and practical capabilities are assessed. Assessed evidence indicate the competencies, the knowledge requirements and practical skills.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification has been compared against sport coaching qualifications in New Zealand, Australia and United Kingdom, and shows a substantial degree of similarity. The concept of a single qualification that includes fundamental knowledge of sport science and the common principles of effective coaching and exercise conditioning are common to these qualifications. The addition of applied coaching within a specific sport is part of the qualification in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Country: New Zealand.
Institution: Southern Institute of Technology.
Qualification name: New Zealand Certificate in Sport coaching (Level 3).

Country: New Zealand.
Institution: University of Canterbury.
Qualification name: Graduate Certificate in Sport coaching (1-year programme).

Country: Australia.
Institution: TAFE Queensland.
Qualification name: Diploma of Sport Development (Coaching).

Country: Australia.
Institution: Academies Australia.
Qualification name: Diploma of Sport Coaching (18 months).

Country: United Kingdom.
Institution: Oxford Brookes University.
Qualification name: Coaching Science Pre-Bachelor (18 months).

Country: United Kingdom.
Institution: Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Qualification name: Sport Coaching and Performance HN Dip (2 years).

Country: United Kingdom.
Institution: University of Derby.
Qualification name: Sport coaching FdA (2 years).

The Advanced Certificate in Coaching Science qualification is comparable to those identified in the international benchmarking with the above qualifications, in that it reflects similarities in the following:

Graduate outcomes: the type and ability of the graduates from these international universities is aligned to this qualification.

Modules outcomes: the progammes are similar in their module outcomes being similar. The construction of the modules differs between programmes, but when reviewing the programme, similar outcomes are found.

Theoretical and practical components: all courses place a high degree of importance on the application of the theoretical components of coaching.

Course duration: The duration of the courses is aligned with this qualification.

Professional body alignment: Each country has their own professional coaching framework. These are similar in that they provide a number of coaching pathways - similar to SASSCOC. This qualification is aligned with the professional frame work within each country, and ensures a certain amount of portability.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Diploma in Sport and Exercise, Level 6.

Advanced Certificate in Sport, Recreation Management, Level 6.

Advanced Certificate in Fitness Conditioning Coach, Level 6.

Vertical Articulation:

Bachelor of Arts in Sport and Exercise Science, Level 7.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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