Higher Certificate in Sport Coaching and Exercise Sciences

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide sport coaches with competencies to ensure athletes are coached within a holistic framework of athlete development. This will be ensured using the principles of coaching science, developing the skills to identify common sports injuries, the knowledge of human sport performance, exercise physiology and personal development. These skills will add to the holistic development of the athlete within the four domains for coaching (children, participation for adolescents and adults, emerging and talented athletes and high-performance athletes).

Rationale

This qualification is in line with South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC's ) Learning, Teaching and Curriculum Development (LTCD), were coaches are required to undergo professional training and education in order to coach athletes. Many coaches working within Federations do not have any formal education qualification and will now be required to follow the guidelines set out by SASCOC in order to coach. The Higher Certificate in Sports Coaching and Exercise Science has been aligned to the guidelines set out in the LTCD document. The qualification reflects the changing needs of South African sport's coaching climate and industry that calls for a more professional and focused training framework for coaches across Federations.

The Higher Certificate will be contributing to its value of "participating in and helping the community" by ensuring athletes gain the benefit of being coached by well-trained coaches who promote health and wellness. Students will thus be in a position to contribute actively to the health benefits associated with participation in sport within their society and be in a position to contribute within the economy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Faculty accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It acknowledges that all learning has value and accepts the challenge posed by the assessment of prior learning and awards credits that are aligned with the Faculty's programmes in order to promote lifelong learning.

RPL applicants will be assessed in terms of their skills, knowledge and abilities by evaluating them against the qualification's Exit Level Outcomes. All applicants who wish to gain access to this programme via RPL will need to submit the relevant documentation. This documentation will include reference letters from a sports federation and proof of prior coaching experience.

Entry Requirements

The minimum admission requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate (SC).

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV), Level 4.

And

• Relevant experience in the sport industry.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

• Basic Anatomy and Physiology, 10 Credits.
• Basic coaching science, 10 Credits.
• Coaching within the four domains, 20 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning, 10 Credits.
• Basic injury prevention, 10 Credits.
• Communication and computer literacy, 5 Credits.
• Self-management and personal skill development, 5 Credits.
• Sport Leadership and Ethics in Coaching, 10 Credits.
• Sport Law, 10 Credits.
• Facility and competition management, 10 Credits.
• Club administration, 5 Credits.
• Coaching athletes with disabilities, 10 Credits.
• First Aid Level 1, 5 Credits.

1. Demonstrate the ability to conduct and design basic fitness training protocols within the four domains of coaching namely a) children b) participation c) talent identification d) high performance and disability sport as well as show competence in preventing common sport related injuries.
2. Develop a personal coaching philosophy, vision and code of conduct.
3. Identify key aspects of sport law and key risk factors within the coaching context and sport
4. Develop a basic understanding of sport facility and event management as well as identifying the key requirements for starting a sports club.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Write out a periodised fitness training plan within the four domains of coaching as well as training plans for athletes with disability.
• Prepare training plans demonstrating how potential sport injuries can be prevented and treated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Compose a personal coaching philosophy and code of conduct.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Explain the key risk factors within the coaching context and how these relate to the basic tenants of sport law.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Design a strategy for a sports event.
• Write up the key components for a sports club.

Integrated Assessment

Formative and Summative Assessments will be integrated to provide a coherent indication of the candidates' ability, skill and experience. Formative assessment practices may include formal and informal class tests, module or semester tests (where applicable), projects and practical assessments. Summative assessment will be done on completion of each module to assess the achievement of outcomes and may include written examinations, practical examinations, and project assessments.

Integrated assessment approaches are required. These assessments are focused on assessing the achievement of the Exit-Level Outcomes holistically, i.e. in groups rather than individually, and will be done where possible/manageable by means of written examinations, practical examinations, project evaluations and final examinations in each module, including project reports and presentation assessments.

Work Integrated Learning will be included in the qualification and will be assessed in conjunction with the coaches in various sports federations where students will be placed.