National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS)
The NCAS is an intitiative of the Australian Sports Commission that allows sports to provide coaches with sport-specific information to improve their skills, and provides pathways for the future development of coaching.
An amended NCAS syllabus was launched in 2004. This incorporates four levels and three specialist modules, which are as follows.
Level 1 Coaching Course
Competency Level
Learn to Row programs and Beginner Crews
Prerequisites
Over 16 years of age
Little or no coaching experience required
Target
Anyone interested in coaching: parents; teachers; outdoor recreation instructors; boat race officials; and, senior school students.
Course Details
1 day
Covering: professional issues; basic rowing technique; teaching methodology and terminology; plus, practical sessions on water.
Practical
10 hours of coaching signed off by an accredited assessor.
Authority
Accredited to coach under the indirect supervision of a higher level coach.
Level 2 Coaching Course
Competency Level
Competitive Crews
Prerequisites
Accredited Level 1 Rowing Coach.
1 year of coaching experience as a Level 1 Coach
Target
Coaches who already have some experience in the sport and are coaching competitive crews.
Course Details
2 days
Increase depth level of coaching knowledge with more time allocated to practical elements such as rigging and fault correction. Basic sports science principles are introduced. Professional issues, physiology and anatomy, rowing techniques, rigging, coaching methodology, training methodology and medical issues.
Practical
20 hours of coaching signed off by an accredited assessor.
Level 3 Coaching Course
Competency Level
Sub-elite to elite crews.
Prerequisites
Accredited Level 2 Rowing Coach.
1 year of coaching experience as a Level 2 Coach.
Level 1 Strength & Conditioning Accreditation
(— click here — for course dates and venues)
Target
Coaches of sub-elite to elite level athletes, top school crews and club coaches, academy coaches and those working with state level teams and national teams.
Course Details
Total of one week distributed over evening sessions and/or weekends.
Focuses on applied sports science concepts, and aims to provide each coach with the ‘tools of the trade’ to develop athletes to their potential. Emphasis on technique analysis and correction and individualising your coaching. Professional issues, physiology, medical issues, training methodology, strength & conditioning, advanced rigging, biomechanics, rowing technique, coaching methodology, sports psychology.
Practical
30 hours of coaching signed off by an accredited assessor.
Level 4 Coaching Course
Competency Level
Professional Coaches
Prerequisites
Accredited Level 3 Rowing Coach
1 year of coaching experience as a Level 3 Coach
Complete all three specialist modules listed below
Entry to Level 4 course will be “By Application” only
Target
Aimed at ‘Professional’ head coaches who are coaching elite athletes. Level 4 aims to train the coach to apply their coaching skills in a holistic manner, and work with a team of sports science experts to assist the athlete to achieve excellence. The role of a Level 4 coach is as a program manager and they will rely on expert coaches practicing in the field to mentor Level 4 candidates.
Course Details
Structured, independent learning and university courses.
Assessment between 12 months and 2 years.
Program management, business and the law, athlete management, planning, sports psychology and the coaching process, advanced biomechanical analysis, travel management, international trends, latest technology.
Practical
12 month mentored practicum
Special Modules
1. Coaching Masters Rowing
2. Coaching Rowers with a Disability
3. Coaching School age Rowers
Prerequisites
Must have completed Level 2 Coaching Course
Modules
The modules will provide specialist skills and knowledge for the coaches who work with these target groups.
Level 2 is a prerequisite to undertaking the specialist modules. Specialist modules may be undertaken as part of updating for Level 2 and 3 courses.
Practical
5 hours in a mentored environment.
