NEWS

Coaching first for STA

The STA Level 2 Award in Open Water Swimming Coaching has become the first open water coaching qualification to be endorsed by CIMSPA’s new Employer Led Professional Standard Coach standard.

This endorsement signifies that STA’s awarding-winning open water swimming coaching qualification meets CIMSPA’s Professional Standards related to coaching in the UK.

Kaylë Brightwell MCIMSPA, Head of Qualification Development at Safety Training Award (STA’s Awarding Organisation), said: “It is fantastic to achieve endorsement from the sector’s single chartered professional body – and to be the first to set the standard for professional open water swimming coaching in the UK.”

Cimspa

CIMSPA’s Professional Standards for Coach and Coaching Assistant have been developed by employers, supported by CIMSPA, UK Coaching and national organisations such as Association for Physical Education, Youth Sport Trust and ukactiveKIDS, who along with others made up the sector’s Community Sport Professional Development Committee.

The new standards have been designed to provide an agreed reference point of the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of coaching assistants and coaches.

STA’s Level 2 Open Water Swimming Coaching qualification was launched last year after consultation with experts from the world of open water swimming, including Olympic Silver Medallist Keri-anne Payne, FINA open water consultant Colin Hill, Outdoor Swimmer founder Simon Griffiths, Channel Swimming Association, British Long Distance Association, International Ice Swimming Association.

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Jonathan is a year-round skins swimmer with a particular love of very cold water. He has competed in ice swimming competitions around the world. He is a qualified open water coach with a particular love of introducing new swimmers to the open water.