2019 Pula ITU Coaches Level 2 Course

09 - 13 Oct, 2019 • Pula, Croatia

Application Deadline: 31 Aug 2019

Course Language: English

Introduction
The Level 2 course is the second coaching qualification award offered by the ITU and is aimed at people with some experience of coaching (formally or informally) and of triathlon – building on existing coaching experience in Level 1. This allows coaches to enhance their capabilities by giving them sufficient breadth of knowledge, which provides a scaffold to develop their future coaching knowledge and experience. The whole process is supported by an appropriate online reference resource to guide this development.

At Level 2 the focus is on:
• Developing and delivering more advanced triathlon coaching practices, including individualized support.
• Effective planning, delivery and evaluation of a series of triathlon coaching sessions or a programme for a group or an individual.
• Understanding the processes and principles of coaching triathlon activities to groups of children and/or adults through the application of training science.
• This certificate focuses on producing a competent club coach who can promote the benefits of participating in triathlon, and appropriate skill acquisition through quality coaching of participants from grass roots level upwards.

The general format of ITU coach education courses involves introducing ‘bite-size’ topics of facilitated information, followed by an activity [group task or practical coaching] that allows coaches to apply the information in a coaching‐relevant situation. This is an important bridge between theoretical and applied understanding of coaching practice. The facilitator becomes a guide who integrates the knowledge and experience of the coaches with the course content. The facilitators therefore support coaches to take responsibility for their own development, at this level there is a greater balance between facilitator led sessions and coach led questions, knowledge and experience influencing the direction of discussion and debate.

Role description
ITU Level 2 coaches will have a broad knowledge and can independently plan, deliver, review more complex and specific sessions. They may work with any participation group, Paratriathlon, children through to adults, participation through to performance. Coaches at this level may work independently or within a team structure or under supervision depending upon their own role and the context within which they coach.

ICCE Equivalence
The ITU Level 2 coach is considered equivalent to the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) Coach role. The definition of which closely matches the ITU Level 2 Coach role description.

Attendees
Each course is limited to:
• maximum of 18 participants, if a course has more than 16 candidates this will require a third course facilitator;
• minimum of 6 participants, which may reduce number of facilitators;
• where there is a host NF, they are limited to a maximum of 50% of participants on the course, note this is a maximum, and they may be limited to fewer participants depending upon the needs across multiple federations;
• at least 20 % of the participants being female, due to ITU equal opportunities objectives. If fewer females apply, the total number of participants will be reduced to maintain the minimum ratio;
• a participant can be replaced not later than four weeks prior to the first day of the onsite course.

Target Audience
The Level 2 course is targeted at NFs and specifically individual coaches with the potential to benefit the growth of triathlon within their region. The ITU’s intention is to provide development opportunities to those who are unable to access appropriate coach development opportunities elsewhere at the current time. Priority will be given to individuals who display the following attributes:
• Desire and aptitude for coaching, with a passion for helping and supporting others, potentially across a range of contexts e.g. Local Clubs, Age Group, Child Development, Schools, Performance (Youth, U23, Elite);
• Willingness and open-mindedness to learn new skills;
• Ability to participate in the course fully and complete all required assessments;
• Commitment to fulfilling the roles and responsibilities expected of an ITU Level 2 Triathlon Coach;
• Potential to make a positive impact on Triathlon Coaching and Development in their region;
• Agree to abide by the ITU coaches Code of Ethics.

Entry Requirements
Coaches should be able to demonstrate the following in their application:
• Active Triathlon Coach, already be an active coach for minimum of three years, with experience of coaching Triathletes;
• Completion of ITU Level 1 course, with positive recommendation from Level 1 course facilitators;
• The Level 1 ITU course should have been completed at two years prior to starting the level 2 course.
• Recommendation by local NF and commitment to develop coaching skills;
• Be at least 18 years of age at the start of the course programme;
• Demonstrate a high level of spoken and written skills in the language the course will be delivered in;

Candidates and NFs should check with Regional Development Coordinator which language will be used. Courses are predominately in English, Spanish or French; There may be a process of testing written and spoken capabilities prior to accepting candidates on the course;
• Attend 100% of the course;
• Ability to complete all online tasks, will require access to a computer with internet access, in order to use the ITU Education Hub before, during and after the face to face element of the course;
• It is strongly recommended that candidates have appropriate insurance cover before undertaking any independent coaching practice, candidates should seek guidance from their own NF;
• Completion of application form and willingness to take part in interview (skype call).

Selection process
Application forms will be submitted via NFs. Applications will be reviewed by Continental Coordinators, ITU Development Staff and course facilitators. Selection of candidates will be made using several factors including but not limited to:
• Language capabilities, an inability to communicate will reduce the impact and value of the course;
• Recommendation of ITU Facilitators, ITU Development or NF.
• Equality, the ITU seeks to promote coaching across all members of society, regardless of race or gender, see attendee section for gender balance requirements;
• Specific regional needs, for example NFs who already have a lot of coaches may not be offered as many places as a NFs who have a small coaching population.
• Positive engagement with the Triathlon wider community. Coaches and NFs that have contributed positively to the triathlon community will be given preference.
Note: the application process and selection should be completed a minimum of six weeks prior to the course commencing to allow coaches to familiarize themselves with content.

Once accepted onto the course, learners will:
• be issued with an ITU Education Hub password and username;
• complete pre-course induction material, which explains requirements to complete the course;
• sent a welcome message from Facilitators, introducing themselves and outlining the initial steps;
• be required to complete online pre-course tasks and assignments within two weeks of being entered onto the education hub system. Failure to do this, may result in the participant being removed from the course.