Coaching Policy
The ESMBA believe strongly that structured coaching is the best way forward to improve the standard of all bowlers from beginners, through club and county up to international level.
We have therefore chosen to pursue coaching excellence through Coach Bowls. Their courses are the only Bowls coaching courses to be professionally recognised nationally.
The Coach Bowls website has more information about them.
Read on for more information on how to become a registered short mat coach.
Coach Bowls Level 1 Course
The Level 1 course is designed to give a coach the basic knowledge relating to ‘how to coach’, as the fundamental techniques of delivery, line and length are similar for all form of bowls.
There is therefore no specific ‘short mat’ Level 1 course, instead it is recommended that you contact Adam at Coach Bowls adam@coachbowls.org and indicate that you wish to undertake the course as a short mat coach and then liaise with him to book an appropriate local Level 1 course.
Coach Bowls Level 2 Course
Most Level 2 courses are not short mat specific although it is hoped that if there is sufficient demand then a specific short mat course might be available once a year.
Current ‘ESMBA Level 1’ coaches (ie non 'Coach Bowls' coaches)
Coach Bowls will continue to recognise existing ESMBA approved coaches at ESMBA Level 1,
providing these coaches remain members of Coach Bowls (currently approx. £18 per annum). However, these coaches will not be certfied and may therefore have issues in gaining access to schools, leisure centres and other educational facilities.
The ESMBA will actively encourage any ESMBA Level 1 short mat coaches (as specified on the coaching directory) to take and pass the Coach Bowls Level 1 course (Current cost £135). The ESMBA will meet the cost of this course once the course has been successfully completed and a copy of the Certificate has been submited to the ESMBA Coaching Director.
Coach Bowls Coaches from other bowls codes
The ESMBA will recognise Coach Bowls certficated coaches from other bowls codes to coach short mat providing they meet the criteria below:
Criteria for coaches to be listed in the ESMBA Coaching Directory
- Must hold a Coach Bowls recognised qualification in Bowls.
- Must hold a valid Enhanced DBS certificate (and register for the automatic update service) Forms and information are available from the ESMBA Lead Safeguarding contact lynn@esmba.co.uk who will need to approve the issued DBS.
- Must be a current member of the ESMBA.
- Must be a current member of Coach Bowls.
- Will be expected to promote the game of short mat bowls and be pro-active in coaching (not wait to be asked).
- Recommended that they have a current First Aid Certificate. If held, a copy of the certificate should be sent to the Coaching Director.
Continuous Professional Development
The ESMBA may arrange Continuous Professional Development (CPD) modules in either written or practical formats. You can find more information on our CPD page.
ESMBA Financial Support
The ESMBA recognise that this coaching policy requires a great deal of commitment on the part of coaches and with this in mind will pay towards achieving the qualifications needed.
The following scale of funding is available once a pass is obtained, and name/contact details have been added to the ESMBA Coaching Directory:
- Counties with 1 – 500 Members: Refund cost of 1 coaching course on passing Level 1
- Counties with 501 – 1000 Members: Refund cost of 2 coaching courses on passing Level 1
- Counties with 1000+ Members: Refund cost of 3 coaching courses on passing Level 1
Level 2 Course funding will be considered on a request basis.
Counties are requested to actively promote this initiative and to formulate their own internal application process, thus fully endorsing each coaching applicant.
Martin McGregor
ESMBA Coaching Director
If you have any ques ons, please do not hesitate to contact me.