Summary
Archery GB recognises the importance of coaching to the success of the sport in relation to archers at all stages of their development. For Archery GB to proactively support the quality and quantity of coaching already delivered by volunteers and paid coaches it was seen as essential to gain an insight into current activity across the coaching system through a series of coaching workforce audits.
The ambition identified by Archery GB to gain a greater understanding of coaching activity coincided with progress in the delivery of The UK Coaching Framework. As part of the UK Coaching Framework Sports Coach UK developed a Coaching Workforce 2009-2016 document. Archery GB became one of several governing bodies to become engaged with the initial stage of the coaching workforce process. Archery GB designed a workforce audit process to collect data from the individuals undertaking coaching (both qualified and unqualified) as well as clubs, county and regional officers.
Approach
The audit comprised of four self completion audit forms which were designed for Regional Coaching Organisers, County Coaching Organisers, Clubs and Coaches. The distribution of the audits was coordinated by the Coaching Development Project Manager through the Archery GB website, direct mailings, emails and telephone calls. All audits were also made available on the coaching section of the Archery GB website for individuals to access and download.
The analysis of the audits was undertaken using SPSS which provided a platform for the processing of the statistical data, whilst all written comments were collated and analysed through a coding process to identify common trends. The analysis led to the production of a national report for Archery GB.
Outcome
The results from the primary research conducted as part of this audit process were presented in a report for Archery GB and were utilised by Sports Coach UK in The Coaching Workforce 2009-2016 publication. The level of data collated allowed for further breakdown reports to be produced for home countries and regions.