UKA coach in running fitness

Description

The Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) Award is designed for those who want to get involved in coaching runners over the age of 12 who take part in non-track based activities e.g. road, fell, cross country or multi terrain events.

The CiRF award provides coaches with an introduction to coaching knowledge and skills relating to running. During the programme candidates will be asked to consider the needs of individuals who have a range of fundamental movement skills regardless of their chronological age. CiRF coaches will work with runners of all abilities and interests, including those new to the sport, returning to the sport and competitive runners.

The CiRF programme will take a minimum of six months to complete, however, once underway, applicants have up to two years to complete all elements.

Please note that the CiRF programme is not designed for coaches who want to work with runners taking part in track-based endurance events such as 800m – 10,0000m or steeplechase. If you elect to take the CiRF award you will not eligible to take the Event Group Endurance qualifications or any Event Specialist On Track Endurance awards without first taking ‘Coaching Assistant’ and then ‘Athletics Coach’.

Who is this qualification for?

Coaches must be 18 or over to embark on the CiRF programme. The programme is primarily for those working with runners up to and including the event group development stage.

All applicants must be active leaders or coaches who have completed as a minimum a Level 1, Jog Leader or Coaching Assistant course.

CiRF is about the broad application to non-track based endurance running events rather than specific events or distances. If you want to coach middle and long distance on track you should take the Athletics Coach award.

(Jog Leaders should have been delivering to a group for 12 months prior to accessing the CiRF, a support coach is essential in all cases).

Prerequisites and progression

Anyone wishing to attend the CiRF programme will need to complete an application form and sign up to the terms and conditions of being a Coach. Forms should be submitted to scottishathletics.

Coaches also need to hold a current PVG Disclosure, where they will be engaged in working with young people (Under 18 years) or Protected Adults.

PVG Disclosure checks are not transferable between sports and other organisations therefore scottishathletics must have a new check made. The PVG itself is free for club volunteers.

Once candidates have registered for the CiRF programme they should access uCoach to view, download and print resources relating to the programme and the Coach role.

Prior to attending the programme it is strongly recommend that candidates familiarise themselves with resources used. There is an Induction Pack to be completed prior to attending day one of the programme and candidates should begin as soon as they have booked.

If a candidate’s club is unable to provide a Support Coach they should contact scottishathletics Coaching Co-ordinator who will be able to signpost them to appropriate Support Coaches in their area.

Cost: £425 / £170*

*Coaching Subsidy

Through our funding partner, sportscotland, there is a coaching subsidy of 60% of the course fee available for those applying for CiRF or Athletics Coach. To be eligible to receive the coaching subsidy, coaches must meet the following at the time of booking:

• Agree to coach through sport in the community (i.e. clubs, local programmes, schools, community, or performance sport) within six months of applying for the subsidy.
• Agree to coach on average once per week, or a minimum of 24 times per year
• Agree to become a scottishathletics coach member at the time of booking, if not already a member
• Agree to continue to develop as a coach through ongoing communications with a support coach and attend coach development opportunities as and when appropriate
• Agree to work with named support coach in the development as a coach.
• Provide a statement, why this course will benefit you as a coach, and what impact will this have on the club / school / community.

To find and apply for a course that suits you, please view our Coaching Qualifications Calendar.