Courses for athletes and coaches
THE Bestmed Madibaz Athletics Club, in conjunction with Eastern Province Athletics, will present a series of coaching courses at the Daniel Pienaar Technical High School in Uitenhage next month.
Running from January 10-12, the series – for coaches and athletes – will consist of courses in three categories. These will be held simultaneously.
One will be a clinic, over three days, for coaches and athletes.
In addition, two courses will be presented for those who aspire to become qualified coaches under Athletics South Africa (ASA).
Madibaz club athletics manager Nellis Bothma said there was a big demand for such much-needed courses in the Eastern Cape.
“There is a need for students and teachers to be given a chance to attend such courses, now available in their own region.”
Bothma said Madibaz Athletics was working with EP Athletics to provide the opportunity for coaches to learn the latest techniques.
“The course is open to anyone, with the main aim to provide knowledge for coaches to improve our athletes across the board.”
The clinic would provide 70% practical knowledge and 30% theoretical information, he said.
“Coaches, who are not keen to do the ASA courses, can attend this clinic – and athletes can enter individually or come with other athletes or their coaches.”
He said the clinic was different to the coaching courses on offer.
People planning to attend would have to choose between the coaching clinic, or either the ASA Level 1 or ASA Level 2 coaches’ course.
“The Level 1 course is for coaches and athletes who wish to obtain a coaching certificate from ASA, and is open to all,” Bothma said.
Coaches would receive an ASA certificate if they passed the openbook exam, he said.
It will have four sections – jumps, throws, sprints and hurdles, and middle- and long-distance running.
The minimum requirements for the Level 2 course are having a Level 1 certificate, having coached for at least two years as a qualified Level 1 coach, and having coached at least two athletes who have competed in a national championship.
“The Level 2 exam is more advanced and will have a pass mark of 70%,” Bothma said.
The closing date to enter for the courses is January 7.
Entries for the Level 1 and Level 2 courses must be sent to Hugo Badenhorst at hugo.badenhorst@lantic.net
The cost is R650, plus R300 for accommodation, if required.
For the clinic, send names to Zirk Kemp, zirkemp@yahoo. com , or eniemand@danielpienaar.co.za. It costs R160 for coaches, R100 for athletes, and R300 for accommodation, if required.