Today, as part of National Mentoring Day, we wanted to shine a light on our Coach Education team.
Staff development is at the heart of what we do at Prime. We are very proud to guide young people from being a participant in a Teens class, to a class helper assisting coaches on the gym floor, to earning a British Gymnastics coaching qualification and leading their own groups of children. Going through this journey allows them to engage with the sport of gymnastics in a different way, gain a new perspective and ‘pay it forward’ as they help the next generation follow in their footsteps.
A lot of work takes place behind the scenes to support our large team of coaches. On any given week, around 30 class helpers and over 40 coaches work together to teach thousands of children. They all have access to staff and process that are in place to guide and nurture them.
Our Coach Education Manager, Shannon Warner, is supported closely by Coach Education Coordinators Morgan Parry and Lia Doyle. We caught up with them to ask them about their roles and why they believe in the work they do.
Shannon Warner (Coach Education Manager)
Why is Coach Education an important part of Prime Acrobatics?
“Coach education is a huge part of Prime because it helps us give the best possible experience for every person that comes in through the door. The more knowledgeable and confident our coaches are, the better they can deliver safe, engaging and fun sessions. Investing time into our coaches means we are constantly developing new skills, keeping up to date with best practice, and creating a positive environment where both coaches and gymnasts can grow.“
What are you most proud of from your time as Coach Education Manager?
“Seeing the growth in the whole coaching team. Supporting so many of our coaches through qualifications and mentoring, Watching coaches build their confidence, develop their knowledge, and help create a positive coaching environment where the staff feel supported to learn and ask questions.These are especially highlighted on our staff training days, which we run 3 times a year.
“I’ve also enjoyed seeing Morgan and Lia grow in confidence and really own their roles! Watching them step up, take on more responsibility, and become strong leaders within the team has been a real highlight and something I’m really proud of.
“Finally, I’m really proud that I personally get to learn and grow from some of the best coaches and mentors in Lucy, Matte and Chris. They have all been a huge part of my own development, having that support, guidance and challenge from them, has helped me grow in confidence and in my role.“
Over the past five years, the team has successfully guided many young coaches through the virtual British Gymnastics level 1 qualification process. Learners attended four online sessions with a British Gymnastics tutor, totalling 16 hours of learning. They were then tasked with completing a logbook of written work and session plans while they developed their coaching skills on the gym floor and grew in confidence. They then prepared for as assessment process which involved producing a 30-minute video of them coaching assigned skilled and then take part in a professional discussion with their assessor online. The amount of time and effort allocated to supporting multiple learners through this process has been immeasurable.
Prime Acrobatics Operations Executive Matte Hart; “The team adapted to the new online format of the level 1 qualification so well. Each trainee coach had a mentor assigned to them. Each of the Coach Education team members would have multiple learners to support, often overlapping. It was a real test of not just their mentoring skills on the gym floor, but also their organisational and communication skills. There was always someone submitting draft sessions plans for feedback, filming their assessment video, preparing for their professional discussion or just need a bit of advice. They had a lot to juggle, and this is all on top of their own coaching and running staff training days every few months. I’m so proud on how well they managed the workload over the past few years. They take great pride in their work and always aim to provide exceptional support to each coach they work with.”
Morgan Parry (Coach Education Coordinator)
How has being a member of the Coach Education team allowed you to develop yourself?
“Stepping into this role as a mentor and role model, supporting and developing our younger coaches promotes continuous professional development, which has also reflected on myself too. Always finding ways to improve and up-skill whether it’s on-the-job skills or personal growth, is what the Coach Education team is all about. Practising what you preach is really important!“
What do you hope coaches take away from the staff training days that you organise?
“Our staff training days are packed with information, ranging from safeguarding practises to learning new coaching techniques. We often invite special guests to demonstrate specific equipment, allowing coaches to experiment and learn new skills. This also serves as a reminder of our core mission: keeping activities fun and safe.“
What do you enjoy most about your Coach Education work?
“I enjoyed the personal connection I gained when mentoring. Watching a coach grow in confidence, build their coaching style and implement this within classes was very rewarding. It feels amazing to add new coaches to the team and grow together all with the same passion and goals in mind.“
The British Gymnastics qualification system has since evolved. The new ‘Assistant Foundation Coach’ accreditation replaces online lessons and video assessments with in-person practical course dates and on-course sign off by the tutor. It’s a whole new process for the team to learn and work out how best to support our coaches passing through the system. One vital step being included at Prime is an in-house sign off process after the British Gymnastics process has concluded. This involves regular check-ins with the newly qualified coach, continued monitoring and support as they apply their learning the the classes they deliver.
Shannon; “My hope is that all new coaches who complete the Assistant Foundation Coach process feel confident, supported and excited to continue developing. I want it to give them really strong foundations, while also making coaching enjoyable from day one. I hope we continue creating an environment where coaches feel comfortable asking questions, learning from those around them and growing at their own pace. If we can build confident coaches from the start, it will have a huge positive impact on both the coaching team and our gymnast.”
Lia Doyle (Coach Education Coordinator)
What are some of the day-to-day duties within your role?
“I take care of communication between coaches and the Coach Ed team. I am embedded in planning staff training, making educational resources and mentoring younger coaches. We are currently mostly working on the changes from Level 1 to Assistant Foundation Coach so this is a priority task for us at the moment.
I enjoy being part of such a supportive team and company, seeing the development of coaches and team members because of Coach Ed processes makes this job worthwhile.”
What do you feel you have personally taken away from your time on the team?
“I enjoy being part of such a supportive team and company. Seeing the development of coaches and team members because of Coach Ed processes makes this job worthwhile.”
We are incredibly proud of the fantastic work and mentoring the Prime Acrobatics Coach Education team provides, bringing a rich value to the entire team, which trickles down throughout all of our classes. Today, on National Mentoring Day, we celebrate their success and thank them for everything they do! Thank you, Shannon! Thank you, Lia! Thank you, Morgan!