All swimming coaches should be licenced. Licencing embodies accreditation which is evidence of an assessed standard of theory and practical skills as well as ongoing ethical conduct as evidenced by ASCTA/ SAL membership and the compliance with set codes of behaviour..
To be licenced a swimming coach must be accredited, but a coach can be accredited without maintaining their licence. This is similar to a doctor who has a medical degree for life, but must be licenced or registered to practice.
Swimmers, parents, clubs and others can contact ASCTA at any time to verify the status of their coaches and Swim Australia Teachers.
Swimming Australia and most State Swimming Associations require coaches to be licenced to:
gain access to the pool deck and warm up areas at their sanctioned swim meets
selection as a representative coach
course presenting
ensure that a code of behaviour has been signed
acknowledge that a working with children check has been sighted
enable action to be taken when allegations of a breach of the codes of behaviour are made
Licenced coaches are subject to ongoing abeyance to enforceable codes of behaviour and are eligible to access the industry insurance scheme, benevolence assistance from ASCTA, professional development via splashes, journals, Inside Coaching, Swim Tips and other items from ASCTA. They also undergo a desk audit of their skills every four years to “reaccredit”.
All licenced coaches are provided with an emailed receipt of ASCTA membership payment automatically when their membership is activated. Within 5-10 days of the process date they will receive a membership card which shows all current accreditations and an expiry date. Coaches are also supplied with a lanyard and plastic sleeve in which they can display their membership card when on pool deck. The receipt initially and then the membership card is evidence of the coach being licenced and one of these should be able to be produced upon request. Coaches losing their card can be supplied with replacement cards by ASCTA.
If a coach does not hold a current licence it is also questionable whether their insurer will cover them in the event of an incident or accident. ASCTA members fall due for all coaches on July 1 each year. Clubs should check coaching credentials at least yearly to ensure ongoing compliance.
ASCTA joins with Swimming Australia to strongly encourage all to only use and employ licenced swimming coaches. Contact ASCTA by phone 07 5494 9649 during office hours or email coaching@ascta.com to verify any persons licence or accreditation.
Should you have any concerns or need advice, please do not hesitate to contact the SNSW Development Officer kimberley.norton@nsw.swimming.org.au