Hawkesbury Schools embrace Equestrian in Schools
Are you looking to gain more experience working with children? Or maybe you want to earn some extra money each week or recruit more members to your club? Why not consider becoming a Community Coach and running Ready Set Trot - Playground Skills in schools near you.
Over the last couple of years Active After School Communities Program has introduced Ready Set Trot - Playground Skills as a choice for their centres. Throughout the third and fourth terms of 2013 there were 10 schools in the Hawkesbury region of NSW which chose to run the equestrian themed program as their After School program.
We spoke to one of the Community Coaches, NCAS Level 2 Vaulting coach Lynette Lynch.
Lyn attended the Hills and Hawkesbury region's AASC Community Coach program for equestrian coaches in 2012.
“Christine Johnson and I conducted four school programs after attaining our Community Coach accreditations. At Kurrajong East Public School we presented equestrian education to over forty children aged between 6 – 8 years of age. It was certainly the most fun and at the same time challenging teaching assignments we have shared”.
Equestrian Australia is looking to run a Community Coaching Training Program (CCTP) in the Hawkesbury during May. The one day session is free to attend and is open to anyone that is interested in equestrian sport and getting involved in the community. A similar program will be staged in Adelaide in late March with details to be published on the EA website - so stay tuned.
What is Ready Set Trot - Playground Skills?
Ready Set Trot - Playground Skills provides young people with an introduction to horses through a series of free games and activities. It is the most accessible way to dip a hoof into the horse world and has been designed especially for school teachers, after-school carers, parents and club coaches. Ready Set Trot - Playground Skills requires minimal resources so it can be delivered anywhere, anytime, by anyone. By using the imagination of children to link horses to everyday play, children are acquainted with a basic understanding of the horse world.
Benefits of the Ready Set Trot - Playground Skills program
- Increased physical activity amongst children - One full hour of physically active games related to horses has been included within each session. Children should obtain an increased heart rate and basic muscular workout from the activities listed in each lesson plan.
- Emphasis on fundamental values and principles - Horses and equestrian activities promote and instill the education of fundamental values and principles within children. Values promoted within the program include: Communication and trust; cooperation and team work; empathy and respect; responsibility and accountability and; understanding, tolerance and inclusion.
- Fully prepared lesson plans and photocopy ready activity sheets - To support teachers and coaches with limited time for lesson preparation complete lesson plans for each session have been provided. No horse knowledge, experience or equipment is required to deliver the Ready Set Trot - Playground Skills program.
- Create opportunities for children interested in horses but lack access - The Ready Set Trot program has been designed for children aged 5 to 12 years with an interest in horses but without the access to a horse of their own.
What is Active After School Communities Program (AASC)?
The Australian Government's AASC program is a national initiative that provides primary school children with access to free sport and other structured physical activity programs in the after school time slot of 3.00pm to 5.30pm.
The program aims to engage children in sport and other structured physical activities and through a positive and fun experience, develop a love of sport that inspires them to join a local sporting club.
Ready Set Trot - Playground Skills is one of a wide range of sports endorsed by AASC, giving children the opportunity to participate in sports they would normally not have access to.
What is the Community Coaching Training Program?
The CCTP is a combination of Beginning Coaching General Principles and the Playing for Life philosophy. It has a particular emphasis on management and delivery strategies for primary school aged children. It contains approximately 11 hours of theory and practical work. Modules 2, 3 and 4 are completed online prior to attending a course. (Coaches who have completed Beginning Coaching General Principles will receive RPL's for these modules).
What are the benefits for community coaches?
- Payment for coaching (if you have the necessary insurances).
- Access to a free ASC coaching course (equivalent to the NCAS Beginning Coaching General Principles).
- Access to excellent resources at all sites where the AASC program operates, including activity kits and equipment.
- Support and training through a locally based regional coordinator.
- Opportunities to develop networks and pathways to increase club membership.
- A fantastic way to volunteer in the local community and/or complete work experience and student placements.
- Direct marketing to horse mad kids for your business or club.
Who is eligible to become a community coach?
Anyone may apply to become a community coach in the AASC program. These include, but are not excluded to: Out of School Hours Care Services staff, teachers, senior and tertiary students, development officers from national and state sporting organisations, local sporting club members, private providers, parents, guardians, athletes and beginner to professional coaches.
What are the requirements?
- Completion of a free Community Coach Training Program (CCTP)
- Submission of a Probationary registration form: Probationary registration is valid for 6 months from the date of approval. To obtain full registration, the applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete a practical assessment by the Australian Sports Commission and submit further application.
- Satisfactory completion of a National criminal history police check/working with children check
Each semester schools and Out of School Hours Care Services (OSHCS), identify the types of activities they would like delivered to the children participating within the AASC program. Once these activities have been identified, AASC Regional Coordinators will facilitate links between local sports clubs, community organisations and private providers to identify suitable coaches to meet these needs.
For information on courses running in your area contact Rebecca from Equestrian Australia [email protected] or visit the AASC website.
For more information see the links below:
Newsletter
