Roto, in answering your query, I have paraphrased you to some extent, merely to answer the many individual points you make. I have triednot to ‘change’ what you have said in any way, so if I have chopped out a paragraph at the wrong point, apologies, I am not point scoring.
“interesting to note that a level 2 angling coach has a qualification the equivelent to a GCSE grade a-c; in old money that is an O level. This is enough to class you as a professional coach/teacher of angling.”
When one considers that most of us here were taught by non–qualified personnel, to have qualified coaches available now is a huge bonus. When one considers the very basics of angling, then the actual course content is actually quite advanced. The point is that all sports operate the same system by and large, so a Level 1 or 2 in 1 sport undertakes roughly the same amount of work as in another. This was passed by the same body which ratifies GCSE’s A levels etc. (QCA at the time I think ) Hence a uefa B footy qualification is a lot more than teaching a kid how to kick a footy, believe it or not there are several different ways to do this. So an angling qualificationis not just about tackling up, putting a maggot on a hook and casting out.
"don't get me wrong as i don't knock any educational qualification and these qualifications don't include experience. "
The course does include experience, if I am not mistaken aside from classroom study it is 60 hours to include logged coaching experience before you can obtain a pass.
"1. the real issue here is that if these qualifications are not too difficult
2. then why is there not a coach attached to every club in the country? "
1. Firstly actually take the course yourselfand then decide if it is difficult or not. At this point, no disrespect intended, you are not qualified to judgehow 'difficult' it is. Or like most anglersyou can choose not to take the course, and there you have the answer to number 2. Essentially people/adults want to go fishing and cannot be ar5ed with kids, hence there is not a coaching set up at every club.
"and why are all youngsters not required to complete a coaching course in the various fishing disciplines before being allowed to fish?"
Good question, but ask yourself this, if this were the case how many kids would be turned away from fishing if they had to do this? Angling as a sport I believe has nomatch in the equality stakes. You can be tall/fat/short/slow/fast academically brilliant or illiterate, yet you can still be good at angling. As it is many clubs do provide courses for kids, 'The Kingfsher' award was one I think, but again it is not a pre-requisite.
"making good habits before bad ones are learnt is surely the way to go?"
Correct, which is why more coaches are needed.Thosewho put themselves out, often at their own expense to help kids out and give them the right start deserve ourtotal respect.
"am i just getting old?"
Dunno, one thing though, some people reckon thathelping kids out in the right environment will make you feel younger!
Hope this helps.
