Upskilling young players to become part of the coaching team should underpin the renewal strategy for every Judo club. Judo Australia’s Assistant Coach qualification makes it easy for dedicated young players to get started on the coaching path.
As the entry point to the Coach Accreditation Framework 2.0, this qualification invites judoka aged 15 and above, graded to at least senior green, to become accredited as an Assistant Coach. Unlike more advanced levels, it can be completed online with practical elements undertaken within your home club, supervised by your CAF-accredited Club Coach. Details.
The aim is to encourage clubs to upskill more promising young judoka to assist in classes and act as role models for younger students. Not only does this inspire younger students to continue their judo journey, it also offers an incentive for young coaches to stay committed to judo.
The Assistant Coach course relies on the knowledge and backing of a CAF-registered Sensei Coach or Senior Coach who is able to verify knowledge across key areas required of the young coach.
For Neel Beyers, who runs ten-year-old club Yarra Judo in Melbourne’s north-east, upskilling young coaches has become an important strategy that allows him to welcome more young players as well as keep his teenage members engaged in Judo.
Among his long-time students are Sensei Coaches Avalon Anskey, 20, Carstens Beyers, 19, Ash White, 18; and Assistant Coach Lennox Lee, 15. Neel also has two upcoming Assistant Coaches: Nieva Garcia-Hernandez, 15, and Joshua Gallacher-Niblett, 14.
Neel explained his development process: “I invite them to work in with the younger classes and watch them carefully to see who can make a bond, who inspires them – obviously the competition players, the national team players are exciting, but also some people have that gentler manner that helps young kids feel comfortable and safe.”
Nieva Garcia-Hernandez and Joshua Gallacher-Nibblet are both working with Neel and his ages 4-6 and 6-10 class, to develop their skills as they prepare to step up.
“I just have to finish my online component and then Sensei Neel will put in the paperwork,” explains Nieva, who finds working with the smallest children particularly satisfying.
“I always looked up to the older players who became coaches and when I think how they inspired me, I wanted to offer that for someone else. Especially for little girls, who need to see that girls can do judo and love judo too!”
For Josh, it’s a different equation – helping demonstrate throws and thinking about how to explain them helps clarify his own thinking and approach to judo. While not yet 15, he will apply for assistant coach status soon after his birthday.
The real present is for Neel, who appreciates the extra help on the mat, particularly with the rambunctious younger age groups.
“Judo is about those bonds, and the more coaches we have, the more role models and helping hands we can offer to help kids enjoy their judo,” he says.
Judo Australia’s National Participation Manager, Shane Alvisio, advises that the Assistant Coach accreditation, unlike other CAF accreditations, is designed to be held for no more than four years, with the expectation that the young person will continue in their judo journey towards Coach Judo status.
“A lot of clubs have seen a pattern where a young person’s interest in judo is kicked into higher gear by this – they take their studies further because they want to be better coaches, and that keeps them engaged in judo itself.”
In Tasmania, coach Carla Johnson of Seishin Martial Arts in North Hobart has seen proof in the development of her player, Bayley Smithurst.
Bayley, 17, recently accredited as an Assistant Coach, has spent more than 300 volunteer hours on the mat, mostly supporting children’s classes.
“Bayley possesses an intuitive understanding of how to tailor her approach to suit each child’s age, learning style or temperament. We are continuing to build and develop Bayley’s coaching skills and capacity, and she is keen and willing to learn,” Carla explained in letter supporting Bayley’s application for Assistant Coach certification.
One of Bayley’s particular strengths is adapting her teaching style to support students with disabilities, an important skillset for the development of Adaptive Judo in Australia, and ensuring people with additional needs are comfortable and feel welcome in Judo clubs.
“Bayley ensures people with disabilities feel included, capable and confident. She approaches every child with patience, empathy and encouragement, reflecting the core values of Judo, and Seishin Martial Arts.
On the New South Wales Central Coast, judoka Tehya Hill, 16, makes it clear that coaching is an option for all young, committed judoka, not simply those who are competitive players. Her path in judo has involved many years of supporting events, while not competing herself.
“I have been registered with the Kugatsu Central Coast Judo Club since I was six years old, attending the junior classes with my two older brothers, and more recently, the teenage girls’ class. Even though I am one of the more experienced judoka – training with the teenage boys and the teenage girl classes, I had never been confident enough to enter tournaments.
“I always helped out at events instead, organising and announcing the medal presentations and stuff like that. But next year there is an opportunity to help our Sensei with the junior classes and that’s really pushed me to do the online classes, work towards my Senior Green Belt, and apply for my Assistant Coach certification,” Tehya said.
Young people applying for Assistant Coach status need to submit an application form which outlines the necessary courses, show evidence of completion, and provide a letter of support from their Head Coach/coaching mentor outlining the applicant’s involvement in classes, and the coach’s approach to mentoring the candidate towards coaching. The certificate costs just $50.
Download the CAF APPLICATION FORM and set your students on the path to coaching:
