2012 Annual Report - Softball Australia

Softball Community Coaching Program
Softball Community Coaching Program
The program is not designed to promote winning or technique but rather identify and support coaches through a wellconstructed
learning framework.
The Softball Community Coaching Program (SCCP) is a
Softball Australia initiative funded through the
Australian Sports Commission to provide coaches with
the appropriate information, and coaching support to
deliver a Game Sense approach with a focus on
participation and engagement.
The SCCP aims to develop a network of capable
coaches who can deliver a variety of Softball
experiences which enhance the health and social
benefits of participants. The program is not designed to
promote winning or technique but rather identify and
support coaches through a well-constructed learning
framework.
The objective of the SCCP is to build a coaching
workforce with the appropriate skills and training to
deliver community based Softball events and programs,
such as:
• Softball Batter Up
• Indigenous Softball Program
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
• Disability Softball Program
Participants taking part in the SCCP become actively
involved in delivering activities. Each activity is then
followed by group discussion about how the activity
could be modified to make it easier or harder to suit
their particular group.
As well as the Game Sense approach, the SCCP
introduces participants to two other key elements:
• Discrete coaching
• The CHANGE IT principle
Discrete Coaching allows activities to continue where
possible, ensuring the activity remains engaging for all
participants. The coach can discretely provide tips and
continue to create an encouraging and supportive
environment, which will build individual player
confidence and self-esteem.
Coaches ask the participant questions about how they
think the games can be modified to make them easier
or harder. This can encourage participants to engage in
creative thinking and problem solving.
CHANGE IT
One of the most challenging issues for a coach is
dealing with multi-age groups and/or a wide range of
abilities while still providing fun, safe and engaging
activities. The SCCP provides coaches with a tool that
can achieve this – CHANGE IT. All activities in the
program can be made easier or harder to suit the
participant.
Softball Australia SCCP team
The SCCP team consists of:
• Trisha Bennett, Softball Australia’s National
Community Coaching Coordinator
• Brooke Wilkins (Qld), National Community Coach
for NSW and ACT
Brooke is a former Development Officer, Softball
Australia Hall of Fame member and Olympian.
• Bob Crudgington (Qld), Consultant
Bob is a former Softball Australia National Open
Women’s Head Coach, High Performance Manager
and Softball Australia Hall of Fame member.
Softball Australia thanks Brooke and Bob for their
assistance in developing quality resources to enable
delivery of the program. Thanks also to Softball
Australia National Community Coaches, Jenny Cassidy
and Joanne Paez who assist with implementing the
program.
SOFTBALL AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Page | 58