The CSF requires a responsible adult to be present during training sessions, whether a fitness or practise session, or a coached session aimed at developing skills and techniques.
What do we need to coach?
- A first aider must be present. This may be the Coach, or a Volunteer holding an approved first aid qualification.
- The Coach must hold:
- one of the qualifications below. The CSF will recognise equivalent Coaching qualifications as below, on production of certificates.
- Welfare and safeguarding qualification.
- When coaching under 18s or vulnerable adults, a DBS check.
Is every session ‘coached’?
Adult riders from member clubs may train together for fitness or practise without a Coach when:
- there are no welfare or safeguarding issues, such as under 18 or vulnerable adult riders present.
- a first aider is present, holding an approved first aid qualification.
- a risk assessment for the location is available, and confirmed by a club member before the session.
CSF Qualifications
Session Leader
The introduction to coaching, the Session Leader course recognises your ability to safely lead a fitness or skill development session on a track or other risk-assessed location.
- risk assessment
- welfare and safeguarding
- coach-led and rider-led sessions
- library of sample sessions
The course is delivered as computer-based learning and videoconference sessions, plus delivering a session observed by a qualified coach.
Coach
The Coach course covers and expands on the Session Leader content, and develops the role further.
Coaches may observe a candidate Session Leader delivering a session, and provide feedback to the candidate and the CSF coaching team.
- design and delivery of progressive sessions; teaching advanced skills and techniques by breaking down into stages
- library of sample sessions
- observing other coaches’ sessions, constructive feedback
Equivalent courses:
- British Cycling: level 2 coach, level 2 Cycle Speedway DSU, Introduction to Coaching + Cycle Speedway, Introduction to Coaching (Multi-discipline).
- Association of British Cycle Coaches (ABCC) level 3.
Coach Tutor
CSF Coach Tutors deliver the coaching course to candidates. This role is assigned by the CSF Coaching team to ensure we have Coach Tutors available within a day’s travel time of our clubs.
Coming soon: Strength and conditioning for cyclists
Overspecialisation is a danger in sport. This coaching qualification will focus on balanced physical development for sprint cycling and cycling in general, and formalises off-the-bike exercise in a cycling environment.
Equivalent courses:
- Association of British Cycle Coaches (ABCC) level 3.
First aid qualifications
A first aid qualification must include an assessment of the following:
- The role of the First Aider
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Unconscious casualties
- Dealing with wounds and bleeding
- Small wounds, grazes and bruising, minor burns, minor scalds
- Choking
As a rule of thumb, a level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work course or similar description will cover these points. If in doubt, please contact us to review the syllabus for your course.
Face to face courses will be acknowledged for the period the certificate is valid, usually three years from issue. Remote courses (e.g. by video call) will be acknowledged as a stopgap between face to face courses; subsequent remote courses will be acknowledged for one year from issue. Computer based training alone with no assessment by an instructor is not sufficient.
Safeguarding and DBS checks
Coaches working with Under 18s or vulnerable adults will require a DBS check.
The CSF will accept a DBS check performed for a Coach by British Cycling; i.e.:
- Workforce = Child, or Child and Vulnerable Adult
- Level = Enhanced with Barred List check
- Role = Coach
The CSF will acknowledge DBS checks available via the Update Service, i.e. the tool to check an existing DBS is still current. To use this, people having a DBS check need to sign up to the Update Service before or within 28 days of their certificate being issued.