Coaching Diploma

Coaching Diploma. A man pulls about across the beach.

The British Canoeing Awarding Body Coaching Diploma programme is targeted at coaches who wish to further develop the performance of the paddlers they coach, who are operating at the forefront of paddlesport coaching, and who have an interest in Postgraduate level study.

Coaching Diploma Overview

Length of Programme

‘Full’ programme is 2 years. ‘Bespoke’ and ‘partial’ options also available.

Previous experience

Applicants may have specialisms in one or more areas, for example:

  • Coaching paddlers in any of our competitive or non-competitive disciplines
  • Coaching paddlers in specific age groups
  • Coaching paddlers at different levels (e.g. beginner, intermediate, expert)
  • Coaching paddlers with different aspirants/motivations (e.g. participation, educational, high-performance, talent development)
  • Paddlesport Coach Education

Further Information

To find out more or to express your interest in the Coaching Diploma, please contact Karen Bagshaw through the contacts page here.

Course Documents

To view the associated documents with this course, click here.

The programme aims to support the development of coaches as visionary and knowledgeable decision makers, with exceptional skills, behaviours and the highest professional and ethical standards.

Coaches should expect that they will be able to advance their own and others development; lead cutting-edge programmes (or parts of); and make a positive impact on paddlesport performance and behaviour.

The course is an innovative programme run through a partnership between British Canoeing and the University of Stirling.

It aims to offer you an opportunity to reflect on your coaching practice; to question, share, reinforce those reflections; interact with, review, and consider academic literature to enhance your insights and to receive academic recognition.

Information for Potential Students

There are a range of options available for students interested in the Coaching Diploma. The ‘full’ programme is based over a two-year cycle and is made up of a series of distance learning modules, residential 2-day blocks, with integrated delivery and mentoring support from academic and Paddlesport Tutors. Candidates who successfully complete all these aspects achieve a Postgraduate Diploma and a British Canoeing Coaching Diploma, and also have the option to continue studies to complete an M.Sc.

Bespoke’ and ‘partial’ programmes are also on offer. Students can opt in to as many (or as few) of the distance learning modules, residential 2-day blocks, and field visits as they wish. The option of different university programmes for the Postgraduate component is also available. Some students choosing these options may be intending to complete the British Canoeing Coaching Diploma and/or achieve a Postgraduate Diploma… but this is not necessary. These options support coaches who wish to engage in the programme for personal development and aim to make the learning accessible to more coaches.

Following initial expressions of interest, through to programme start date is a collaborative time. We aim to support potential students assess the programme suitability to ensure that it is a good match for their needs and that it has potential to provide the learning opportunities being sought out.

British Canoeing is inviting coaches who may be interested joining the British Canoeing Coaching Diploma starting in May 2020, to get in touch! Please see the following documents.

British Canoeing Coaching Diploma: Expression of Interest (Online Form)