Where did the idea for the Coach Certification program come from?

Edited

The new education standards for coaches are a direct response to input and feedback from coaches and club leaders on surveys sent to all organizational members and our full coach email list beginning in late 2022. We learned that our organizational members struggled to find qualified and knowledgeable coaches, resulting in high levels of staff turnover.

In addition, we compared USRowing to similar organizations and learned that most of our international rowing governing body peers require both coach certification and continuing education to maintain coaching certification. Also, many U.S. NGBs, including USA Hockey, USA Swimming, and USA Gymnastics require coach certification and continuing education. Finally, programs like this are core components of long-range investments in safeguarding and sport risk reduction.

The program’s design is based on three guiding principles: 

1) the Quality Coaching Framework, developed by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) with collaboration from its National Governing Bodies. 

2) USRowing’s American Development Model (ADM), which is based on the USOPC’s foundational work.

3) USRowing’s commitment to Experience, Inclusion, and Performance.