Coaches College 2010?

[keith]

I just poked through some old records I have. The first budget report I found from that time period includes 2006-2007 figures. In 2006-2007 Coaches College was budgeted to have $45,000 revenue and $42,000 expenses. The program has been and continues to be self-funding.

The important part of AaronK's post is the statement that the money was fronted - depending on the method of budget record keeping that 'loan' may or may not have been listed in the budget as a USFA outlay. Since I assume the cost of booking the space is probably not insignificant I would be disapointed if the USFA's attitude was that the organisers should be taking the financial risk themselves. Which I suspect from AaronK's post may be the case this year?

[oiuyt]

What is the cause?

A good topic for one or more separate threads.

I don't have a definitive answer to your question. That the level of funding has remained relatively constant before and after the financial crisis indicates that the current situation is not the cause of the lack of support.

-B

[oiuyt]

I received an email from Elizabeth saying that the registration numbers fell short of those required to run the program and that it will, unfortunately, have to be canceled for this summer. This is very disappointing.

-B

[Allen Evans]

Not just disappointing, but also disturbing. It was my hope that the increase in the number of fencers and clubs across the country would be met by the USFA with more reasources to make the Coaches College Program stronger (such as filling in the Olympic year gap when we can't get access to the OTC). Instead, this program seems to be struggling with meeting even the basic needs of new coaches

A

[MdA]

United States Fencing Coaches Association
2010 National Coaches Conference &
Annual General Meeting
July 30 - August 1, 2010
Hosted by Louisville Fencing Center
Louisville, Kentucky

[noodle]

terrible. and its a vicious cycle, too. this year's fell short because it was pulled together last minute and not really advertised much.

if the system is treated as an afterthought, why would potential participants treat it as anything more than an afterthought, itself?

[Allen Evans]

United States Fencing Coaches Association
2010 National Coaches Conference &
Annual General Meeting
July 30 - August 1, 2010
Hosted by Louisville Fencing Center
Louisville, Kentucky

MdA, as much as the USFCA has improved the AGM the last few years (I understand the one held last year was particularly informative) it does not take the place of a week of intensive, involved, practical coaching under a good coach. There is a big difference between a two hour presentation on foil, and 8-10 hours a day of giving lessons and having corrections made to those lessons.

This intensive process is something that US Coaches need and few have access to on a regular basis. Time (and money) for a trip to the US OTC might be out of reach of some, but the program has started a lot of good journeyman coaches (like me) on their careers. I think it's something that US Fencing needs, and needs more of. Even on my optimistic days, I think the USFCA is ten to fifteen years from putting something like this together.

There is also an option to train with the AAI in Germany, but it does mean traveling considerably farther than Co. Springs.

A

[MdA]

MdA, as much as the USFCA has improved the AGM the last few years (I understand the one held last year was particularly informative) it does not take the place of a week of intensive, involved, practical coaching under a good coach. A

Allen, I agree it does not take the place of CC. I merely post this as a reminder that this may be the only option for American fencing coaches this summer. The Annual General Meeting also provides oportunities for coaches to voice their concerns.....thru an organization that is dedicated to the development and well-being of fencing coaches.

[MdA]

..... I think it's (CC) something that US Fencing needs, and needs more of. Even on my optimistic days, I think the USFCA is ten to fifteen years from putting something like this together.
A

Since USOC and USFA support for the CC is decreasing....What about merging the CC intact with the USFCA? The USFCA could probably support the transition…financially…. and as Brad pointed out, the CC has paid for itself over the last few years.

[Rock]

Does the USOC no longer require NGBs to have their own coach training programs?

[MdA]

Does the USOC no longer require NGBs to have their own coach training programs?

When I was on the USFA Coaching Committee 2000-2004, there was a USOC requirement for NGBs to have a coaching development program. I don't know about the last six years.

[MdA]

The USOC Coaching Education Department is committed to supporting NGBs by providing cutting-edge information and training opportunities to contribute expertise necessary to direct Team USA athletes to national and international success. The Coaching Education Department has three main focuses:


Assist NGBs in the development of Coaching Education programs and materials
Provide educational opportunities for elite level coaches with an emphasis on preparation for the Olympic Games
Recognize the importance of America's best coaches

[Downtown]

In looking at the USFA web site and seeing that Coaches College is canceled, I was struck by the caption, "
Canceled due to lack of interest" That was not only a hell of a way to put it, I dare say it was less than accurate.

[MdA]

In looking at the USFA web site and seeing that Coaches College is canceled, I was struck by the caption, "
Canceled due to lack of interest" That was not only a hell of a way to put it, I dare say it was less than accurate.

Whoever posted that should be fired.....trying to blame coaches for the failure of this program.

[Allen Evans]

It's a very unfortunate choice of words. The announcement should have been worded to reflect the fact that the USFA and USOC let down the developing coaches, and not the other way around.

[catwood1]

Ef this, I'm playing badminton!

[qatet]

It does rather hang us coaches out to dry, but if the USFA wants to maintain a good relationship with the USOC and OTC, it's probably a better idea for them to speak nicely about those organizations.

I was particularly surprised, I must say, to see that the posting on the USFA website implies wanting to continue to host the program at the OTC. They have had a wretched relationship with them for the last several years, but don't seem to be making any other plans. Fail.

I currently have the time and money, and I still need to do sabre 1, so I was willing to pay the higher fee, even though holding only level 1 classes meant that the overall environment would be less valuable (fewer high level coaches to interact with, etc.). It felt like a leap of faith, but I was willing to spend the extra money to help get thr program jumpstarted again. Very frustrating that the program wasn't also able to take a bit of a hit in order to regain momentum. (Unless... maybe I was the only one who signed up?) As it is... Maybe they host it again next year... but then they skip the following year because of the Olympics? This quad has truly killed CC's momentum.

[Downtown]

In looking at the USFA web site and seeing that Coaches College is canceled, I was struck by the caption, "
Canceled due to lack of interest" That was not only a hell of a way to put it, I dare say it was less than accurate.

I wrote the USFA about this. They agreed it was poor choice of words. They are changing it.

[MdA]

When you look at the financial report from last year, and the financial report just posted for this year, it appears that about $13K in expenses actually carried over to this year from last year's 2009 Coaches College.

So, if you take the time to figure it out....last year's abbreviated CC actually lost $10K. See this