This story is to thank clubs coaches who have invested in their education and development. The better coaches are at engaging with gymnasts, teaching them the skills of gymnastics and fostering a life long love of gymnastics, the healthier the sport is!

Over the past 8 years the coaching landscape has completely changed, and Singapore Gymnastics has been leading the way.

In 2017 two things happened.

1. based on the needs identified by Sport SG, a dedicated arm for coaches called CoachSG was launched. This created access to a new range of resources for coaches, and also raised the bar in terms of quality and compliance for coach education.
2. based on the feedback from club visits in 2017 and 2018 it was clear that the existing education framework for coaching in Singapore was cumbersome and confusing and needed to be updated

The National Registry of Coaches (NROC) was established in 2004 but it was not until CoachSG drove sports to require coaches be registered that it became commonly used. As well as this, significant changes in community standards regarding Safe Sport have added an extra load on coaches and clubs to ensure education and documentation is constantly up to date.

Singapore Gymnastics adopted these changes quickly and led most sports in Singapore. While some were still trying to develop basic coaches courses, gymnastics was already embarking on a comprehensive review and updating of their Gymnastics Coach Education Framework. This framework has been designed by experts in coaching and experts in gymnastics, from around the world, utilising the latest coaching development methods. It is important to note that old accreditation, and accreditation from other countries, generally doesn't include the latest pedagogy, focus on athlete wellbeing, and understanding of the uniqueness of Singapore's sporting ecosystem.

Over the past 8 years the number of coach accreditation courses has increased from 3 to 11 (in 2023). As well as this, in recognition that education is only the start of long term development, the infrastructure around coach development has been enhanced. By 2023 our coach development ecosystem has expanded to include 26 educational events as we also upskill mentors and learning facilitators. It has been difficult to reflect on the many success stories while working so hard to implement this framework, but this recent testimonial gives a glimpse into both the work being done and the way it is being done.

While we all work to grow the sport we love, coaches are working hard to learn the latest methods for teaching, as well as the skills to teach, to ensure young gymnasts develop a lifelong attachment to gymnastics.

As always, if you have any questions for the Community Development team please don't hesitate to contact us.