The Coach Mentor Diploma Explained

MiMentor coach development mentor Sarah McQuade outlines the Coach Mentor Diploma course.

This diploma has been created by e.t.c coaching consultants and MiMentor for United Soccer Coaches.

Why was it created?

It is designed to enable those of you who either, formally or informally, officially or unofficially, are responsible for helping coaches learn and develop their knowledge and skills to become even better coaches.

Who is it for?

Whether you are a Director of Coaching, Performance Director and/ or an Academy Director this course will help you guide and support the on-going professional development of your coaches.

How is it organised and delivered?

Adopting a blended approach this course mixes live online workshops with self-directed on-line learning courses. It is structured into three Modules, with each being released upon the completion of the previous module:

Module 1: An Introduction to Mentoring:

• Learning Intent. Explore the concept of mentoring, reflect on your experiences of mentoring and consider what an effective mentor is and does and how mentoring relationships relationships are created and maintained.
• Learning Pathway. Start and complete Module 1, Lessons 1–8. Attend and fully engage in the Webinar 1.
• Learning Evidence: Complete and submit Course Workbook 1.

Module 2: Coach Profiling and Supported Practice in the Field:

• Learning Intent. Establish how to undertake Coach Profiling and Professional Development Planning exercises. Explore how to provide supported practice for coaches in the field.
• Learning Pathway. Start and complete Module 2, Lessons 9–15. Attend and fully engage in the webinar 2.
• Learning Evidence: Complete and submit Course Workbook 2.

Module 3: Reflection and Development:

• Learning Intent. Reflect on your mentoring capabilities. Undertake a profiling exercise to establish strengths and identify opportunities and create a plan for your professional development
• Learning Pathway. Start and complete Module 3, Lessons 16-18. Attend and fully engage in the webinar 3.
• Learning Evidence: Complete and submit Course Workbook 3.

How long will it take to complete?

The course is structured and delivered over a 6-week period.

What do I get at the end?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive the United Soccer Coaches Coach Mentor Diploma.

The delivery team consists of three highly experienced Coach Mentors who have delivered education across multiple sports for many years. Sarah McQuade, Linda Low and John Ackerley. 

Sarah explains: "What we've created is a programme that is designed to utilise the online learning platform that MiMentor is sharing with us.

"The course will challenge learners to think about applying some of that learning in their own context and drawing them back to consider how effectively they've done it.

"What we're doing is flipping this 'virtual classroom', so the learning comes first in the online courses, and then what we want to do is to help make sense of it."

Sarah adds: "The final module will really allow us to come back together and answer the question that everybody has at the end of every course, which is: 'it's been brilliant, but what do I do now?'.

"So we really look at how mentors can develop their own mentoring skills, but also how they can continue to develop the mentoring programmes and the mentoring relationships that they have."

If you would like to be among the next cohort on this excellent Coach Mentor Diploma Course, in collaboration with United Soccer Coaches, sign up here or contact us to find out more, of follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news...