About the ABCC
Introduction
The Association of British Cycling Coaches is an independent organisation formed to provide an education system and a communication structure for those interested in coaching cyclists. The Executive Officers of the Association include the Chairperson, the Administrator, the Treasurer and the Editor of “The Journal of Cycle Coaching”. The Executive Committee is comprised of the Officers, elected by ABCC Coaches at the Annual Conference. In addition, other (non-voting) executive members may be co-opted onto the Committee as required to support the function and activities of the Association.
For administration purposes the Association follows the Regional boundaries of the three Sports Councils in Great Britain; the Sports Council for Scotland, Sport England, and the Sports Council for Wales.
To create an organisation that provides all cyclists with access to quality coaching.
Objectives
- To develop and maintain a coach education system.
- To recruit, train and further develop coaches.
- To monitor and maintain examination standards linked to a graded award structure.
- To maintain a register of qualified coaches.
- To develop and maintain effective communications. For example:
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- to issue periodically a journal to bring to the notice of all cycling coaches the latest information, opinions regarding cycling coaching and associated topics. This journal should also contain items of interest from the proceedings of the Executive Committee.
- to organise an Annual Conference for all cycling coaches.
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To issue, monitor and update coaching materials which shall be the basis for the education, training and examination of all cycling coaches.
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To promote and support coaches in establishing and maintaining an appropriate status.
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To encourage qualified coaches to apply their experience and expertise for the benefit of cyclists.
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To obtain insurance to protect all registered cycling coaches against insurance claims which may arise during coaching activities.
1. Name
The name of the Association shall be ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH CYCLING COACHES
Which may also be known as “ABCC” and “Cycle Coaching GB”.
2. Officers
The officers of the Association shall consist of the Chairman, Administrator, Treasurer
and editor
3. Management
The management of the Association shall be vested in the Executive which shall consist of the Officers. The Administrator shall notify all members of the Executive of the date and venue of any meetings. Written reports are to be submitted every three months by members of the Executive. These reports are to be placed on the ABCC website when they have been approved.
4. Voting
Any decisions will require the agreement of 3 out of 4 members of the Executive. For decisions falling outside of the delegated authority levels of the Executive, an email ballot of the membership will be taken. A 60% majority of the votes cast shall be required to ratify any decision. The members ballot shall operate on a one member one vote basis. The remote voting system used, to be determined by the most convenient and efficient means available at the time.
5. Election
The Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. In the event of vacancies on the Executive, then the elected Executive will have the power to co-opt.
6. Membership
There shall be the following classes of membership
6.1 Full membership
6.1.1 The Chairman
6.1.2 Senior Coaches
6.1.3 Coaches
6.1.4 Coaches of other organisations whose qualifications satisfy the requirements of the ABCC
6.1.5 Leaders Awards holders
6.1.6 Fellows
6.1.7 Student coaches
Only full members shall be entitled to hold office, vote, or nominate for office at any Annual General Meeting of the Association and only if their subscriptions have been paid up to date.
Any full member may hold the office of Chairman, Treasurer or Media officer. Only a coach qualified through the ABCC course may hold the post of Administrator.
6.2 Associate membership
6.2.2 Those who subscribe to “Cycle Coaching” alone.
7. Election of new members
7.1 The Executive shall have absolute discretion in electing prospective persons as members of the Association and shall not be required to give their reasons for refusing to admit any persons to membership.
7.2 All new full members shall be qualified to the standards from time to time set by the Executive.
8. Subscriptions
The annual subscriptions for all classes of members shall be determined by the Executive and be communicated to members on the membership renewal forms. Such subscriptions shall be due from the date of obtaining membership and thereafter on that date each year. Should subscriptions not have been paid within 6 months of that date, membership will be deemed to have lapsed.
9. Annual General Meeting
9.1 The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held before the end of each calendar year. The Administrator shall give 14 days clear notice to all Members entitled to attend via direct communication or in “Cycle Coaching”.
9.2 Nominations for Officers of the Association should be forwarded to the Administrator prior to the meeting but this will not preclude the acceptance of nominations at the meeting.
9.2.1 Remote voting shall be permitted on a one member one vote basis. Remote votes to be cast prior or during the meeting using means specified on the agenda.
9.3 The following business shall be transacted:-
9.3.1 Presentation and agreement of the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting.
9.3.2 Chairman and/or Administrators report.
9.3.3 Treasurer’s report and annual accounts together with an update projection to the current year-end.
9.3.4 Election of Officers.
9.3.5 Election of any other positions.
9.3.6 Election of Auditors.
9.3.7 Resolutions to alter the Constitution and Rules.
9.3.8 Any other relevant business.
10. Special General Meeting
A Special General Meeting of the Association may be called at any time by the Executive or upon the request of 5% of Members of the Association. Only the business for which the meeting is called shall be discussed. A notice specifying the business, the time, and the place of the meeting shall be communicated to each full member at least 14 days before the date fixed for the Special General Meeting.
11. Constitution and Rules
A copy of the Constitution and Rules shall be published from time to time in “Cycle Coaching”. The Constitution and Rules may be altered at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose. At least two thirds of the vote cast is required for an alteration. Not less than 28 days notice shall be given to the Administrator of any proposed alteration.
12. Equal opportunities and equity
The Association is an equal opportunity and inclusive organisation. There shall be no discrimination or exclusion from membership on the grounds of any perceived difference such as but not limited to politics, gender, sexual orientation except as excluded under section 14, religion, race, nationality, disability or age. Members are however required to be qualified in cycle coaching to the standards from time to time set by the Executive.
13. Child Protection
The Association shall adopt the child protection policies and procedures of UK Coaching.
14. Matters not covered
The Executive shall have the power to decide any matters not covered by the Constitution and Rules and any decision shall be final.
15. Suspension and Expulsion
The Executive shall have the power to expel or suspend any member whose conduct shall be deemed to be contrary to the Code of Practice for Sports Coaches as published from time to time by UK Coaching or to the well-being of the Association. At least two thirds of the votes cast is required for the implementation of any such action.
16. Financial year
The financial year shall run from 1 July to 30 June
17. Winding-up
In the event of ABCC being wound-up any surplus funds are to be divided between cycling charities agreed at the meeting which formally winds-up the ABCC.
Fellow
A person, who in the opinion of ABCC has made a significant contribution to coaching. A fellow need not be a coach. The contribution may have been for the benefit of coaching in general or services rendered to ABCC.
Coach
- Must be aged 18 years or over.
- Must be prepared to devote a reasonable amount of time to coaching.
- Should instruct at club level, a rider or club who seeks assistance.
- Should instruct riders at foundation and participation levels.
- Should continually try to improve his/her knowledge of all coaching subjects.
The maximum time allowed for the completion of the Coach course is two years.
Senior Coach
- Should instruct riders at all levels from foundation to excellence.
- Should organise or assist in organising courses for riders and/or Coaches.
- Should instruct on courses for riders and Coaches.
- Should stimulate interest in coaching in Clubs/Divisions/Districts.
- Should continually try to improve his/her knowledge of all coaching subjects.
Coach – Distance-Learning (Correspondence) Course
Application forms may be obtained from the Coaching Administrator, to whom they should be returned on completion, together with the appropriate fee (currently £250.00). Application forms must be countersigned by the applicant’s club or Division/ District Secretary, and are accepted at any time of the year. On being accepted on the study course as a Student Coach, the student will be sent a copy of Module One of the Coaching Manual and a list of further reading material. The Coaching Manual is divided into six modules, with a question paper at the end of each one.
Syllabus
The student should read each module and any recommended reading material, and understand it before completing the question paper and returning it to the Coaching Administrator . The student will then receive the next module, and so on. On successful completion of all examination papers, prospective coaches will then be asked to create a rider programme mentored by a senior coach assigned to him/her.
To complete the course each student will also be expected to complete a practical assignment. This will be provided by the Coaching Administrator and the student will be contacted by a senior coach to mentor him/her through this assignment. A certificate is awarded to each student completing the course to the satisfaction of the Association’s Examiners.
During the period of study, the student will receive the ABCC’s Journal Cycle Coaching and any communications sent to qualified coaches.
Notes
- Students must posses an industrial-type first aid certificate before being awarded Coach status.
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The maximum time allowed for completion of the course is two years. Students who fail to complete their studies within this period will automatically be removed from the register of Student Coaches. However, the ABCC Executive Committee may consider an extension of this period if a reasonable case is made by the student.
Senior Coach
Candidates for the Senior Coach award must have a minimum of five years of active coaching as a qualified ABCC Coach before they can be considered for this award. They will also be required to fulfil a number of other requirements, details of which can be obtained from the Coaching Administrator who will supply all necessary additional information.
All qualified coaches are required to register (with the appropriate fee) each year with the Coaching Administrator who maintains a Register of Coaches. Only Coaches who register paying the higher fee level can be covered by insurance. Failure to renew annually will lead to removal from the Register of Coaches and your qualification will be deemed to have lapsed. Any former member may re-join, at the discretion of the Executive.
Any former ABCC Coach whose membership has lapsed for more than 5 years will be required to take the coaching course current at the time of application.
Changes of address should be advised to the Administrator as soon as possible.
- Data Protection. Only data sufficient to vet and process course and membership applications will be held by ABCC. All members have password protected access to their own data. If membership lapses all of a members personal data will be deleted.
Registered Coaches are insured against Civil indemnity for protection against lawsuits levelled towards individuals as well as third party risks for any accidents which may occur in the course of their coaching activities. The cover has now been increased to £10 million. The Coach must be able to show that all reasonable steps were taken to ensure the safety of riders during the coaching session. Coaches should maintain an Attendance Register /Disclaimer of all those participating in the coaching activity and in the case of Juniors and Juveniles ensure that a Parental Consent is signed. The ABCC adopts the Code of Practice for Sports Coaches as published by UK Coaching and ABCC Coaches will be expected to follow this Code.
Notes
- Unqualified student Coaches studying for ABCC Coaching Awards are not covered by ABCC insurance until they have successfully completed the full course and paid the Registration Fee.
