If Newcastle’s Craig Findley has his way, anyone who has any involvement with kids and sport will get to know about the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC’s) online coaching course.

The 34-year-old student teacher figures he has ‘pretty much told everyone’ he knows about the value of the course and he sees it as a good opportunity, particularly for education students such as himself who are looking for a practical course with a commonsense approach.

Findley first discovered the course while working on the practical section of his teaching studies at St Therese’s Primary School, New Lambton. He was working there on a Sudanese Refugee Literacy program when the school’s principal approached him about the course.
‘It was really accessible, with clearly structured practical information followed by multiple choice questions and immediate feedback,’ he said. ‘The course is perfect for anyone with an interest in becoming involved in community-based sports, as it contains the support material for me or anyone to feel confident in implementing physical activity with kids.

‘I suppose the best thing about it was that I could do it online and flexibly. I could even do part of it, then press save and come back to it later, so it was something that I could combine with my studies without [the course] being a long-term commitment.’

The web-based course normally takes around six hours to complete. Findley finished it in around three hours. ‘It really was the perfect exam. It was multiple choice and relatively straightforward, with easy-to-read practical questions and an organised structure.’
Findley is applying what he learnt through the Active After-school Communities program, also run by the ASC. He now delivers activities two afternoons a week, with a focus on improving basic skills and keeping children fit in a fun environment.

‘This type of thing really benefits from community involvement and we need to get more volunteers involved. It’s also a good opportunity, particularly for students like me, because it is part time, flexible, and fills a purpose for the kids in that it improves sports skills in a fun, social atmosphere where there is less pressure to perform.’