Wales Joins WPBSA Accredited Coaching Course Programme

The Welsh Billiards & Snooker Association (WBSA) has joined the Accredited Coaching Course Programme operated by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).

The WPBSA Accredited Coaching Course Programme aims to further the development of snooker coaching around the world, supporting existing coaching schemes run by recognised National and Regional bodies by incorporating key elements of the WPBSA Coaching Programme. This includes the Safeguarding and Child Protection training developed by the WPBSA through its partnerships with UK Coaching and the NSPCC.

The development follows attendance on the WPBSA’s level 1 coaching course by Ric Washer, who subsequently has been appointed the national coach of the WBSA.

“Having attended the course and then developed my own junior academy I wanted to extend the WPBSA’s inclusivity approach throughout Wales,” said Washer. “I met Chris Lovell again at the 2020 Welsh Open and he outlined the new Accredited Coaching Course programme. I have since gained the full backing of our Board and we have arranged our initial course to take place online and at Redz Snooker Club in Cwmbran, the day before the start of the 2022 Welsh Open.”

Anyone wishing to take part in the initial Level 1 course can contact Ric for further information and an application form.

Chris Lovell, WPBSA Head of Coaching and Training Development said: “It is great to see how Ric has pulled this together with the Board so quickly, illustrating their commitment to kickstarting junior programmes within Wales.”

How does the WPBSA Accredited Coaching Course Programme work?

The programme supports officially recognised National Federations and Regional Bodies by accrediting their existing coaching course content delivered. The course content and delivery are then assessed by WPBSA Head of Coaching and Training Development Chris Lovell to ensure it meets the minimum WPBSA’s Level 1 coaching standards whilst leaving the flexibility for additional course content to be delivered to meet the needs of that National Federation or Regional Federation.

What if the National Federation or Regional Body doesn’t have an existing snooker coaching course?

WPBSA can support by delivering its online level 1 Coaching Course in year one with a view to training the National Federation or Regional Body Head Coach to deliver the technical aspects of the course in year two for their initial Accredited Coaching Course.

Any aspect of the course will require the UK Coaching Protecting Children module delivering online which will be provided by the WPBSA together with full training and support by the WPBSA’s Head of Coaching and Training and Development Chris Lovell.

The Accredited Coaching Course programme provides a pathway to the WPBSA’s Level 2 1st4sport Certificate in Snooker Coaching and its Level 3 Certificate in Snooker Coaching.  

Any national or regional federations who are interested in working together with the WPBSA are invited to contact Chris Lovell who will be able to provide support on programme design and training with the full resource of the WPBSA Coaching team

www.wpbsa.com