Coaching and Officiating
Each season Scottish Student Sport works closely with Scottish sport governing bodies & our own Sports Development Groups to provide a variety of development opportunities for coaching and officiating.
Officiating
Working with partners across the sector we’re able to provide introductory officiating courses specifically designed for students. Reffin’ Brilliant, supported by sportscotland, provides students from across Scotland the opportunity to attend subsidised training courses across a range of sports.
All of our sports rely on trained officials to ensure that competition can take place – therefore becoming an official is a great way of helping more students, become more active, more often. It is also a brilliant way to develop your CV, maintain your own fitness and develop your own skill-set.
Since 2015/16 we have support over 700 students to complete an officiating course in 14 different sports. Please follow our social media channels as well as keeping in regular contact with your Sports Union/Department for details of upcoming sports.
Notes of interest from SGB’s or any other questions should be directed to our Learning & People Coordinator.
Coaching
We also provide a number of coaching opportunities throughout the year through our national squad’s programme, in which coaches and assistant coaches can lead a student team in national competition alongside appointed team managers. We also ensure we’re profiling the success of other coaches within the Scottish Student Sport network through social media and our podcast, such as our recent conversation with University of Stirling FC Performance Coach Chris Geddes, and through various case studies and best practices.
Please see a bank of resources for you to draw from:
| Coaching Information and Links | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topic | Medium | Content | Link | |
| Coaching Multi Level Groups | Video | Coaching varied skill levels by street soccer | Actify | |
| Article | 4 Step Guide to Coaching Several Abilities | 4 step guide to coaching players of different abilities (rugbycoachweekly.net) | ||
| Article | 10 ways to coach teams with varied needs. | 10 Ways to Coach Teams with a Wide-Range of Player Needs (switchingthefield.com) | ||
| Low Confidence Coaching | Article | Coaching self-confidence through sport | Coaching Self-Confidence in Sport: An Evidence Based Approach. - WG COACHING | |
| Article | Seven Steps to make an athlete more confident | 7 STRATEGIES TO HELP YOUR ATHLETE BE MORE CONFIDENT (bluestarlacrosse.com) | ||
| Article | Building Self Confidence through sport | Building Self-Confidence in Sport - BelievePerform - The UK's leading Sports Psychology Website | ||
| How to conduct a fair trial | Free PDF | A guide to good trials | A Guide to Running Good Trials and Selection Processes - Balance is Better | |
| Empathetic Coaching | Article | The power of empathy in sport | The Power of Empathy in Sports | Sport Psychology Movement Institute (gospmi.com) | |
| Article | Empathy Driven Coaching | Empathy Driven Coaching in Sports – Sarah Majid | ||
| Article | Why is Empathy your coaching super power | Why Empathy Is Your Coaching Superpower | MOJO Sports | ||
| Coaching during exams | Article | Understanding Stress in both Coaches and Students | Understanding the Stress Model - UK Coaching | |
| Article | Coaching while your stressed with exams (for those student coaches) | 10 Stress Management Techniques for Sport Coaches | Ohio University | ||
| The influence of coaching | Video | Role Models | Actify | |
| Coaching mindset | Article | Coach the athletes you have | Coach the Athletes You Have (Mindset, Personality, and Sport) (simplifaster.com) | |
| Article | Coaching Mindset | Having a Coaching Mindset | TrainingPeaks | ||
| Growth Mindset | Video | Growth Mindset | (14) Developing a Growth Mindset with Carol Dweck - YouTube | |
| Video | Growth Mindset | ‘The Power of Believing you can Improve’ | ||
| Coaching your peers | Article | The power of Coaching your Peers | The Surprising Power of Peer Coaching (hbr.org) | |
| Coaching Inclusivity | Video | The Tri Group- Coaching Sessions that work for Everyone | Actify | |
| Nutrition | Article | Nutrition and Hydration for Physical Activity | Nutrition and Hydration for Physical Activity - UK Coaching | |
| Article | Understanding the Role of the Coach in Nutrition | Understanding the Role of the Coach in Nutrition - UK Coaching | ||
| Article | Choices When Eating Out: Finding Healthy Fast Food | Choices When Eating Out: Finding ‘Healthy’ Fast Food - UK Coaching | ||
| Article | What is Food Literacy and Why is it Important? | What is Food Literacy and Why is it Important? - UK Coaching | ||
| Performance vs Participation | Articles | ITF: Document | https://www.scottishstudentsport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ITF-Principles-of-Learning-for-Adults.pdf | |
| LTA: Document | https://www.scottishstudentsport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LTA-Resources-Coaching-Adults-Guidance.docx | |||
| Book | Coaching Students In Sport | Sport Coaching Concepts: A framework for coaching practice - John Lyle, Chris Cushion - Google Books | ||
| Training with your menstrual cycle | Podcast | The not so fit couple podcast (relaxed) | The Not So Fit Couple Podcast: How to train WITH your menstrual cycle NOT against it on Apple Podcasts | |
| The Not So Fit Couple Podcast: Women are NOT Mini Men, Period Training Hacks & Stress Management with the Food Medic on Apple Podcasts | ||||
| Podcast | 28ish Days Later: BBC Radio 4: Episode 3 Endrometriosis and Episode 8 Hack it to win it | BBC Radio 4 - 28ish Days Later, Welcome to 28ish Days Later | ||
| The Science Behind Training | Video | Natasha Oceane: Science Explained Playlist (Simple to Digest) | Natacha Océane - YouTube | |
| Podcast | Huberman Lab Podcast (Complex) | Welcome to the Huberman Lab Podcast - Huberman Lab | ||
| Scottish Disability Sport | Catalog | Introduction to Inclusive Practice | Introduction to Inclusive Practice (scottishdisabilitysport.com) | |
| The Open University | Courses | Health, Sports and Psychology | Health, Sports & Psychology - All content - OpenLearn - Open University | |
| Insurance and Admin | When coaches start out on their coaching journey, it is important to look into what cover is needed to undertake coaching activities. Often your employer will cover you but you must check in advance. This must be re-checked each time you coach in a different set up and be clear if there are differences within your primary club role i.e. if you travel to a game or event with your team vs weekly training sessions. At SSS we use Gallagher Insurance and they are very helpful and knowledgeable and they may be able to assist you with any questions you have. The same set of guidelines applies to officials, you must also check with the person employing you to officiate a game if they are insuring you and if not seek your own cover, plus be clear if the cover needs to be altered for different levels or matches/ leagues. | |||
| It is important that all coaches, and officials, keep a file of all their qualifications, ensure they are kept up to date and any SGB subscriptions are paid annually, plus any coaching add-ons completed periodically. You may need to redo your first aid every few years for instance so noting down when things need to happen is necessary. Most SGCs will have an online portal where all your info is saved and reminders are sent so it is your responsibility to login periodically and ensure nothing is up for renewal and no reminders have been sent. | ||||
Opportunities
Scottish Student Golf Chair
Scottish Student Sport (SSS), the governing body for student sport in Scotland, is seeking an energetic and committed individual to act as the lead volunteer within Scottish Student Golf (SS Golf).
SSS | Media Volunteers
Enhance your CV, boost your media skills and get hands-on experience at a Scottish Student Sport Event by becoming one of our SSS Media Volunteers!
Scottish Student Boxing Vice-Chair
Scottish Student Sport (SSS), the organisation for student sport in Scotland, is seeking an energetic and committed individual to act as one of the lead volunteers within Scottish Student Boxing.
Scottish Student Rugby Development Group Member
Scottish Student Sport (SSS), the governing body for student sport in Scotland, is seeking an energetic and committed individual to act as a volunteer within Scottish Student Rugby.
A look in to the SSS Leadership Programme!
In October 2022, we launched the 2022/23 Leadership Programme, which this year consists of eight nominated enthusiastic students. Read on to learn how they’ve been getting on!
Reffin’ Brilliant | Basketball Level 1 Referee Course
The latest in this years Reffin’ Brilliant offering looks to grow the number of student referees supporting basketball competitions across the country.
Meet Our New Equality Leads
Our Equality Steering group have recruited four new volunteers onto the group. Meet our Women’s, Ethnicity, LGBTQ+ and Disability Leads here!
Festive Gathering | An Inspiring End to a Difficult Year
Inspiration, innovation and collaboration at every corner. These were some of the key themes that emerged from the SSS 2020 Festive Gathering. Over 70 members tuned into the virtual gathering and were treated to thought-provoking discussion, high-quality guest speakers and plenty of Festive Fun! Read all about it here!
COVID Highlights | SSS Tribe
In what has been a difficult year for everyone, we are focussing on the good work that has been done across the country amongst these uncertain, challenging times. We asked our members to share some of their “COVID Highlights” and moments they have been proud of this year. Here is what they came up with 💙
Webinar | The Importance of Volunteers
The next BiteSSSize Best Practice Webinar will focus on Volunteer Recruitment and Development. Find out more about our expert panel and sign-up now!