The programme targets women with at least a Level 1 coaching qualification providing them with tailored coach education and support packages to progress their qualifications. We caught up with Claire Masterton, one of the coaches on the Women in Coaching programme, to see how she had benefit from the support of the programme:
Name: Claire Masterton
Age: 19 years old
Occupation: Gymnastics Coach
How did you get into coaching?
I used to be a gymnast myself and my coach asked me when I was 14 or 15 years old if I would like to coach but I wasn't interested in it at all, I wanted to keep doing my gymnastics. Then when I was about 16 years old I started to help coach and really started to enjoy it. I then started to coach one day a week and that increased more and more. As I started to go up the levels in my coaching, the more hours I coached.
Work with Women in Coaching mentor:
Access to a mentor was very beneficial as it made me organised and motivated. She used to work near to where I live so it was great having her close by and easy to meet up and discuss my plans and progress.
Coaching achievements:
- Level 2 & 3 Womens Artistic
- Pre-school level 1
Additional coaching CPD:
- Child protection
- First aid
- Choreography Conference
- Strength & Conditioning course (Scottish Gymnastics)
- Scottish Gymnastics Conference in Largs
- Scottish Gymnastics Pre-School Conference
Coaching involvment:
- Involved in Edinburgh Leisure Gymnastics recreation and talent development sessions.
- Volunteered to coach at Lasswade Gymnastics Academy for high performance gymnastics training.
- Lead Coach for 5 private and state primary and secondary schools in Edinburgh, and assistant coach at a local primary school.
- Progressing towards lead coach at City of Edinburgh Gymnastics Club.
Gymnasts performances:
- Achieved development goal with retaining Lothian and Scottish Schools Championships with one of the primary schools.
- Conquered leading school team by beating them in the level 3 competition.
- 4 teams achieved sliver/bronze medals at Lothian Schools heats.
- 2 gymnasts selected for G5 Squad (the top gymnasts from Edinburgh clubs)
Main achievements
- Taken the initiative to coach high performance gymnasts and working with City of Edinburgh Clubs and Edinburgh Leisure in talent development.