In a move that is being billed as ‘bringing motor sport in line with other major sports’, the Motor Sports Association (MSA)’s has introduced a new accredited coaching qualification, with courses available from June and the booking website already live.
The MSA Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Motorsport in both Participation and Performance has been over three years in the making and is designed to set the standard for coaching in motor sport. It was first piloted successfully in December 2013, when the first 10 Level 2 motor sport coaches qualified successfully.
The accreditation is listed on the Qualifications and Credit Framework, which sits within OFQUAL – a non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests. The awarding body is 1st4Sport, which works with the governing bodies of many other sports including football, gymnastics, rugby and tennis.
The governing body is also finalising an Introduction to Coaching Motor Sport Award, which will precede the L2 accreditation to create a coaching pathway.
“This is about raising standards across the board and instilling a coaching ethos throughout the sport,” said MSA performance director, Robert Reid. “It’s about having a recognised coaching structure, which will help to ensure that those being coached – whether driving school customers or career drivers – get the best possible coaching appropriate to their needs.”
“There’s a big difference between coaches and instructors,” added Pat Blakeney, chairman of the Association of Racing Drivers Schools (ARDS). “For anyone wanting to take coaching seriously this will be an essential tool for them to have in their toolbox.”
