Press release - Unique Program Will Offer Certificate to Excel at Teaching Novices, Masters
Community Rowing, Inc. today announced creation of a first-of-its-kind coach education program, the Institute of Rowing Leadership, featuring a unique year-long program of instruction, learning, and experience designed to develop rowing coaches as professionals for recreational and competitive programs in the growing sport.
The new Institute will offer a groundbreaking program of education and on-the-water practice, designed to lead to an Advanced Certificate in Rowing Leadership for those who are accepted and complete the work. A limited number of U23 Coaching Internships will be offered in the summer to Institute fellows who excel, and who will work with the US Rowing U23 National Team Coaching Staff.
"Community Rowing, Inc. breaks ground in the increasingly popular sport of rowing, and the new Institute of Rowing Leadership and this weekend's seminar are just the latest examples," said Bruce Harold Smith, executive director of CRI. "They will both drive our effort to make rowing available to everyone."
The Institute will focus on best practices in the coaching of rowing, with the goals of contributing to professionalization of the sport and development of talented leaders.
The new Institute will begin its teaching program in June, following an application process for 12 full-time fellows that is open now and has a deadline of April 1, 2011. To kick off the new Institute, on Friday, Feb. 11, through Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, Community Rowing, Inc. is sponsoring the first annual "What Works Summit," a coaches' conference of workshops, panels, discussions, and speakers on the topics of rowing and rowing instruction, leadership, and organizations.
The Institute for Rowing Leadership adds a major, future-oriented dimension to the complement of programs at Community Rowing, Inc., the 26-year-old Brighton-based nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing rowing opportunities to people of all ages for recreation and fitness. "Rowing has dropped the 'elite' and is now available to anyone who wants to try it," said Smith.
To earn the Advanced Certificate in Rowing Leadership, each fellow must show a solid understanding of Coaching Methods, Sports Science, Rowing Leadership, and performance in a Coaching Practicum, or hands-on experience, both on the water and with equipment designed for rowers' training. Fellows' individual portfolios will be reviewed by members of the Institute and US Rowing staffs upon completion of their work.
Community Rowing, Inc. is a member of the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education. The Institute is a member of the Council's registry and is currently seeking accreditation for its Advanced Certificate program.
BACKGROUND ON THE INSTITUTE FOR ROWING LEADERSHIP
The Institute for Rowing Leadership was conceived and designed by professionals who have dedicated their lives to the sport and was established in collaboration with US Rowing, a nonprofit organization recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee as the national governing body for the sport.
The idea for the new Institute evolved from a weekly coaches' colloquium held at Community Rowing, Smith said. The extensive curriculum for fellows was created by the staff, particularly Matt Zatorski, Coordinator of the new Institute,
and Ethan Curran, CRI's Director of Coaching Education. Curran has coached there for 20 years and is one of the leading coaches in the country for high-school-age youth.
Zatorski rowed at Loyola Academy in Chicago when Smith coached there and then earned a degree in Great Books at Notre Dame. He earned an M.A. in Education at National-Louis University in Chicago. "There's been a big movement in the last 10-15 years to make rowing a profession unto itself and give it credibility," said Zatorski. "Rowing knowledge is so specific that there's been a shortage in coaching, even though rowing has seen a huge growth spurt."
"Just as CRI's goal is to provide rowing for everyone, we want widen the path to coaching and provide access to instruction for new and existing coaches, Zatorski said.
A total of 68 hours of required courses or coaching assistance will be taught in eight critical areas: Philosophy & Ethics, Safety & Injury Prevention, Physical Conditioning, Growth & Development, Teaching & Communication, Sports Skills & Tactics, Organization & Administration, and Evaluation.
"Coaches entered in the program will be paired up with mentor coaches who will support them," said CRI Executive Director Smith. "We are looking for people who are passionate about the sport of rowing - even if they don't have experience - and who want to pursue careers in rowing as coaches or administrators."
The Institute training will cover coaching techniques for working with athletes at all levels of the sport, including National Team, Collegiate, Junior, Masters, Adaptive, and Recreational.
The annual cost of the program for each fellow is $24,500. Financial aid or scholarship packages are available for applicants who qualify.
More information is available at Community Rowing, Inc.'s web site, www.communityrowing.org, on the Institute for Rowing Leadership, Advanced Certificate in Rowing Leadership, curriculum and courses, and application requirements; or call CRI at 617.779.8267.
MORE ON THE "WHAT WORKS SUMMIT"
The three-day conference on best practices in rowing and sculling will be held Friday, Feb. 11, through Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, at Community Rowing, Inc.'s Harry Parker Boathouse on Nonantum Road in Brighton, MA.
The conference will include keynote addresses, expert panels, and breakout discussion sessions. A group of more than 20 nationally recognized experts from a variety of rowing specialties -- Junior, Collegiate and National Team Coaches, Sports Medicine, Coaching Education, Sports Nutrition, Physiology, and Sports Psychology -- will discuss the practical applications of their research to the sport of rowing.
Featured speakers include Charley Butt, Harvard University Head Men's Lightweight Coach; Justin Moore, Syracuse University Women's Head Coach and Women's Jr. National Team Head Coach; and Declan Connolly, PhD/MS, Director of Human Performance Laboratory at University of Vermont; Dr. Kate Ackerman, Boston Children's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital; Willie Black, Director of Coaching Education for at US Rowing; Dr. Shawn Ferullo, Boston University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Bruce Harold Smith, Executive Director of Community Rowing, Inc.
Smith was coach of the Silver Medal U.S. Lightweight Men's 8+ team in 2009, and is a six-time U.S. National Team coach.
For information about the "What Works Summit," please see https://www.communityrowing.org/irl/whatworks/