ITF Scotland held their first instructors course of 2016 over the weekend of 6th & 7th February, hosted by Mr. John McIlvaney at his gym in Livingston. 37 instructors from across Scotland enrolled for the course, which included a Child Protection Course, First Aid Course as well as the first module of the Instructors Course’s.
Saturday morning comprised of the child protection course, which was conducted by our child protection officer, Angela Lindie.
Ms. Lindie talked about safety issues in class, highlighting the importance of looking after all of our students while taking classes, more importantly the juniors. How to deal effectively with any issues arising and how to deal with these issues appropriately. The participants worked in teams with scenarios given to us and had to identify the correct way to respond.
The second half of the course in the afternoon was taken by Master Campins.
The course content was important for those wishing to open a school, the do’s and don’t’ s, and the correct procedure for applying to open areas. He then went on to talk more about communication between instructor and student, setting out scenarios with questions on how to deal with any problems that may arise. Those on the course were also able to discuss ideas and methodologies in training, and more specifically delivering instruction in various ways to different age groups.
On completion of Saturday’s teachings the participants were presented with their first certificate from the course, in the form of their child protection qualification.
Sunday was another early start, with the course beginning at 9am, and led firstly by Mr. Paul Mullen 1st degree, and recently appointed board member of ITF Scotland. Mr. Mullen has taken on the role of ITF Scotlands Safeguarding Officer, and as such delivered information regarding the new PVG scheme, and explaining how to make the correct application to the PVG scheme.
On to the second part of the instructors course module. This started with Master Campins directing the participants through some ideas of class procedures, warm-up routines to get the brain going, working with partners, and teaching fundamental movements in a variety of ways to engage with the age group of the classes the instructors will be teaching in their own schools. There was discussions on how to explain techniques to students, setting goals and expectations and much more. All participants actively gave their ideas to the group working together to build on their knowledge, and take new ideas back to their own schools.
During this session, the senior degrees took the opportunity to work on higher grade patterns with Master McNairn.
After a lunch break, the participants rounded off the weekends course, with the first aid course, gaining a 3 year qualification in Emergency First Aid Certification. After an intensive and enthusiastic course, the participants were presented with their certificates for Level 1 qualification.
ITF Scotland are actively working to giving our members more availability of courses throughout 2016 and beyond, this first course, was an instructors course – level 1, which is the first of four levels of qualification, that all instructors require for teaching under the banner of ITF in Scotland.
The next instructors course will take place on 12th & 13th November 2016. Please keep checking the website for information.
On behalf of ITF Scotland, I’d like to thank Master Campins and Master McNairn for delivering the course, as well as our Child protection officer; Ms Lindie for her time and delivering another insightful cp course. To the first aid trainers Martin and Ashley for taking the time to deliver an engaging course. Finally to Grand Master MacCallum for attending and completing the course alongside our other instructors and seniors.
Words; Mr. G Shaw VI Degree
Photo: Mr. J. McIlvaney VI Degree
Photo’s can be found by following this link
