PCANT Handbook
EDITION ONE 2006

Part 8: INSTRUCTION AND COACHING

Section 8.01 INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS
It is recommended that Clubs must have at least one currently qualified instructor present at each rally. This can be either a NCAS Pony Club qualified coach or an NT qualified instructor ("D" certificate or higher).
EFA instructors may be used in place of a Pony Club Instructor provided the EFA instructor is a financial member of a Northern Territory Pony Club.
If an instructor is likely to ride a horse at a rally they must be a riding member. If an instructor is not a riding member they may not mount a horse at any point.
It is strongly recommended that all instructors and coaches have a current first aid certificate.

Section 8.02 AUTHORITY OF INSTRUCTORS
Directions given to any person in attendance, by a qualified instructor at a rally must be adhered to.

Section 8.03 CLUB CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
It is recommended that all clubs have either a Chief Instructor (who must be qualified) or an Instruction Coordinator. The guidelines for a club Chief Instructor / Instruction Coordinator are:
1. to arrange the Coaching program for rallies, schools and camps
2. to keep the committee regularly informed on their activities
3. to assess new combinations for grading purposes and sign card application forms
4. to regularly assess progress and grading of riders
5. to see that all necessary facilities and properties are made available for the program planned for each rally, or advise the rally organiser (committee member) of requirements
6. to appoint the coaches for each Rally and discuss with them in advance the standard and subject to be taught from the Syllabus of Pony Club Australia
7. to convene coaches' meetings where required and see that all relevant information is circulated
8. to encourage attendance by coaches and potential coaches at all courses and conferences which are made available
9. to appoint people with specialist knowledge from outside the club to give instruction in special subjects
10. to encourage coaches, potential coaches and parents within the club by means of individual help and encouragement
11. to organise and chair panels for team selection, arrange the training of club teams
12. to advise on the preparation, training and nomination of riders for efficiency tests
13. to attend PCANT Coaching meetings
14. to assess and submit names of suitable candidates to the NT Examiners Panel for Certificate Exams
15. see that grading records (jumping, eventing certificates) are maintained for the club
16. to ensure that proficiency certificate study and examinations are held, including endorsement of candidates for exams
17. If certificate exam is being conducted at another club, liaise with coordinator to ratify candidate's inclusion
18 Submit request for Club Instructor accreditation to NT Chief Instructor

Section 8.04 PCANT EXAMINERS PANEL
To be made up of C Certificate Examiners and levels above
1. recommend and ratify to the Association the appointment of Examiners
2. to ratify exams held within the NT
3. to maintain a list of qualified examiners within the NT
4. conduct preliminary examinations for A Certificate
5. ensure that Certificate exams are conducted and ratified by PCANT
6. sign all certificates issued in the NT, with the exception of H and A certificates (all certificates are counter-signed by the Examiner)
7. Ensure the certificates gained at each club in the NT are recorded
8. send a representative from the Panel to National Examiner's meetings
9. investigate and ratify any Examiner's qualification gained outside the NT prior to them being appointed as an NT Examiner.
10. set Certificate Exams written papers and marking sheets, and revise when required
11. analyze exam results to determine and rectify any deficiencies in knowledge of candidates with regards to their preparation for the exam.

Section 8.05 PCANT INSTRUCTORS PANEL
To be made up of the Chief Instructors from each NT club
1. to give support to Club Chief Instructors
2. Chair Chief Instructors Meetings
3. have the authority to intervene when:
a. problems arise in clubs, which are considered dangerous or unsafe.
b. when the syllabus and pony club coaching principles are not being adhered to.
4. Oversee and ratify all instructional policy within the NT
5. to oversee and approve of all matters relevant to instruction in the NT, following the Syllabus of Instruction and the PCA Manual of Instruction.
6. facilitate the organization of course for coaching with a view to achieving a degree of uniformity in all aspects of teaching and examining within the NT
7. recommend to the Association the appointment of Club Instructors
8. represent the NT at Chief Instructors' committee meetings
9. to guide instructional policy throughout the NT in line with Pony Club Australia Syllabus of Instruction
10. to ensure a uniform standard of instruction throughout the NT
11. to maintain a list of qualified Pony Club Instructors within the NT
12. to investigate and ratify qualifications of new instructors to the NT
13. to assess and upgrade new or current NT instructors

Section 8.06 PCANT DISCIPLINE COACH
Objectives:
To grow each discipline within the Pony Club Movement.
To familiarise members to the benefits of disciplines within Pony Club.
To promote the discipline with all clubs in the N.T.
To travel to all centres to hold rider clinics for Pony Club
Members.
In conjunction with clinic to hold local competitions for the Pony Club membership.
To research the possibility of Judges for Pony Club competiions
To implement ongoing local training where possible.
To encourage riders to travel both Intrastate & Interstate to competitions.

Section 8.07 NT TRAINING SQUADS
Any rider may apply to join a State Training Squad by completing the relevant NT Squad Application form, endorsed by the rider's club.

Section 8.08 NT TEAM SELECTION
All riders selected for NT squads must meet individual club and PCANT squad training requirements and be considered by the selectors to be good ambassadors for the pony club movement. Riders wishing to be selected in a Northern Territory Team must hold their "C" certificate in the year of competition. The recommended minimum age for NT team selection is 14yrs. Refer to selection criteria for each discipline (see appendix).

Back to Handbook Index >>