Coaching is as simple as offering advice on a subject that you feel you have expertise, and this includes the sport of diving. But if you want to coach diving, there are many items of importance that you need to be familiar with such as forming your own club team.
Diving competitions in the United States are governed and regulated by bodies that dictate rules and establish code that must be followed in order to participate. Outside of high school, collegiate, and private league competitions, the two governing bodies that offer diving meets and competitions to the general public are USA Diving and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
Each group offers memberships, both at the individual and club level. While individual memberships are required to participate, club or team memberships are not. Here are several reasons that a coach should consider when deciding whether to create and register a club or team.
Coaching Is a Business
A vast majority of coaches are involved in the profession because they love their sport and the thrill of competition. But in order to continually put in the time needed to be successful, coaching has to provide compensation just like any other business. The formation of a club team can help to create a solid foundation on which a business can become successful.
Legal Implications
One of the more important aspects of a forming a club team is the issue of liability and insurance. Divers and coaches of a club that is an official member of USA Diving or the AAU are covered by certain lines of liability and related insurance. In forming and registering a club team a coach has shown they have created and maintained a safe environment for diving.
The Team Concept
By forming a team, divers have a feeling of inclusion. This helps a diver create a sense of identity in an individual sport where many times the team aspect is lost. And when training in a sport such as diving in which the mental challenge is paramount, the support of belonging to a team can help.Competitions
In order to compete in USA Diving and AAU diving meets, a diver must be registered with each of these bodies. If they are not registered with a team, they will compete as an “unattached” competitor. Forming a club will allow your divers to compete as a team and make competitions more fun and exciting.
