National Coaching Acreditation Scheme (NCAS)
Pony Club NSW has now embraced the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS). NCAS, an initiative of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), is a progressive coach education program. Coaches who are accredited through the NCAS are recognized by national and state sporting organizations and the ASC. The NCAS Pony Club system has been identified as able to provide flexible delivery, national recognition, standardised instruction, assessment and qualifications and is in line with coaching practices of over 70 other sports. Coaches will benefit through updating their knowledge regularly and it will bring all states/territories in line.
The Pony Club Association currently has two courses accredited under the NCAS which are sequential in nature.
- Preliminary - This is the entry level to the Pony Club Association NCAS system set at D/D*
- Level 1 - The pre requisite for this level is Pony Club Association NCAS Preliminary Accreditation
Both the Preliminary and Level 1 workbooks can be purchased from the Pony Club NSW Online Store here shop.pcansw.org.au. More information on the NCAS program, including coaches update sheets are available to download below.
Visit the Ausport website for NCAS Beginning Coaching General Principles.
NCAS Pony Club Mentors
Download the Mentors List below to access Pony Club NSW registered mentors. Mentors are responsible for signing the candidates Log to verify the skills and knowledge of the appropriate subject prior to assessment. The final outcome for the candidate will depend heavily on the mentor and so ZCI's have carefully chosen their mentors for this scheme.
Other Certificates
Introductory Instructors Certificate
These aim to provide a certificate at the introductory level for interested persons to become Pony Club Instructors and to provide basic instruction in riding and horsemanship and to understand the safety aspects of managing a group of riders at all levels of competence. Introductary Instructors Certificates are valid for a period of four years and must be renewed by attending a State run renewal school in line with Old System Instructors Certificates. Further information including certificate renewals are available to download below.
Instructors Certificate Renewal
These are available after the expiry of a four year term. The applicant is required to have attended a minimum of TWO full days of Instructors Schools during the preceding four years, including appropriate first aid lectures conducted by qualified persons. Discipline specific schools are allowed for the renewal of Certificates provided that they are conducted by instructors approved by the Association (but not Regional Schools). Appointment of Club Examiners are as per the handbook via your Zone Chief Instructor. No new Instructors Certificates will be issued all those wishing to become new Club Instructors must complete NCAS Assessments as per the information above. Instructors Certificate Renewal forms are available to download below.
Gear Check Certificate
Designed for Pony Club Members eighteen years and over who have an interest in helping out at Rally Days, competitions, camps etc. as gear checkers. The candidate will be required to attend at least one State run Gear Checker’s course covering the aspects under “Practical Gear Check – Guidelines” outlined in the form below.