This year’s Russell McVeagh New Zealand Schools’ Debating Team will be taking part in TWO World Schools Debating Championships. The first Worlds is in Dundee, Scotland, from 16 – 26 August, 2011. The second Worlds is in Cape Town, South Africa, from 17 – 27 January, 2012.
Applications are now open for the position of NZ Coach, and the position of assistant coach.
Our preference is to appoint the NZ Coach for the Worlds in both Dundee and Cape Town now. However, we will accept applications from those interested in just Dundee. We are not accepting applications from those interested in Cape Town at this stage (if the eventual coach is appointed for Dundee only, then we will obviously re-open applications for Cape Town later).
We are opening applications for the assistant coach position for Dundee only.
Please pass this email onto those who you think may be interested.
Please note that applications will close on Friday March 11 at 5pm.
NZ TEAM COACH
Role of the Coach
The role of the NZ Team Coach is to prepare the NZ team team thoroughly for the upcoming World Champs. The coach is expected to attend the tournament in his/her capacity as coach.
The coach will be expected to organise (in conjunction with the Council) training sessions for the team in advance of the tournament, and to run those sessions.
The NZ team manager will assist with organising travel etc, liaising with the teams, and other non-debating matters that arise. The team manager will also act as the key contact point between the Council and the coach.
Time Commitment
The coach will be expected to travel to Worlds with the NZ Team. In the time between the date of appointment and the tournament, the coach will be expected to make themselves available to coach the team on mutually acceptable dates for the team members and the coach.
We would prefer it if the coach could also attend the National Finals of the NZ Schools Debating Champs in Wellington from May 27 – May 30. The Council will cover transport and accommodation costs to allow the coach to attend.
Costs
The Council will meet the reasonable travel and accommodation costs for the coaches to attend training sessions, if they are not held where the coaches live.
The coaches will be expected to pay a contribution towards the travel costs of sending him or her to Worlds. This contribution has not yet been set by Council, but will be no more than $1000 NZD.
If applications are made by a pair of coaches on a co-coach basis, the Council will re-evaluate the contribution of each coach.
Appointment Process
The appointment process will be as follows:
1. Applicants need to send:
- a coaching/debating CV;
- a letter which explains why they would like the job, why they would be a good coach for the NZ team, and which comments on their strengths as a coach (applicants should feel free to provide as much info as they would like);
- the name of one person who would be happy to be contacted as an oral referee to the NZ team manager, Christopher Bishop, by Friday March 11 at 5pm on [email protected]
2. Team manager to consider applications and meet with Council to create a shortlist of applicants.
3. Oral referees of shortlisted applicants to be contacted.
4. Council may authorise a sub-committee to conduct an interview with short-listed applicants if deemed necessary.
5. Council to advise applicants of outcomes by Friday March 18.
ASSISTANT COACH
We are also looking for an assistant coach of the NZ Team for Worlds in Dundee. The position is designed for someone who may like to coach the NZ team in the future, and who would like to gain some experience and skills by learning from the NZ coach proper. The assistant coach will work with the NZ Team coach in preparing the team for Worlds in Dundee.
People who have coached or are coaching regional teams are encouraged to apply for this position.
The Council will help pay for the assistant coach to attend the NZ team training sessions in advance of Worlds in Dundee. The assistant coach is also encouraged to attend the World Champs with the team. Due to the registration restrictions in Dundee, the assistant coach will need to attend as an official New Zealand adjudicator. To this end, the Council will set aside one of New Zealand’s two judging slots at the tournament for the assistant coach.
Unfortunately, the assistant coach will have to cover their own flights to Worlds and their registration costs (480 British pounds).
Appointment Process
The appointment process will be as follows:
1. Applicants need to send:
- a coaching/debating CV;
- a letter which explains why they would like the job, why they would be a good assistant coach for the NZ team, and which comments on their strengths as a coach (applicants should feel free to provide as much info as they would like). Comments as to future coaching intentions would also be welcomed.
- the name of one person who would be happy to be contacted as an oral referee to the NZ team manager, Christopher Bishop, by Friday March 11 at 5pm on [email protected]
2. Team manager to consider applications and meet with Council to create a shortlist of applicants.
3. Oral referees of shortlisted applicants to be contacted.
4. Council may authorise a sub-committee to conduct an interview with short-listed applicants if deemed necessary.
5. Council to advise applicants of outcomes by Friday March 18
