A group of like-minded coaches have come together to form the Sports Coaches Association of Singapore (SCA) with help from the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). The SCA is the first of its kind in the sporting community and its membership is open to coaches from all fields of sports – its core being those who coach for a livelihood.
A “Voice” for Sports Coaches
The Ministry of Manpower estimated that there are 183,000 locals who are independent workers not in an employer-employee relationship and this figure is set to grow as employment norms shift. Some freelancers and self-employed choose this career path in pursuit of their passion while others value the flexibility in freelancing offers. However, this independent mode of working typically results in the lack of a united voice to represent their interests.
Such is the case of sports coaches in Singapore, where many are freelancers. As individuals, their concerns are often not heard. Recognising the need for a collective voice to represent the interests of this coaching community, NTUC stepped in to provide guidance on the formation of SCA. NTUC also advised on SCA’s representation structure and the drafting of its constitution.
“Freelancers and self-employed workers experience difficulties in establishing equal footing with service buyers during contract negotiations. Unlike regular employees who can count on the law for employment protection, freelancers and self-employed usually accept the demands of service buyers as rejections might compromise their income. Unlike regular employees, they are also responsible for their own Central Provident Fund contributions, medical and accident coverage. The Labour Movement thus feels strongly that more can be done to encourage responsible buying of freelance and self-employed services, and to provide a level playing field for them,” explained Mr Ang Hin Kee, Director of NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit.
Resolving Key Concerns
Through NTUC’s initial interactions with the sports coaches, various key concerns were surfaced, with most pertaining to their livelihoods and professionalism. SCA had identified income security, continuing employability and retirement adequacy as coaches’ biggest concerns. Looking ahead, NTUC will work alongside SCA to address these bread-and-butter concerns.
A significant majority of the coaches are engaged with a few leading organisations, namely Ministry of Education and its schools, People’s Association, and various National Sport Associations. In the areas of income security and retirement adequacy, SCA plans to engage the relevant organisations to outline and adopt fair practices for responsible buying of freelance services. It is also crucial to educate coaches on the need to factor into their fees, provisions for retirement savings, medical coverage, work injury insurance, etc.
“More often than not, to buyers’ advantage, freelance coaches underbid in order to secure jobs. Coaches compromise their survivability and incur greater risks when they accept lower fees and lesser terms than what are fair. Such terms include one-sided liquidated damages which penalise coaches for no-shows, and not being compensated for last-minute cancellations by service buyers. SCA thus calls on coaches to stand firm and reject contractual terms that are detrimental to their interests”, explained Justin Teh, President of SCA Pro-tem Committee.
On continuing employability, SCA will work closely with the Labour Movement, to pull together resources that coaches can use to fund their professional development. As increasingly higher standards are demanded of coaches, partnerships with Devan Nair Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), Singapore Workforce Development Agency and Sport Singapore will be explored to expand the usages of UTAP and the SkillsFuture Credit to support profession-relevant master-classes and courses.
“We hope to give these freelance coaches available and readily accessible avenues for upgrading so that they can progress and stay relevant in their industry. Salaried or freelance, all workers should be supported in areas of job security, skills upgrading and job enhancements,” added Mr Ang Hin Kee.
Building and Expanding SCA
Going forward, NTUC will continue to provide support in SCA’s recruitment efforts, and is preparing a series of road shows to engage sports coaches starting this Sunday, 12 April 2015 at the NTUC Centre.
The collaboration with NTUC will allow SCA’s new members to be part of the Labour Movement family. Members of SCA will be offered the full suite of NTUC benefits, including workplace advice and training support. NTUC is also in talks with potential partners to provide additional benefits for SCA members.
With the long-term vision to advance the stature and value of the sports coaching profession, SCA, together with the Labour Movement look to engage stakeholders to grow and develop a community of professional, competent and ethical sports coaches.
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