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Improvements to the Athletics Coach Qualification for 2018

British Athletics, in partnership with the Home Country Athletics Federations, has completed a review of the Coach Qualifications Pathway.

As a result, and following pilot courses run last year, an improved Athletics Coach Award is being launched.

Importantly, the new Athletics Coach qualification will retain the competencies needed to deliver coaching across the seven core events which were part of the former Athletics Coach qualification.

The changes reflect the feedback from coaches that they wish to have the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge in more depth in a particular event area of the sport. Coaches, therefore, will now be able to opt for a technical day (day three) in an event group of their choice – whether Speed, Endurance, Jumps or Throws.

The revised qualification will also include content on developing movement skills that underpin running, jumping and throwing, providing an introduction to conditioning elements. Included as part of the Athletics Coach qualification will be access to the new Athletics 365 XL App.

England Athletics Head of Coach and Athlete development Martin Rush said, “These are important changes to the Athletics Coach qualification that we believe moves the qualification forwards to take account of challenges coaches face, as well as meeting the interests of coaches as they progress through the qualification pathway.

“We understand the desire of coaches to focus their coaching development in a particular area and these changes allow coaches to focus on the event groups of most interest to them while ensuring they have the broad knowledge required to support the physical preparation of their athletes and meet the challenges of coaching many events in the club environment.

“This qualification gives the coach knowledge and skills to practice in the club environment, but we strongly encourage coaches to access the opportunities available through our coach development programmes to build on this course and then to work towards the Event Group qualification.”

The cost of revised Athletics Coach qualification will be £270 for people who are part of an affiliated club or £435 for those who are not. This includes access to the new Athletics 365 XL App.

The new Athletics Coach qualification will retain the competencies needed to deliver coaching across the seven core events which were part of the former Athletics Coach qualification meaning coaches will still be given fundamental skills in delivering these.

Details of upcoming coaching courses of all levels are available on our website at www.englandathletics.org/courses.

More about the new Athletics Coach qualification

Who is eligible for the Qualification?

Coaches with a Coaching Assistant Qualification or Level 1 award are eligible for the course.

It is envisaged that from September 2018, coaches with Athletics Coach or a Level 2 and above qualification, will be eligible to apply for the Technical Event Group Day (and assessment day linked with this). Coaches opting to do this are advised to complement their Knowledge by undertaking the Movement Skills Workshops 1 and 2 (or equivalent delivered by other Home Countries).

Content of the new athletics coach qualification:

  • Technical Knowledge and practical delivery across seven core track and field events
  • Additional technical Knowledge on focus Event Group area (Day 3)
  • Factors Influencing Performance (including Fundamental Movement Skills)
  • Energy Systems and Training Principles
  • Athlete-Centred Coaching
  • The Athlete Development Model and Pathway
  • How People Learn
  • Skill Development
  • Athlete Profiling
  • Short and Medium-term Planning
  • Coaching Process Skills
  • The Role and Responsibilities of a Coach
Coaching