New Assistant Coach and Sessional Coach qualifications coming soon
The new Assistant Coach and Sessional Coach qualifications are coming soon as part of England Athletics' refreshed coaching pathway.
Developed in response to feedback from coaches and clubs through the Coaching Review, the new pathway has been designed to create clearer and more accessible routes into coaching, while helping clubs build capacity within their coaching workforce.
As part of this transition, the current Leading Athletics and Coaching Assistant qualifications will cease delivery and be replaced by the new Assistant Coach and Sessional Coach qualifications.
Assistant Coach
Designed as an entry point into coaching, this qualification supports those who are new to coaching and want to develop their knowledge, confidence and leadership skills while assisting qualified coaches in delivering athletics activity.
Sessional Coach
Designed for those looking to take their next step in coaching, this qualification will equip you with the skills, knowledge and confidence to deliver structured athletics sessions across running, jumping and throwing. Whether you’re new to coaching or progressing from the Assistant Coach qualification, Sessional Coach provides a practical and supportive route to developing your coaching experience.
On completion, you will be able to deliver prescribed activities and sessions through structured programmes, activity cards and coach-provided session plans, while continuing to develop your experience within a supportive coaching environment.
More about Assistant Coach
Who is it for?
- Those who are new to coaching, including parents, helpers and volunteers.
- Those who want to support qualified coaches delivering training activities in their club or community.
- Those who enjoy working with developing athletes across different events and age groups.
Format
- Self-guided online learning.
- Flexible learning to fit around your commitments.
What you’ll learn
You’ll be introduced to the roles and responsibilities of coaching, as well as how to coach, not just what to coach.
You will cover:
- Roles and responsibilities.
- Engagement and relationship building.
- The coaching process.
- Fundamentals of movement and technique.
More about Sessional Coach
Who is it for?
- Those who are new to coaching or hold an Assistant Coach qualification.
- Those who want to deliver prescribed training activities in your club or community.
- Those who enjoy working with developing athletes across different events and age groups.
Format
- Self-guided online learning.
- One in-person practical day.
- Flexible learning to fit around your commitments.
What you’ll learn
The qualification combines online learning with practical application, helping you build confidence in both the principles and practice of coaching.
You will cover:
- Roles and responsibilities.
- Engagements and relationship building.
- The coaching process.
- Fundamentals of movement and technique.
- Behaviour management.
- Performance factors and energy systems.
- Risk awareness.
Course costs
The qualifications are available at the following rates:
Assistant coach:
- £75
Sessional coach
- £237.50 affiliated rate
- £322.50 non-affiliated rate
The affiliated rate is available to those who are part of an England Athletics affiliated club, while the non-affiliated rate is available to all other individuals.
Progression and Bridging Costs
- Assistant Coaches can progress to Sessional Coach for £162.50
- Existing Coaching Assistants can complete the dedicated bridging module for £37.50 to transition into the new coaching pathway
Coaches who took part in the Sessional Coach pilot highlighted the impact of the practical day and the confidence it gave them to apply their learning in club environments.
“The practical day was excellent and brought the online content to life. We feel really confident, following the practical day, to go back to our club and apply what we have learnt.
This week we took the big step to do mini games, and other things we learnt on the course, and put in to practice. The athletes’ faces and smiles were priceless.”
A new step in the coaching pathway
Available to those aged 18 and over, the Sessional Coach qualification forms part of a new two-stage entry route into coaching, alongside the new Assistant Coach qualification. Together, these qualifications are designed to help more people get involved in coaching, support activity safely and effectively, and build confidence as they progress along the coaching pathway.
The new, redesigned Assistant Coach qualification is available from age 14+ and provides an accessible introduction to coaching. It is designed for those looking to support coaching activity within clubs, schools and community settings, developing core knowledge and skills before progressing further along the pathway.
For those aged 18+, there are now two routes into coaching. Coaches can begin with the Assistant Coach qualification before progressing to Sessional Coach, or they can enter directly through the Sessional Coach qualification.
If you currently hold the Coaching Assistant qualification, there is no need to requalify. A dedicated bridging module, available for £37.50, will be available when the new courses launch, enabling you to transition seamlessly into the Sessional Coach role and continue your development within the new coaching pathway.
Why are these being introduced?
The introduction of the Sessional Coach qualification responds directly to feedback from clubs, who told us they need more people able to support and deliver athletics activity with greater confidence and independence. By creating a clearer progression route and enabling coaches to deliver prescribed sessions through structured programmes, the new pathway helps clubs grow and strengthen their coaching workforce.
We’re putting the finishing touches to the new Assistant Coach and Sessional Coach qualifications, and more information will be available soon! The new qualifications will launch in England from September 2026, with the other Home Countries expected to begin introducing the qualifications from 2027 onwards.