Coaching Pathways
Like athletes that participate in athletics, there are a number of pathways a coach can follow in order to meet their individual needs and desires. The new Athletics Australia Coach Education Framework allows coaches to tailor their education through accredited courses designed to match the need of athletes they are coaching. The following information is provided courtesy of Athletics Australia and has been edited to reflect South Australia. Further information about specific programs in South Australia is available by contacting Athletics SA on 83543477.
Accredited Athletics Coach
The Accredited Athletics Coach is recognised by the National Coach Accreditation Scheme (NCAS), as having demonstrated their competence to coach in the sport of Track and Field, by the national body with the authority to offer coach accreditation – Athletics Australia.
The Athletics Coach has clearly defined pathways:
- For parents and others to be introduced to Little Athletics by completing the Introduction to Coaching, as a non-accredited course.
- For the entry-level coach accreditation, by completing the Level 1 Community Coach Program.
- For the Accredited Athletics Coach to pursue options for further accreditation programs.
- Targeting participants under the age of 13 years.
- Targeting participants at Club/school level, over the age of 13 years.
- Targeting participants over the age of 16 years, who are developing as performance athletes to national and international competition.
A visual representation of the entire pathway can be downloaded HERE
Little Athletics: Introduction to Coaching – ITC
The ITC is offered to parents and others who wish to assist with competition and training in Little Athletics Centres. It aims to give people with little background knowledge in athletics the ability and confidence to coach basic level athletics to children. ITC courses are not assessed and do not qualify the participant as an Accredited Athletics Coach with the National Coach Accreditation Scheme. Should an individual wish to pursue formal coach accreditation, the entry point will typically be the Level 1 Community Athletic Coach. ITC courses in South Australia are delivered by the SA Little Athletics Association.
Recognition of Current Competence & Prior Learning
As part of the National Coach Accreditation Scheme (NCAS), Athletics Australia offers Recognition of Current Competence (RCC) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at all levels of coach accreditation. Individuals who wish to be considered for RCC or RPL should visit www.athletics.com.au/coaches
Accreditation programs
Level 1 – Community Athletics Coach
The Level 1 Community Athletics Coach is the entry point for the Accredited Athletics Coach with the National Coach Accreditation Scheme. It is designed to develop:
- Practical coaching competence in the general principles of coaching: communication, group management, safety, organisation and instruction of practical activity.
- Practical coaching competence in the development of the fundamental skills of the sport: running, jumping and throwing.
- An understanding of the long-term development needs of the beginning participant.
The Level 1 Community Athletics Coach will assist Level 2 (or above) accredited coaches, within club, centre, squad and or school coaching environments. The Level 1 Community Athletics Coach is not accredited with the competence to coach without supervision from a Level 2 (or above) accredited coach.
Prior to commencing the Level 1 Community Athletics Coach, participants must have completed the ‘ASC Beginning Coaching General Principles Course’ either on-line: or with an approved State Coaching Centre or other approved provider (unless they have been granted Recognition of Current Competence for this course).
The link to the ASC Beginning Coaching General Principles Course on-line is as follows: https://learning.ausport.gov.au/jportal/Courses/tabid/62/Default.aspx
Course Descriptions
Level 1 Community Athletics Coach
This is the entry level for all Accredited Athletic Coaches. The fundamental skills of running, jumping & throwing are introduced as well as exploring how to engage athletes in long term participation and how to coach skills to beginner athletes.
This qualification is certified by the Australian Sports Commission and allows participants to be nationally accredited as a community coach which is transferable to other sports engaging in the community coach program.
Level 2 Intermediate Club Coach
The Level 2 Intermediate Club Coach Course is the next progression from Level 1 Community Athletics Coach course and further develops coaches understanding of how to coach fundamental skills and drills. This level supports coaches to understand the basic technical models for the Track & Field events held at club and school level competitions.
Level 2 Advanced Coach – Event Group Specific
Level 2 Advanced Coach gives coaches the opportunity to specialise in an event group of Sprints, Relays & Hurdles, Middle Distance, Jumps, Throws or Walks. In addition to further exploring the technical model of the event group, the basics of body weight strength & conditioning and program planning is taught.
Level 3 Specialist Advanced Coach – Event Group Specific
This course further develops the concepts introduced in level 2 advanced as well as introducing strength and conditioning in the gymnasium and nutrition.
Level 4-5
These advanced levels will give coaches a deeper understanding of their event groups as well as biomechanics & nutrition for developing high performance athletes.
Recreational Running Coach Education
Overview of the Recreational Running Coach Framework
In addition to the Track & Field Athletic Coach Accreditation framework Athletics Australia has designed coaching courses for people training runners for fun runs, half marathons, marathons and ultra marathons. This course is particularly useful for personal trainers who are looking to move into the endurance and long run training space.
Course Descriptions
Level 2 Intermediate Recreational Running Coach
This course trains coaches to develop the fundamental technical and strategic skills for runners training for 5km through to ultra-marathon events. It covers topics such as warm ups, session planning and designing training programs.
The course also develops the coach’s skills in managing groups of varied skill levels from novice through to elite.
Pre requisite for the course is the Athletics Australia Level 1 Community Coach course. RCC for Level 1 is available for qualified cert 3 or 4 personal trainers who are taking the Recreational Running Coach pathway. Those applying for RCC are required to do so at least two weeks prior to the course to allow for processing.
Level 2 Advanced Coach – Recreational Running
Level 2 Advanced further develops the concepts introduced at the intermediate course as well as introducing the areas of advanced programming, diet and nutritional guidance, running technique and injury management.
Program Delivery
Please note that in all Pathways, not all accreditation programs may be delivered by Athletics SA each year. Programs will always be subject to minimum numbers and viability.
More Information
For further information, contact Coaching and Officiating Coordinator, Kate Semiz on 8354 3477 or kate.semiz@athleticssa.com.au
