UK Athletics recognise the need to have great coaches throughout athletics – at every level, in every event and discipline and in every part of the country. UK Athletics’ Coach Education aims to provide coaches with the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to become excellent coaches.
Coaches need to understand athletics, they need to understand learning and development and they need to understand people. Coaches must be able to apply their knowledge and understanding in a wide range of situations and constantly make decisions about what they are doing and how they are doing it. UK Athletics’ courses aim to ensure that coaches develop good knowledge across the 5 key areas: Technical and Tactical; Strength and Conditioning; Psycho-Behavioural; Movement Skills; and Lifestyle and Support, and the skills to apply that knowledge to the maximum benefit of athletes.
The 4 level programme aims to guide people along the pathway from novice to expert.
Level 1 Assistant Coach
Level 2 Coach
Level 3 Advanced Coach
Level 4 Master Coach
Assessment of Coaching Competence
Occasionally a coach who has not yet followed a UKA course of study is licensed at a particular level. This is likely to be because the person:
· Trained abroad and has qualifications from another country
· Has coaching experience and qualifications in other sport(s) and good knowledge of athletics
· Is a PE teacher with good knowledge and experience of athletics
· Has considerable experience as an athlete and has demonstrated skill and understanding in coaching others
This “Assessment of Coaching Competence” process is rigorous and always based upon an assessment of practical coaching competence. The cost of this process which covers administration and assessment is £75. If you feel that this might be suitable for you, download the form via the document at the bottom of this page and submit it to your national/regional office
