Coach Accreditation Framework

About

Athletics Australia is the accrediting body for all Track and Field coaches in Australia. All courses are approved by the Australian Sports Commission's National Coaching Accreditation Scheme. 

Athletics Australia released the Coach Education Framework in 2009. The framework has undergone several reviews and will continue to be reviewed to ensure it reflects industry best practice in coach education.

The Coach Education Framework is competency-based, and splits athletics coaching into two streams: Track and Field and Recreational Running.

For detailed information regarding the Coach Accreditation Framework, please download the Coach Accreditation Policy below:

Track and Field Coach Framework

The Track and Field coaching stream is structured in a non-sequential manner, offering a variety of entry points (Level 1 Youth Coach and Level 2 Development Coach). This flexibility enables coaches to pursue an accreditation that aligns with the age and skill level of the athletes they intend to coach.

Once a coach has completed a track and field coaching accreditation, they have the opportunity for ongoing advancement by engaging in additional education that is directly applicable to their coaching context.

Framework Summary

    • The primary objective of a Youth Coach is to utilise a games-based approach to develop fundamental movement skills (such as running, jumping, and throwing) and foster physical literacy in an encouraging environment.  

    • This accreditation is aimed at Athletes, Assistant Coaches, Little Athletics Coaches, and Primary School Teachers.

    • The Level 2 Development Coach accreditation is designed for coaches working with athletes aged 12 years and above in the Introduction to Training and Training I (General) stages of development (outlined in Athletics Australia’s Training and Competition Guidelines for Children and Adults).

    • The primary objective of a Development Coach is to teach athletes the technical model of Track and Field events and develop their biomotor abilities.

    • Development Coaches offer structured, coach-led practices designed to improve performance and prepare athletes for local, regional, and state level competitions.

    • This accreditation is aimed at Club Coaches, Secondary Teachers, Little Athletics Coaches, Private Athletics Squad Coaches, Masters Coaches, and Senior Athletes.

    • The Level 3 Performance Coach accreditation is designed for coaches interested in working with athletes aged 15+ years old, and/or want to be involved in the Training II (Specific) stage of development (outlined in Athletics Australia’s Training and Competition Guidelines for Children and Adults).

    • The primary objective of a Performance Coach is to prepare athletes for successful performances at national and international competitions. They achieve this by applying a range of skills, knowledge, and techniques, including biomechanics, loading and recovery, nutrition, plyometrics, strength and conditioning, sport psychology, and periodisation.

    • For coaches at this level, competitions become increasingly important, and there is an emphasis on helping athletes balance social, psychological, and cognitive aspects of life with training and competition. 

    • This accreditation is aimed at Senior Club Coaches, Private Athletics Squad Coaches, Specialist HPE Teachers, and Performance Support Staff.

    • Entry to the Level 4 High Performance accreditation is by application only.

    • The Level 4 High Performance Coach accreditation is designed for coaches working with high performance athletes who are targeting major international competitions.

    • The primary objective of a High Performance Coach is to prepare athletes for successful performances at international competitions. This is achieved through effective coordination of high performance support services, collaborating with athlete representatives, and implementing best-practice coaching principles for elite athletes. 

    • This accreditation is aimed at Personal Coaches to NASS supported athletes

Framework Overview

Click on each the accreditations below for more information regarding pre-requisites and course structure.

Entry Level Accreditations

Coaching athletes under 12 years of age

Coaching athletes 12 years and above

Higher Level Accreditation Pathway

Coaching National-level athletes

Coaching International-level athletes

Recreational Running

The Recreational Running coaching stream is structured in a sequential manner, with coaches needing to complete the Level 1 Recreational Running accreditation before advancing to Level 2.

Recreational Running coaches who wish to progress to coaching higher level runners with specific performance goals are eligible to then enrol directly in the Level 3 Performance Coach course within the Track and Field stream.

Please note - athletes in the Recreational Running stream are 18+ years old.

Framework Summary

    • The Level 1 Recreational Running accreditation is designed for coaches who are interested in coaching distance running.

    • Level 1 Recreational Running coaches primarily work with novice runners, aged 18 and above.

    • Coaches with this accreditation specialise in preparing athletes for events up to Half-Maraton distance.

    • The Level 2 Recreational Running accreditation is an extension of the Level 1 Recreational Running course.

    • It is designed for coaches who are interested in preparing athletes for long-distance running events up to 42 kms (Marathon).

    • Level 2 Recreational Running coaches primarily work with intermediate level runners aged 18 and above.

Pathway

Click on each of the accreditations for more information regarding pre-requisites and course structure.

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