Level 3 Performance Coach

3

🏆 Level Up to Performance Coach Accreditation: Empower Your Coaching, Elevate Your Athletes, Achieve Excellence!
Please ensure that you are familiar with the course structure prior to registering.

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Program Overview

The Level 3 Performance Coach accreditation empowers coaches to guide athletes aged 15+ through the Training II (Specific) stage of development, as outlined in Australian Athletics’ guidelines. This program equips coaches to prepare athletes for national and international success by mastering skills in biomechanics, recovery, nutrition, plyometrics, strength and conditioning, sport psychology, and periodisation.

With a focus on competition, the program also emphasises supporting athletes to balance the demands of training with their social, psychological, and cognitive development.

You're an ideal candidate for the Level 3 Performance Coach program if you work with senior athletes aged 15+ who are targeting national-level competitions and beyond. Whether you're a Senior Club Coach, leading a private squad, a Specialist HPE Teacher, or part of a Performance Support team, this program is designed for those passionate about taking their athletes to the top. If you’re committed to helping athletes achieve their best while navigating the challenges of training, competition, and life balance, this program is your next step in coaching excellence.
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Course Structure

The Level 3 Performance Coach accreditation consists of four components, which can be completed in any order. These components are listed below.

📅 Ready to get started? Enrol in Performance Coach components via the National Course Calendar.

Level 3 Performance Coach Components
1

Performance Soft Skills Masterclass

Online via the
Athletics Learning Centre
  • Complete a Coach DISC profile
  • Attend three live, online webinars
2

Strength and Conditioning Masterclass

Face to face
  • Attend a one day, face to face course
Register here
3

Online Education Modules

Online via the
Athletics Learning Centre

Complete online modules across the following areas:

  • What it takes to win
  • Sport science principles
  • Preparation and planning
  • Strength and conditioning
  • Performance health
  • Competition skills
4

Event Specific Masterclass

Face to face
  • Attend a one day, face to face course in your chosen event group
  • Complete online modules and assessment tasks specific to that event

Available Event Groups

  • Sprints
  • Middle Distance
  • Long Distance
  • Jumps
  • Throws
  • Trail and Ultra
Register here

Frequently Asked Questions

Tap the tiles below for more detailed information about the accreditation program.

  • Event-specific masterclasses, such as the Trail and Ultra Masterclass, can be taken as standalone workshops—no need to be working towards Level 3 accreditation!

    Better yet, there are no prerequisites, so you can jump straight in and enhance your coaching skills.

  • Register in upcoming Masterclasses through the National Coach Education Calendar. 

    Note: once you have enrolled into the course, you will be given access to the online modules and assessment tasks via the Athletics Learning Centre.

  • To gain a Level 3 Performance Coach accreditation, a coach must meet the following criteria:

    - Be 18 years or older.

    - Hold one of the following accreditations:

    - Level 2 Development Coach

    - Advanced Recreational Running accreditation

  • The cost of the program is determined by the State/Territory Athletics Association, so it may vary slightly depending on your location.

    Generally, the course costs around $499, which includes masterclasses and online learning.

    For more detailed pricing information, please contact your local Athletics State Association.

  • All accreditation courses have an option for recognition of prior learning. You can find more information here.

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Expected Competencies

    • Apply the What It Takes to Win (WITTW) model to planning, gap analysis, talent identification, and performance monitoring.

    • Adapt WITTW benchmarks to guide development of both elite and sub-elite athletes.

    • Articulate and apply a clear, values-driven coaching philosophy.

    • Demonstrate self-awareness of coaching style and adapt communication for your athlete cohort.

    • Build and maintain trust-based, effective coach–athlete relationships.

    • Explain the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system and its relevance to athletic performance.

    • Apply biomechanics principles (forces, motion, levers, motor programs) to enhance efficiency and reduce injury risk.

    • Identify signs of RED-S and disordered eating, and promote safe fuelling strategies.

    • Apply evidence-based guidelines on nutrition, hydration, and supplementation to support training and competition.

    • Support athlete mindset, goal setting, and mental toughness.

    • Use appropriate coaching cues, attentional focus, and practice design to accelerate skill acquisition.

    • Apply psychological tools (imagery, self-talk, routines) to competition preparation.

    • Monitor and manage internal and external loads to optimise adaptation and reduce injury risk.

    • Apply recovery and periodisation principles to short- and long-term planning.

    • Design and implement strength, plyometric, and Olympic lifting programs suited to event demands and athlete development stage.

    • Conduct and interpret athlete strength and power testing, applying results to guide programming.

    • Apply prevention frameworks and load management strategies to maximise athlete availability.

    • Integrate musculoskeletal screening and corrective programming into training environments.

    • Coach with awareness of puberty, menstrual cycle, bone health, breast health, and contraception impacts.

    • Facilitate open, respectful communication about female-specific considerations.

    • Implement wellbeing strategies and psychological tools to support mental health and performance readiness.

    • Recognise signs of distress and mental disorders; apply referral pathways appropriately.

    • Prepare athletes physically and mentally for competition day.

    • Apply effective in-competition coaching strategies, including emotional control, communication, and reflective debriefing.

    • Support athletes during travel and overseas competition with evidence-based strategies.

    • Demonstrate technical expertise in at least one event group (sprints, hurdles, relays, middle distance, distance, jumps, throws, trail/ultra).

    • Design event-specific training sessions, blocks, and season plans with progressive load management.

    • Document and reflect on athlete development to national competition level.

    • Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and manage relationships with athletes, parents, and staff.

    • Apply reflective practice to evolve philosophy, planning, and communication strategies.

Back to Coach Accreditation Framework

Program Curriculum

The Level 3 Performance Coach Accreditation is broken into 4 sections that can be completed in ANY order.

Performance Soft-Skills Masterclass: Equips coaches with the tools to enhance their effectiveness and build stronger relationships. It covers self-awareness, reflective practices, and developing a coaching philosophy, alongside strategies for effective communication, team dynamics, and athlete relationship-building. The final module focuses on fostering a positive team culture to optimise performance and collaboration.

Online Education Modules: Comprehensive online modules that you can complete at your own pace, across six key areas:

  • Sport Science: Build a foundation in biomechanics, the musculoskeletal system, nutrition, and sport psychology to enhance athlete performance.

  • Preparation and Planning: Master loading, recovery, and periodisation to optimise training cycles.

  • Strength and Conditioning: Explore strength training principles, plyometrics, Olympic lifts, and athlete testing for power and strength.

  • Performance Health: Focus on injury prevention, sleep, athlete wellbeing, and specialised topics like coaching female athletes and bone health.

  • Competition Skills: Develop expertise in mental performance, competition readiness, and managing international competitions.

  • Event-Specific Coaching: Tailor your expertise with in-depth modules on sprints, distance running, jumps, throws, or trail and ultra events.

Strength & Conditioning Masterclass: The S&C Masterclass is a dynamic one-day workshop that equips coaches with practical tools to enhance athlete performance and recovery. This hands-on course covers the essentials of strength training, water-based conditioning, and advanced recovery methods, all tailored to the unique demands of track and field athletes.

Blending theoretical insights with practical applications, this masterclass empowers you to integrate physical development strategies into annual training plans, elevating your coaching impact and supporting your athletes' long-term success.

Event-Specific Masterclass: The Event-Specific Masterclass provides in-depth expertise tailored to your chosen discipline, from sprints and relays to jumps, throws, or middle and long-distance events. Learn advanced training techniques and strategies to guide athletes to peak performance at the highest levels of competition.

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