Development Coach Pathway
Development coaches work primarily with athletes between the ages of 10 and 16 years. The main role of a successful development coach is to drive and maintain athlete interest in the sport, prevent teen dropout, and develop an effective technical model for each of the Track and Field events.
Development coaches may work in Little Athletics Centres, Affiliated Athletics clubs, Primary and Secondary schools, or in private coaching businesses.
The following progression is the recommended education pathway for development coaches looking to develop their skills and knoweldge to specialise working with athletes at this level.
Core Accreditation Courses
Level 2 Development Coach Accreditation Course (Find a Course Here)
- The Art of Coaching
- Principles of Training and Physiology
- Functional Movement Training
- Building a Season Plan
- Coaching Track Events (Sprints, Hurdles, Relays, Middle Distance)
- Coaching Field Events (Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump, Shot Put, Discus, Javelin)
- Coaching Out of Stadia Events (Race Walking, Cross Country, Recreational Running)
- Coaching Combined Events
- Coaching Athletes with a Disability
- STAR Athletics Program (High School Athletics Program)
Community Coaching Essential Skills
PBTR - Child Protection and Safeguarding
Further Education Pathway
Once you have obtained your core accreditation, you are able to complete additional education to obtain your Coach Badges.
Bronze: 50 CPD Points
SIlver: 250 CPD Points
Gold: 500 CPD Points
Your development pathway is completely flexible, but to help you get started we have created a suggested development pathway with relevant online and in-person education opportunities.
Bronze Badge 50 CPD Points
Coaching Better Every Season - Purpose and Core Values 15 CPD Points
Coaching Better Every Season - Building Effective Relationships 15 CPD Porints
Youth Athlete Engagement and Avoiding Dropout - 10 CPD Points
Coaching Female Athletes - 25 CPD Points
Silver Badge 250 CPD Points
Community Coaching Masterclass - How You Connect 10 CPD Points
Community Coaching Masterclass - How You Improve - 10 CPD Points
Coaching Better Every Season - Quality Practice Design - 15 CPD Points
Coaching Better Every Season - Effective Competition-Day Coaching - 15 CPD Points
ASAPD - Disability Inclusion for Coaches - 10 CPD Points
World Athletics CECS I - 50 CPD Points
NOVO Active Upskilling - 25 CPD Points
HLTAID009 - Provide CPR - 25 CPD Points
Puberty for Female Athletes - 10 Points
Athlete Testing - Performing a Physical Competency Assessment - 10 Points
Plus 30 CPD Points of Event-Specific Education Courses (e.g. Coaching the 400m, Javelin: Relaxed Explosions, Coaching High Jump: Fosbury Flop Youth Guidelines, Introduction to Coaching Race Walking etc.)
Gold Badge 500 CPD Points
Injury Prevention Strategies for Track and Field - 15 CPD Points
ASCA - Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach - 40 CPD Points
HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid - 50 CPD Points
Speed Masterclass - 15 CPD Points
Body Image for Athlete Health - 10 CPD Points
Better Sleep for Health and Athletic Performance - 25 CPD Points
Nutrition, Hydration, and Energy Availability - 15 CPD Points
Athlete Wellbeing and Mental Health - 20 CPD Points
Plus 30 CPD Points of Event-Specific Education Courses (e.g. Event-Specific Biomechanics series etc.)
Plus 40 CPD Points from face-to-face education seminars (e.g. Athletics Australia Conferences, State Athletics Coaching Masterclasses, Third Party Coach Education events etc.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to follow the structure above to be awarded with the bronze/silver/gold badge?
A: No. Your learning pathway is entirely flexible and you will be awarded with the badge as soon as you achieve the requisite number of CPD points. The example above is a general recommendation only.
Q: How much does it cost to obtain the coaching badges?
A: There is no fixed price to obtain bronze, silver, or gold badges as each coach will take their own learning pathway, based on their interests and daily training environment. Athletics Australia offers both paid and free education opportunities, and endeavour to give coaches the option of obtaining a gold badge without needing to pay for additional courses/modules.
Q: Do I need to achieve a certain level of badge to maintain my accreditation?
A: No. Badges are a recognition for coaches who have engaged in ongoing learning but are not required to maintain your Level 2 Development Coach qualifications.
To maintain your accreditation, you will need to:'
- Remain a current member of your State Athletics Association
- Hold a valid Working with Children Check or have an exemption from acquiring one in accordance the laws of your state or territory.
- Complete any mandatory reaccreditation modules (e.g. Child Protection, Anti-Doping, WWC)