Performance Coach Pathway
Performance coaches work primarily with athletes over the age of 15 years. The main role of a successful performance coach is to support their athletes to achieve their best results at state and/or national-level competitions in the U15, U16, U17, U18, U20 and/or Open age categories.
Performance coaches may work in Affiliated Athletics clubs, Secondary schools, or in private coaching businesses.
The following progression is the recommended education pathway for performance coaches looking to develop their skills and knoweldge to specialise working with athletes at this level.
Core Accreditation Courses
Level 3 Performance Coach Accreditation Course (Find a Course Here)
- Anatomy and Biomechanics
- Athlete Wellbeing, Prehabilitation, and Sport Safety
- Loading, Adaptation, and Recovery
- Long-Term Development
- Mobility
- Nutrition, Hydration, and Energy Availability
- Planning and Periodisation
- Plyometrics, Strength, and Conditioning Training
- Skill Acquisition
- Sport Psychology
- At least one event-specific course.
Sport Integrity Australia Anti-Doping Course
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 Points
Coaching Female Athletes - 25 CPD Points
Silver Badge 250 CPD Points
Coaching Better Every Season - Quality Practice Design - 15 CPD Points
Coaching Better Every Season - Effective Competition-Day Coaching - 15 CPD Points
Athlete Testing - Performing a Physical Competency Assessment - 10 Points
Injury Prevention Strategies for Track and Field - 15 CPD Points
HLTAID009 - Provide CPR - 25 CPD Points
ASAPD - Disability Inclusion for Coaches - 10 CPD Points
Youth Athlete Engagement and Avoiding Dropout - 10 CPD Points
Better Sleep for Health and Athletic Performance - 25 CPD Points
Body Image for Athlete Health - 10 CPD Points
Speed Masterclass - 15 CPD Points
Plus 50 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
Target Talent Program Education - 50 CPD Points
ASCA - Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach - 40 CPD Points
HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid - 50 CPD Points
Performing with Pressure - 5 CPD Points
Plus 15 CPD Points of Peer-Reviewed Reading (e.g. Plyometric Training for High Jump, The Development of Velocty and Acceleration in Sprints, Strength and Power for Elite Track and Field)
Plus 30 CPD Points of Event-Specific Biomechanis 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)