Youth Coach Pathway
Youth coaches work primarily with athletes between the ages of 5 and 12 years. The main role of a successful youth coach is to create a supportive training environment that fosters a lifelong love of the sport and to develop their athletes' fundamental movement skills of running, jumping and throwing.
Youth coaches may work in Primary Schools, Little Athletics Centres, Affiliated Athletics clubs, or in private coaching businesses.
The following progression is the recommended education pathway for youth coaches looking to develop their skills and knoweldge to specialise working with junior athletes.
Core Accreditation Courses
Level 1 Youth Coach Accreditation Course (Find a Course Here)
- Principles of Coaching Beginning Athletes
- The Training Environment
- Coaching the Fundamental Movement Skills
- Coaching a Junior Athletics Program
- Session Planning
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
Reading: Warm Up Essentials 5 CPD Points
Coaching Better Every Season - Purpose and Core Values 15 CPD Points
Coaching Better Every Season - Building Effective Relationships 15 CPD Porints
Community Coaching Masterclass - How You Connect 10 CPD Points
Introduction to Coaching Athletes with a Disability 10 CPD Points
Silver Badge 250 CPD Points
Community Coaching Masterclass - How You Improve - 10 CPD Points
Coaching Better Every Season - Quality Practice Design - 15 CPD Points
Youth Athlete Engagement and Avoiding Dropout - 15 CPD Points
World Athletics CECS I - 50 CPD Points
Run Active Upskilling - 25 CPD Points
HLTAID009 - Provide CPR - 25 CPD Points
ASAPD - Disability Inclusion for Coaches - 10 CPD Points
Club Connect Program - 50 CPD Points
Reading: Track Sprint Drills - 5 CPD Points
Gold Badge 500 CPD Points
Introduction to the Musculoskeletal System - 15 CPD Points
Developing Safe and Efficient Movers - 20 CPD Points
Energy Systems and Building Fitness - 20 CPD Points
Coaching Female Athletes - 25 CPD Points
ASCA - Introduction to Strength and Conditioning - 25 CPD Points
Gymnastics Australia Level 1 - 25 CPD Points
HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid - 50 CPD Points
Plus 40 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, Coaching RaceRunning etc.)
Plus 20 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)