Athletics Coach – 3 Days & Assessment Day

This is the cornerstone of the proposed Coach Education Programme. The qualification will take three days to complete and requires a one day formal assessment.

Dates – NB: All coaches must be able to attend all three parts of the same course and the assessment day (£335)

Who should go on this course? (18+)

The Athletics Coach (AC) programme is designed for those who want to get involved in coaching athletes in track and field athletics. This programme advocates a multi-event approach in the development of athletes and covers the Foundation stage of athlete development.

Coaches who opt for this pathway will be expected to develop their technical knowledge and expertise across a range of events in relation to running, jumping and throwing activities; this will form the basis of a strong training and competition base regardless of the event-specific choice later in the athlete’s development.

During the programme, candidates will be asked to consider, plan for and adapt training to meet the needs of individuals who have a range of abilities, experiences and fundamental movement skills regardless of their chronological age.

The AC programme is a six month development process to becoming qualified and licensed as a UKA Athletics Coach, however, once underway, applicants have up to two years to complete all elements.

The taught part of the course is three days in duration, however, this should be viewed as part of a longer developmental process which will ultimately lead to a coach being licensed to coach unassisted.

Candidates embarking on this course must do so in the knowledge that it will require an investment in their time to complete the work necessary for success at the assessment stage. The induction process, home study, supported practice periods, planning, delivering and evaluating training and preparation for assessment all form an integral part of the programme.

Key Details

• To identify, plan for and continually evaluate the development needs of athletes
• To supervise Coaching Assistants or Athletics Leaders in the delivery of whole sessions or part of sessions
• To manage the safety and welfare of those under your supervision

When qualified and licensed, the Athletics Coach – ideally - will be operating in a team environment with a range of Athletics Leaders, Coaching Assistants and other coaches in the planning and delivery of these programmes.

UKA and the Home Country Athletics Associations promote a culture of coaching co-operation and collaboration by providing further opportunities for formal learning and coach development. The Athletics Coach programme is a formal step towards becoming licensed as a Coach, however, this is only the first step of the coach development journey.

WHO SHOULD GO ON THIS PROGRAMME?

Coaches must be 18 or over to embark on the Athletics’ Coach programme. The programme is for those working with athletes in the Foundation to Event Group Development stages and all applicants should be actively involved with groups and have access to foundation stage athletes a minimum of twice a week for a period of at least eight consecutive weeks.

Coaches will need to profile the athletes they work with in addition to their development as part of the assessment element of the programme. Candidates should have a minimum of an old UKA Level 1 award or a new Coaching Assistant award plus three months minimum practical experience of coaching after the completion of the award. Candidates without this prior experience will have applications rejected.

Dates