Athletics Coach (18+ / 5 days / £360)

The Athletics Coach programme is designed for those who want to get involved in coaching athletes in Track & Field Athletics, including track based endurance running (Middle Distance, Long Distance and Steeplechase) as well as athletes aged 8-12 years old. This programme advocates a multi-event approach in the development of athletes and covers the Foundation stage of athlete development. The Athletics Coach Technical Modules and Event Group Coach provide additional technical information to complement and expand on the concepts presented during Athletics Coach.

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 award is a twelve month development process to becoming qualified and licensed as an Athletics Coach, however, once underway, applicants have up to one year to complete all elements of the qualification from their day 1 start date.

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 pre-course tasks, supported practice periods, planning, delivering and evaluating training and preparation for assessment all form an integral part of the programme.

  • Course Name: Athletics Coach
  • Duration: 5 days (3 days course + 2 hour Safeguarding online zoom module +1 day assessment)
  • Price: £360 but additional fees may be charged if course work needs to be resubmitted
  • Focus: Track & Field, athletes between 8 and 12, performance focused training
  • Age Requirement: 18
  • Assessment: Yes
  • Pre-requisites: Coaching Assistant, UKA Level 1
  • Once qualified will I require supervision: No
  • Looking ahead what’s next: Athletics Coach Technical Modules and Event Group Coach
  • Alternatives: Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) - if you wish to coach participants aged 12+ who wish to get fit from running
  • Lunch: Not included. (We cannot guarantee that all venues have refreshment facilities so please bring lunch and a drink with you).

Who should go on the course?

Coaches must be 18 or over to embark on the Athletics’ Coach programme. The programme is for those working with all athletes but with a focus on those in the Foundation to Event Group Development stages. Ideally 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.

Candidates should have a minimum of a new Coaching Assistant award or an old UKA Level 1 award. It is strongly recommended that coaches have three months minimum practical experience of coaching after the completion of the award before commencing on the Athletics Coach programme. Candidates may progress quicker, at their own discretion, however insufficient coaching experience may have an impact in successfully completing the assessed elements of the programme.

Where can I get more information regarding this course?

Full details of this course can be found on British Athletics' uLearnAthletics.com website HERE.

If you would like to see the resources provided on this course before you attend they are also on uLearnAthletics.com HERE

Course dates and application forms

Those on the waiting list will be emailed once a new course date has been decided.

For more information on course content and how to book your spot please contact Luke Dinsmore on Luke.Dinsmore@athleticsni.org / 028 90 602707

When will the next course run?

Visit the Upcoming Courses page for further details on the next Athletics Coach courses. If you do not see a suitable date or course available, please fill out the Expression of Interest form to receive primary communications on when the next course will become available.

Is there anything else I need to do to become licensed as a Athletics Coach?

Yes. In addition to attending the Coaching Assistant course you need to apply for an Access NI check. Please download the required forms below and follow the instructions carefully.

ACCESSNI APPLICATION INFORMATION