This qualification provides the skills and knowledge for an individual intending to pursue a career as a coach at a regional or State/Territory level. Likely functions for someone with this qualification include observing the performance of athletes to determine the required level of instruction, and planning, conducting and evaluating individualised and team training programs. Those with this qualification would also supervise practice sessions and provide in competition assistance to athletes which, includes supporting their psychological preparation and conducting post competition analysis of both performance and strategy.
Job roles
The following is an indicative job role for this qualification.
coach
This qualification is suitable for an Australian apprenticeship pathway
Subjects
21 units must be completed:
14 core units
7 elective units, consisting of:
all the units in any one of Groups A to J
the remaining to make up the required 7 elective units from General electives; up to 3 of these remaining units may be selected from SIS10, or any current accredited course or other Training Package, and must be first packaged at AQF level 4.
In all cases selection of electives must be guided by the job outcome sought, local industry requirements and the characteristics of this qualification (as per the AQF descriptors).
The following table contains a summary of the employability skills required by the sport industry for this qualification. The employability skills facets described here are broad industry requirements that may vary depending on packaging options.
Employability Skill
Industry/enterprise requirements for this qualification include:
Communication
Communicating with athletes to determine their specific needs; liaising with volunteers and support staff; preparing accurate training and performance records or reports on competition outcomes; clarifying instructions to athletes related to drugs in sport; documenting individualised and team training programs.
Teamwork
Providing leadership to support personnel; monitoring progress and providing assistance where necessary to athletes to maintain team harmony; collaborating with officials and sport personnel to achieve agreed goals; promoting compliance with legal obligations; supporting athletes to adopt principles of sports psychology; acknowledging accountability to sport management and officials.
Problem-solving
Identifying and mitigating hazards and risks related to sport coaching; post competition analysis of performance and strategy to identify areas for improvement; dealing with athlete injury or illness; planning, strategy and resource allocation to design and deliver training and recovery programs; modifying training programs to accommodate unforeseen situations.
Initiative and enterprise
Identifying and discussing a range of activity or program enhancements to improve performance; engaging colleagues in sharing work-place knowledge; adjusting coaching techniques to differences in each athlete's individual circumstances; reflecting on own coaching practices for improvement; monitoring activities and programs for emerging risks.
Planning and organising
Collecting, analysing and recording information to provide efficient planning for sport coaching; setting work priorities and scheduling training activities to meet competition targets and deadlines; implementing selection policies; developing nutritional strategies to meet athletes needs; implementing and monitoring occupational health and safety policies.
Self-management
Understanding and complying with the legal and ethical responsibilities that apply to own role within sports coaching and operating within limits of authority; critically reviewing own strengths and weaknesses; actively seeking and reflecting on feedback on own performance; building sport coaching networks to regularly update knowledge and skills.
Learning
Identifying and accessing sources of research on sport coaching and performance enhancement; contributing to a learning environment through openly sharing knowledge and experiences; accessing internal and external professional development opportunities; updating knowledge and skills to accommodate changes in sport coaching.
Technology
Understanding and utilising the operating capability of computer systems and software for athlete development; using information technology to assist in communication and support management and planning functions.