Coaching Accreditation

Page content: Process for obtaining Level 1 qualifications : Updating accreditation : Useful documents

Accreditation implies that a coach holds qualifications which are recognised by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC). This requires the applicant to have:

• Attended appropriate training courses.
• Accumulated relevant practical experience.
• Submitted to assessment.
• Adopted the appropriate Code of Ethics.
• Submitted an application to, and been approved by, the ASC.

The successful applicant is awarded Level 1, 2 or 3 coach status for a period of 4 years. The coach receives a membership card. A fee of $22 is payable.

While the NSWFA Coaching Commission will provide administrative help for coaches to become accredited or to update their accreditation, it is up to the individual to plan and follow through on necessary prerequisite activities such as attending coaching and general principles courses, maintaining logbooks, obtaining update points, arranging assessments, completing and submitting applications etc.

Process for obtaining Level 1 qualifications

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and will ideally have some years of competitive fencing experience.

Attend annual Level 1 Coaching Course

These are run annually by the NSWFA (see Courses page of this website). They are of 3 days duration and are conducted by an accredited Level 3 Coach. Candidates must attend all days. The next course will be held on 1 June, 24 August and 14 September 2008.

The NSWFA levies a charge for conducting the course.

Attend a General Principles of Coaching Course

These are run regularly by NSW Sport & Recreation at Homebush Bay. The next course will be held at the Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen from October 26 till October 28.  This is a lecture based course with very high quality presenters.

Please note that not all General Principles of Coaching courses will be advertised on this site. In general, it is up to the candidate to find out when they are being run and arrange to attend.

Undergo an assessment with an accredited Level 3 Coach

This will have both a Written and Practical component.

The Written Assignment will be given in the form of 2 questions to be answered by the candidate.

The Practical Assignment will entail a demonstration of coaching skills in a group (40-50 minutes) and individual (10-15 minutes) lesson.

Perform a minimum of 30 hours practical coaching within 12 months of the completion of the Coaching Course

This must be under the direction of an accredited (Level 1 minimum) supervising Coach.

At least 10 hours of the practical coaching must be observed by the supervising Coach. Logbooks for all practical coaching must be maintained and endorsed by the supervising Coach.

Experience gained prior to the Coaching Course can be recognised to a maximum of 10 hours and with endorsement by a supervising Coach.

Submit application and other paperwork to the AFF National Coaching Director

The applicant must endorse the Code of Ethics and complete an Application Form. The form may be filled in by the candidate but checked for accuracy and endorsed by the Assessor(s).

They are then submitted to the NSWFA Coaching Coordinator, together with all appropriate logbooks and a fee of $22. The NSWFA Coaching Coordinator who will forward the application to the AFF.

After clearance by the National Coaching Director, the application is submitted to the ASC. The ASC can take up to 2 months to forward the accreditation to the applicant.

Updating accreditation

Initial ASC accreditation lasts for 4 years and it is necessary for coaches to meet certain requirements renew their accreditation after that time.

Basically, this requires the coach to maintain a logbook of coaching activity over the 4 year period, and to have accumulated 16 “update” points. These are obtained by either attending a Level 2 coaching course, or a number of other coaching related activities, listed on the Level 1 Update Form.

In 2008, the Australian Fencing Federation is running an Olympic Solidarity Coaching Course, which can be used towards Level 2 accreditation: see the Courses page for details.

Useful documents