Coaching

The quality of coaching is one of the primary reasons why players either continue to participate in AFL or give up the game. Teaching the skills, tactics and strategies of Australian football is a rewarding experience. The coach has significantly more influence upon players than any other official or person connected with football.

All coaches need to be accredited. The first step is to find out when accreditation courses are taking place in your region and enrol. Typically new coaches start with Auskick or a junior team whilst they continue to develop their coaching philosophy and build on their coaching skills. Senior coaching positions tend to be advertised through local league website, newspapers, football records and other media.

Ideally coaches should be accredited according to the age level of the players they are coaching.

ACCREDITATION/RE-ACCREDITATION

New coaches in NSW/ACT need to complete one of the following coaching courses for 2016.

Coaching course Dates/Regions and Registering/Paying.

CLICK HERE to download the 2017 coaching course dates and regions

CLICK HERE to register and pay for a Coaching Course.

Level 1 Coaching Accreditation

There are three separate levels of accreditation for Level 1.  Junior, Youth and Senior.  Each is detailed below. To gain accreditation you must attend the relevant coaching course as well as complete a practical workbook and an online assessment component.

All course are competency based course whereby the coach must prove he/she is capable of conducting and communicating the basics of the game to players of different ages.

Coaches must be 16 years of age on completion of all Level 1 requirements to be eligible for accreditation.

All Level 1 courses cost $175, this includes all relevant training resources and four years’ coaching accreditation.

Junior – for coaches in Auskick/Junior Programs (up to Under 12) 

The philosophy of the AFL Auskick Program is to provide the opportunity to build foundation skills in primary age children for playing Australian Football which is appropriate to their needs emphasising fun and safety.

This course is designed for beginner coaches of children of primary school age. The target market includes parents, teachers, players, umpires, secondary and tertiary students.

The course is completed in two parts.

1. All coaches must complete the online junior coaching course (approx. 2 hours)
2. Attend one of the junior coaching courses (approx. 3-4 hours) and complete workbook provided at the course – see dates & regions above.

Accreditation is not finalised until all administrative requirements have been met, the certificate of completion from the online course and fully completed practical workbook have been returned to the State Coaching Development Manager.

Youth (13-17 year olds) 

The philosophy of youth football is to provide an environment, which offers the opportunity for individuals to enhance their personal development and maximise their football potential.

This will be an inclusive and supportive environment, which encourages youth players to continue their participation in the game.

This course is designed for beginner coaches of players between the age of 13 and 17 years of age generally competing in under-age competitions.

The target market includes parents, teachers, players or umpires and tertiary and senior secondary students.

This course, which runs for one full day usually from 9am-5pm, is designed to provide training for the large number of youth coaches involved in Australian Football, especially at community club level.

The course is completed in two parts.

1. All coaches must complete the Youth/Senior online coaching course (approx. 2 hours) and complete the ‘Coaches Whiteboard’ workbook provided through the online course.
2. Attend the entire coaching course in person (see dates and regions above).

Accreditation is not finalised until all administrative requirements have been met, the certificate of completion from the online course and fully completed ‘Coaches Whiteboard’ workbook have been returned to the State Coaching Development Manager.

Senior (17+) 

The level one senior coaching philosophy is creating an environment, which ensures all players can participate to their best level and enjoy their participation in a community football competition.

This course, which runs for one day from 9am – 5pm is designed for beginner coaches of players over the age 17 years of age generally competing in open-age competitions.

This course is designed to provide training for the large number of open-age coaches involved in Australian Football, especially at community club level.

The course is completed in two parts.

1. All coaches must complete the Youth/Senior online coaching course (approx. 2 hours)  and complete the ‘Coaches Whiteboard’ workbook provided through the online course.
2. Attend the entire coaching course in person (see dates and regions above).

Accreditation is not finalised until all administrative requirements have been met, the certificate of completion from the online course and fully completed ‘Coaches Whiteboard’ workbook have been returned to the State Coaching Development Manager.

Level 2 Coaching Accreditation

Coaches must have completed a Level 1 course in youth or senior coaching with a minimum 12 months’ experience prior to gaining a level 2 accreditation. Please note Level 2 courses are conducted infrequently in NSW/ACT.

Ideally for coaches involved at a higher level (rep teams, development squads, etc.). For coaches with an aptitude and genuine interest in improving their coaching skills.

The Level 2 course is a two day course with an ongoing season long workbook to complete. The course focuses on preparing a coach to plan, prepare, conduct, review and adapt a year-long program of coaching. Coaches are assessed practically at training and in a match environment.

The Level 2 coaching course costs $275, this includes all relevant training resources and four years’ coaching accreditation.

CLICK HERE to register and pay for a Coaching Course.

Level 3 Coaching Accreditation

While state governing bodies administer Level 1 and Level 2 coaching courses, Level 3 courses are run by the national body: the AFL.

The level 3 course accreditation is for coaches involved in AFL, state leagues, regional squads or other programs in the AFL Talent Pathway. Coaches working in or aspiring to this level may apply to be invited to a week-long, live in program. The course covers in greater depth those areas dealt with in Level 2 as well as relevant current issues, including technology, public relations and coaches as program managers and mentors.

Level 4 Coaching Accreditation

The Level 4 AFL Senior Coach Program commenced in March 2015 and is designed to provide a clear pathway for the development of the AFL Senior Coach, beyond the current Level 3 Accreditation.

The program has been designed specifically to:

• Enhance the coaches knowledge, skills and experiences to best prepare them for the responsibilities of the Senior Coach
• Provide a benchmark qualification for the industry
• Provide a pool of applicants who have achieved the industry qualification
• Refine a coaching pathway for aspiring Senior Coaches
• Contribute to developing world class programs for AFL footballers in a world class performance environment.

Re-Accreditation

An AFL coach accreditation is valid for 4 years from the date that the accreditation was granted.

  To maintain accreditation, coaches must demonstrate that they:

•  Continued to coach during the previous 4 years (letter from club president/referee)

•  Are prepared to complete & sign online OR paper Coach Registration Form

•  Are prepared to complete & sign online or paper AFL Coaches’ Code of Conduct

•  Make payment of $75 to cover administration costs and membership of the Coaches Association for a further four years

Level 2 coaches must also provide further evidence of coach development/mentoring (outlined below), to maintain accreditation.

Please read below for information on how to apply for reaccreditation without the need to attend another course (unless accreditation has been expired for more than 12 months).

For Level 1 & Level 2 Coaches, there are 2 options to reaccredit.

Option 1: Online – Click here to initiate online reaccreditation process

For LEVEL 1 Coaches:

The process is as follows:

• Click on the above link
• Enter Username & Password provided when you registered for your initial course. Request again if forgotten through 2nd option on same page
• Click on Region NSW-AFLNSW only (contact anthony.stuart@aflnswact.com.au if NSW-AFLNSW not available)
• Complete personal details
• Tick Level 1 Reaccreditation
• Tick Code of Conduct T & C
• Complete payment via credit card
• Email receipt of payment AND club letterhead, signed by club official as evidence of previous 4 years coaching to anthony.stuart@aflnswact.com.au
• Take receipt to club for reimbursement, if that is your arrangement

For LEVEL 2 Coaches:

Same process as above, with the following exceptions/additions:

• Tick Level 2 Reaccreditation
• Also include evidence of the following when sending in receipt AND club letterhead –
  • Courses undertaken, whether football specific or generic
  • Presentations made as part of other coaching courses
  • Articles written or submitted on coaching topics
  • Working within a Coach Coordinator role throughout the four-year period
  • Mentoring other coaches
  • Any other evidence of coach development/improvement

Option 2: Paper Version

• Complete and sign the AFL NSW/ACT Code of Conduct – Download a copy of the AFL NSW/ACT Coaching Code of Conduct.
• Complete and sign the AFL NSW/ACT Registration – Download a copy of the AFL NSW/ACT Coach Registration Page.
• Include club letterhead (signed by club official) of previous 4 years coaching experience. Level 2 coaches are also to include further evidence of coaching development (as per above)
• Include cheque or money order for $75
• Post to all required information to:

State Coaching Manager
AFL NSW/ACT
PO Box 333
Strawberry Hills   NSW   2021

RESOURCES

AFL NSW/ACT has recently updated their list of available coaching resources for you to purchase to ensure you are the most well equipped coach in your region.

The resources available include Skills and Drills, Coaching DVDs, Coaching Manuals, and even our very own AFL NSW/ACT Magnetic Coaching Boards! To order your coaching resources PLEASE CLICK HERE and fill out the form.

For more information please contact Anthony Stuart on 02 8333 8050 or anthony.stuart@aflnswact.com.au

AFL COACHES ASSOCIATION

The AFL NSW/ACT Coaching Association is a body representing Australian Football coaches based in NSW and the ACT. The Association should be an opportunity for Australian Football coaches to share information and develop communication networks. Members will be entitled to participate in a range of activities including special forums, presentations, clinics, and conventions. Members will also have access to the latest in coaching information, mentoring services and a range of educational resources.

On completion of an AFL coaching course, coaches will be recognised through registration on the AFL national coaching database and automatically become a member of the Australian Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

The essential role of the AFL NSW/ACT Coaches Association is to enhance the coaching standards and capabilities of its members, all accredited coaches. It will also play a key role in developing the strength and continued development of the football environment across NSW and the ACT.

Benefits for Coach Association Members:

– Annual Coach of the Year Awards and coach recognition programs
– Local Coaching Newsletters
– Distribution of ‘Coaching Update’
– Regional Coach Association Events