Education and accreditation
Accreditation
Becoming a coach is an important step in ensuring that you are providing a quality service to the participants you are working with. The National Officiating Accreditation Scheme is Australia’s system of training and accrediting officials, which more than 70 sports participate in.
It is recommended all coaches become accredited though the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS). The NCAS is an initiative of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and is a progressive coach education program offering courses at various levels with over 70 sports participating. NCAS training programs include the following components:
- coaching general principles – generic principles of coaching and athletic performance that apply to all sports. Coaching general principles may be included in specific training, or they can be completed separately.
- sport-specific – skills, techniques, strategies and approaches to the particular sport
NCAS coaches receive a range of benefits, including discounts on various workshops and publications.
Contact your national or state sporting organisation for information on how to become an accredited coach.
If you have any further queries, please contact the Australian Sports Commission’s Sports Coach and Official Section on email: coaching@ausport.gov.au or telephone: 02 6214 1522.
Recognition of prior learning
People who wish to complete an accreditation through the NCAS may apply to their national sporting organisation for Recognition of Prior Learning or Current Competence (RPL/RCC). Recognition can be given for all or part of an accreditation, through a process of comparing the candidate’s skills against the required competencies of the particular accreditation program.
If you require further information, or would like to apply for RPL/RCC, contact your national or state sporting organisation.
Re-accreditation
The length of time an accreditation with the NCAS is current, is determined by the sport, for each level.
NCAS coaches are required to stay up to date, and re-accredit before the expiry of their current accreditation. The process of updating helps to ensure:
- accredited coaches are actively coaching
- coaches stay abreast of rule changes, safety requirements and technique changes in their sport
- there is an up-to-date register of active coaches in Australia.
If you would like further information about updating your accreditation, or your accreditation has expired and you wish to re-accredit, contact your National Sporting Organisation.
