Community Coaching Essential Skills
The Community Coaching Essential Skills helps coaches create fun, safe and inclusive environments for participants.
This award-winning course has been designed to support coaches to access and complete all 7 modules anytime, anywhere, on any device.
Coaches will receive an award for completing each module and a certificate for completing the whole course.
Who this course is for:
All current and new coaches involved in community sport.
Course modules: 7 (~2.5 hours)
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Sign upLearning for a specific sport?IMPORTANTThe Community Coaching Essential skills course was updated in April 2025. The key changes included include:
Removal of the Safeguarding module. All safeguarding can now be completed via Sport Integrity Australia’s Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Induction course.
You will have the option to complete the modules in any order and as many as you wish.What you’ll learn
The new approach will reshape the sporting experience and encourage more people to play, coach and enjoy sport
Module 1:Who you coach
Engaging participants
Identify your basic roles, responsibilities and professional boundaries as a community coach
Be aware of your participants' different motivations for playing sport
Recognise what helps you create a positive and engaging sports environment for everyone.
Module 2:Where you coach
Space, equipment and facilities
Identify the space, equipment and facilities required to deliver your sessions
Understand how to use them safely and appropriately
Adapt your activities to meet any challenges that arise.
Module 3:What you coach
Session planning
Identify the key characteristics and elements of safe and effective session planning
Recognise how different coaching approaches can be used to develop fitness, technical and tactical skills
Be aware of the impact that an effective plan can have on the enjoyment and improvement of individuals and the team or group.
Module 4:How you connect
Communication
Be able to identify different types of communication that are commonly used in a community sport environment
Gain an understanding about what effective communication is and how to deliver it
Be aware of the impact effective communication has on creating safe, inclusive sporting environments.
Module 5:How you engage
Stakeholder management
Identify key stakeholders within community sport and how they can assist you
Recognise the value and importance of volunteers
Understand how to engage with key stakeholders and involve them in your coaching plans.
Module 6:How you deliver
Group management
Be aware of what effective group management involves within community sport and how to achieve it
Gain an understanding of how to ensure your practice sessions and competitive events are inclusive for all participants
Identify ways in which to encourage positive behaviour and role modelling.
Module 7:How you improve
Self-reflection and assessment
Gain an understanding of what effective self-reflection is and how to use it
Recognise why self-reflection is important for the development of your participant's sporting experience
Be aware of the importance of self-reflection as a developing coach.
More information
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has partnered with Sport Integrity Australia to incorporate important integrity content throughout the course. This content educates coaches on how to protect themselves and their participants, by helping coaches understand how to act, speak and behave in line with current community expectations.
For sport-specific training and support for coaches, please contact your national sporting organisation.
The Community Coaching Essential Skills Course has replaced the General Principles Course.
For more information about embedding the modern officiating approach in your sporting organisation, contact the ASC Coaching & Officiating Team at coaching@ausport.gov.au Related resources
Download the coaching plan template and create your own personalised coaching plan as you progress through the Essential Skills Course.
Session plan - Example(PDF • 72 kb)Who you coach - Reflective Workbook(DOC • 90.7 kb)Where you coach - Reflective Workbook(DOC • 92.2 kb)What you coach - Reflective Workbook(DOC • 92.5 kb)How you connect - Reflective Workbook(DOC • 94.9 kb)How you engage - Reflective Workbook(DOC • 124.7 kb)How you deliver - Reflective Workbook(DOC • 92.4 kb)How you improve - Reflective Workbook(DOC • 92.1 kb)
Session plan - Example (PDF • 72 kb)
Who you coach - Reflective Workbook (DOC • 90.7 kb)