How to use this section

This page will highlight opportunities for learning and obtaining awards for coaching:

Athletics Coach Award

The Athletics Coach (AC) programme is designed for those who want to get involved in coaching athletes in track and field athletics. This programme advocates a multi-event approach in the development of athletes and covers the Foundation stage of athlete development. 

Coaches who opt for this pathway will be expected to develop their technical knowledge and expertise across a range of events in relation to running, jumping and throwing activities; this will form the basis of a strong training and competition base regardless of the event-specific choice later in the athlete’s development.. 

During the programme, candidates will be asked to consider, plan for and adapt training to meet the needs of individuals who have a range of abilities, experiences and fundamental movement skills regardless of their chronological age.

The AC programme is a six month development process to becoming qualified and licensed as a UKA Athletics Coach, however, once underway, applicants have up to two years to complete all elements. 

The taught part of the course is three days in duration, however, this should be viewed as part of a longer developmental process which will ultimately lead to a coach being licensed to coach unassisted. 

Candidates embarking on this course must do so in the knowledge that it will require an investment in their time to complete the work necessary for success at the assessment stage. The induction process, home study, supported practice periods, planning, delivering and evaluating training and preparation for assessment all form an integral part of the programme.

More information on the Athletics Coach Award HERE.

Coach in Running Fitness Award

The Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) programme  is designed for those who want to get involved in coaching runners who take part in non track based activities e.g. road, fell, cross country or multi terrain events.

The CiRF award will provide coaches with an introduction to coaching knowledge and skills relating to running. During the programme, candidates will be asked to consider the needs of individuals who have a range of fundamental movement skills regardless of their chronological age. CiRF coaches will work with runners of all abilities and interests, including those new to the sport, returning to the sport or competitive runners.

The CiRF programme will take a minimum of six months to complete, however, once underway, applicants have up to two years to complete all elements.

Please note that the CiRF programme is not designed for coaches who want to work with runners taking part in track based endurance events such as 800m – 10,0000m or steeplechase.

More information on the Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) Award HERE.

Event Group Coach Award

The Event Group Coach (EGC) programme is designed to provide licensed athletics coaches with a greater understanding and awareness of the issues involved with coaching athletes at the Event Group Development stage of the athlete development pathway.

THIS COURSE CAN ONLY BE TAKEN BY COACHES WHO ALREADY HOLD AND "ATHLETICS COACH AWARD" OR ARE ALREADY QUALIFIED AT "LEVEL 2" OR ABOVE UNDER THE OLD UKA 'LEVELS' SYSTEM AND ARE LICENSED TO COACH WITHOUT SUPERVISION.

The course is currently available with content aimed at each of the four event group areas - sprints and hurdles, jumps, throws and endurance. In the future this will be expanded to include combined events and wheelchair racing.

Coaches who undertake this course will develop their technical knowledge and expertise across the individual events that make up each of the event areas: 

• Sprints and Hurdles: Short and Long Sprints and Hurdles
• Jumps: Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump and Pole Vault
• Throws: Shot Putt, Discus, Javelin and Hammer
• Endurance: Middle/Long Distance, Steeplechase, Race Walking

During the programme, candidates will be asked to consider, plan for and adapt training to meet the needs of individuals who have a range of abilities, experiences and fundamental movement skills regardless of their chronological age.

The EGC programme has two components to it:

1. An online learning component, which coaches can work their way through at their own pace. A thorough understanding of all the information presented online will ensure all candidates are at the same level and can get the most out of the second part of the programme. To ensure all candidates study the material a short multiple choice test must be completed online at the end of every module.
2. A single integration day during which coaches will come together to discuss how to integrate the information they have studied online into a training plan for an athlete at the event group development stage of the athlete development pathway.

Candidates embarking on this course must do so in the knowledge that it will require a significant investment in terms of time to complete the online learning component. However, with the exception of the multiple choice tests at the end of every module of the online component there is no assessment of actual coaching practice during this award.

More information on the Event Group Award HERE.