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FAQ – qualifications

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I am new to athletics, where do I start in terms of qualifications?
  • Athletics Leader is the first workshop for new people and is open to volunteers over the age of 14 years.
  • Coaching Assistant is the first of the qualifications, and is open to volunteers over 16 years.
I have been an International athlete as a junior and into my competitive career, do I need to start at the first level?
  • Yes, there is a need for all volunteers to start with the basics of coaching and understanding the coaching process, not only the technical side of the sport.
What is the Leading Athletics course?
  • A 3 hour course to allow attendees to lead activity set out in the resources, whilst being supervised by a fully qualified coach. (This is not a coaching qualification).
What is the Coaching Assistants Award?
  • A two-day course that helps the new coaches explore howto coach, using the athletics events as the vehicle to up-skill the coaches.
  • This is the entry level qualification for coaches and each coach will be licensed by UKA.
I am 16 years of age, is there any limitation on the Coaching Assistant Course?
  • Yes, until you reach the age or 18 years, you should be directly supervised by a fully qualified coach during your delivery.
  • Once 18, the normal licencing rules apply, you can lead sessions or parts of sessions whilst the lead coach is in the venue.
    • The lead coach should plan and set the sessions being delivered.
I already have a Coaching Assistant Award, what is my next step?
  • There are two options:
    • Coaching track and field athletics – Athletics Coach
    • Coaching endurance events off-track – Coach in Running Fitness
      • The award is for coaches who are working with athletes over 12 years of age.
What do I need to do to become qualified as an Athletics Coach or Coach in Running Fitness?
  • Attend all 4 days – Day 4 is the practical assessment
  • Complete the Online Knowledge Test
What is involved in completing the Event Group qualification?
  • Each Event Group is split into sections, sub-sections and multiple choice questionnaires.
  • At the end of all subsections there are questions that need to be answered in order to pass that section.
  • Once all sections have been competed, you must attend an integration day to complete the qualification.
  • scottishathletics will run these annually in the autumn.
What steps are required to receive your licence?
  • Complete Safeguarding in Athletics (available to book on Athletics Hub)
  • PVG check completed
  • Suitable passport photo submitted to your profile
  • Your licence will be issued when all relevant requirements have been completed.
How do I book on to a course?
  • Find a suitable course on our coaching qualifications page
  • Complete the booking process via Athletics Hub
  • Please note that no place will be confirmed until all of the above has been completed.
What are the costs of the courses?
  • Athletics Leaders 14 years+ £300 per course (max of 24)
  • Coaching Assistant 16 years+ £195, including coach membership of £25 for three years.
  • Athletics Coach 18 years+ £425 / £170 per coach (see below)
  • Coach in Running Fitness 18 years+ £425 / £170 per coach (see below)
  • Event Group Coach 18 years+ £75 online; £75 integration day
Where can I look for funding available for courses?
  • Local Authority Funds
  •  Local Sports Council Grant Aid
  •  Awards for All
  •  Local Athletics Club
  •  Community Sports Hubs
All coaches must be “Coach” members of scottishathletics to access the subsided costs on all courses. This costs £25 for three years. The “Coach” membership is in addition to any athlete membership.
Coaching Subsidy
  • Through our funding partner, sportscotland, there is a coaching subsidy of 60% of the course fee available for those applying for CiRF or Athletics Coach. To be eligible to receive the coaching subsidy, coaches must meet the following at the time of booking:
    • Agree to coach through sport in the community (i.e. clubs, local programmes, schools, community, or performance sport) within six months of applying for the subsidy.
    • Agree to coach on average once per week, or a minimum of 24 times per year
    • Agree to become a scottishathletics coach member at the time of booking, if not already a member
    • Agree to continue to develop as a coach through ongoing communications with a support coach and attend coach development opportunities as and when appropriate
    • Agree to work with named support coach in the development as a coach.
    • Provide a statement, why this course will benefit you as a coach, and what impact will this have on the club / school / community.

    Where a coach does not complete the course, they will be invoiced for the subsidy paid of £255.

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