World Athletics Coaches Education and Certification Programmes
Level I
With the introduction of the new Level I in the CECS, there is the opportunity to emphasise and develop the educational aspects of Kids’ Athletics. The new Level I will produce qualified Youth Coaches who will not only be able to train and prepare young children for Kids’ Athletics competitions but also provide the ‘bridge’ to ‘real’ athletics.
Level I Youth Coaches will be competent and able to take the kids through to the youth programmes of training and competition relevant to 13-15 years of age. To make the most efficient use of resources and ensure the optimum application and activity, Level I courses will be conducted at locations in the countries of Member Federations, using World Athletics (formerly IAAF) accredited Level I Lecturers and standardised course materials.
Level II
The Level II course is intended to train coaches for effective work with youth and beginner athletes, the ‘club athletes’. The Level II syllabus covers all event groups and emphasises the practical skills of coaching. At the same time, the Level II course provides a theoretical base which is sufficient to allow coaches to continue learning, either through their own efforts or within the structure of the CECS. Entry for the Level II is granted to successful and active Level I coaches but entry can also be made directly from suitably profiled individuals (see Table 1).
To make the most efficient use of resources, Level II courses will be, as for Level I, conducted at locations in the countries of the Member Federations, using World Athletics (formerly IAAF) accredited Level II Lecturers and standard course materials. The course structure and timetable for Level II courses are flexible (provided certain specified requirements are met) in order to adapt to local conditions. The norm will be for a 14 day course.For more information on the Level I and Level II Coach please read:
Level III
The Level III course is designed to be an introduction to performance coaching for coaches who have performed well at Level II and have gained a level of coaching specialisation in one of the following six event groups:
- Sprints and Hurdles
- Middle and Long Distance Running
- Race Walks
- Jumps
- Throws
- Combined Events
With this specialisation they can begin to meet their country's need for high level coaches. It is anticipated that the majority of Level III participants will continue to Level IV. In addition to elements specific to the events group, the Level III syllabus contains core elements which are common to all events.
On completion of a Level III course a coach will be expected to be able to identify and coach the basic competition model for each event within an event group. The coach will also be expected to be able to plan and implement a series of appropriate training sessions within the context of an annual training plan.
Level IV
The Level IV course builds on the experiences of Level III and can be thought of as the development of performance coaching, providing coaches with advanced level instruction in their chosen event group. As with Level III, the Level IV syllabus includes event specific elements but more of the common core elements are now studied with a specific application to the event group context.
On completion of the Level IV course coaches will be able to identify and coach high level and advanced competition models for their specific event or events. They will also be expected to be able to plan and implement macrocycles of training for high level athletes within the context of a multi-year plan.
These plans should lead to the achievement of potential, elite performance and competitive results.
Level III and Level IV course are conducted at the RDCs. Entry to Level IV is open to coaches who pass the Level III assessment procedures, have completed a minimum of one further year of practical coaching experience and have been recommended by their National Federation.
Level V – World Athletics Academy Programme
Perhaps the most important educational initiative in recent years to support the development of key personnel in Athletics was the introduction of the then IAAF Academy in 2004, providing professional education of the highest level.
To achieve this the MSD has created partnerships with respected and recognised universities worldwide to offer courses which blend academic rigour in the sport sciences with the practical experiences of the most elite of World Athletics experts.
The World Athletics Academy currently offers the following courses:
- Chief Coach
- Elite Coach
- Coaching Development Director
The Academy aims to provide the coach with the relevant professional knowledge, understanding and practical experience to create an environment capable of delivering high levels of individual and team performance at specific events, or the development of innovative coaching development environments, over multiple seasons.
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