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The quality of coaching is one of the primary reasons why
players either continue to participate in Australian Football or give up
the game. The AFL together with the State/Territory football
organisations recognise that at all levels of the AFL game, the coach has
significantly more influence upon players than any other official or
person connected with football, hence the requirement for all coaches to
be accredited at an appropriate level.
Coaches must be able to
communicate effectively with primary and youth aged children or adults
depending on their player group, therefore training in coaching and
communication techniques are as equally important as the skills, training
sessions and game plans.
The primary years are the golden years of
the development of fundamental motor skills and of skill learning specific
to sport. Not only is this the most rapid learning phase of their lives in
this regard, which if done well can lead to ongoing enjoyment and
participation, but a failure to develop such skills during pre-adolescence
is a major factor influencing teenage dropout in sport. Coaches also
greatly influence the forming and development of personalities of young
players in their care.
Mandatory Accreditation
All
states and territories have a mandatory accreditation policy where coaches
MUST have completed an approved AFL coaching accreditation course if they
are appointed to a coaching position. This is critical for those coaching
children.
Types of AFL coaching courses
AFL Auskick
orientation, Level 1 and Level 2 (coaching coordinator)
Club and
school coaches of teenagers Level 1 (Youth)
Coaches of adults (open
age) Level 1 (Senior)
AFL Level 2 (Youth / Senior)
AFL Level 3
(High Performance)
These various types of coaching courses are
designed to suit specific needs of participants in each of the coaching
(age) groups.
AFL Auskick
The coaching of children at AFL
Auskick centres is the most important aspect of the program. Failure to
develop coordination and basic skills is the single greatest factor in
preventing children from continuing to participate in their chosen sport,
or sport generally.
An outline of each of the AFL coaching
accreditation courses is presented in the following table
| Course |
Ideal For? |
Duration |
Involves |
Assessments |
| AFL Auskick |
|
|
|
|
| Orientation |
All volunteers supporting AFL Auskick
programs should attend at least 1 session -Assistant coaches should
have this accreditation |
Three to Four Hour Course |
Conducted through practical, hands-on
involvement under the guidance of trained personnel. Outlines the
conduct of a typical session and how it fits into a season-long
program |
|
| Level 1(AFL Auskick) |
At least one person involved in each AFL
Auskick program. -Coordinating coaches should be accredited |
Around 14 hours |
Planning and organising training sessions.
Skill games and modified games. Growth and Development, Safety and
legal issues |
Candidates are assessed practically either
in course time or on the job or both |
| Level 2(AFL Auskick) Coaching Coordinator
Certificate |
AFL Auskick managers and coach
coordinators should be accredited at this level. |
Normally conducted over a long weekend,
and in a live-in environment. |
Improving the coaching knowledge and
skills of candidates, along with their technical planning and
management skills. |
Coaches undertake activities and are
assessed over a full season (Auskick season) |
| Youth/Senior |
|
|
|
|
| Level 1 Youth |
Club and secondary school coaches of
teenagers |
Around 14 hours |
Understanding youth participation, which
permeates all aspects of the course. A specific focus on what
motivates youth participants. Social aspects of working with and
managing players in this age range, specific communication skills
and developing higher level skill and understanding. |
Assessed practically either in course time
on the job or both. |
| Level 1 Senior |
Coaches of adults (open age) |
Around 14 hours |
Communication Skills & drills Team
play and tactics. Fitness for football, recovery &
rehabilitation. Coaching & safety issues |
Assessed practically either in course time
on the job or both. |
| AFL Level 2 (youth / senior) |
Coaches involved at a higher level (rep
teams, development squads, etc.). For coaches with an aptitude and
genuine interest in improving their coaching skills. |
Course commences with a live-in workshop
with a review day at the end of the season. Around 30 hours of
course work is required in addition to practical involvement. |
Conducted through practical, hands-on
involvement of participants Focussing on preparing a coach to plan,
prepare, conduct, review and adapt a year-long program of
coaching |
Assessed practically on the job at
training and in a match environment. |
| AFL Level 3 (High Performance) |
Accreditation for coaches involved in AFL,
state leagues, TAC cup or other programs in the AFL Talent
Pathway. |
Coaches working in or aspiring to this
level, may apply to be invited to a week-long, live in program. |
The highest accreditation offered by the
AFL. Covers in greater depth those areas dealt with in level 2 plus
relevant current issues, including technology, public relations and
coaches as program managers and mentors. |
|
Re-accreditation
1. Accreditation is valid
for 4 years, from the year in which accreditation is gained.
2. If you
gain a higher level of accreditation during that four year period, the
expiry relates only to the higher accreditation.
3. Application to
re-accredit at Level 1 should be made direct to your local Regional
Development Manager or to your State Director of Coaching.
Re-accreditation is not automatic.
To maintain your Level 1
accreditation you must demonstrate that you:
a. Continued to coach
throughout the four years
b. Were a registered member of your
Australian Football Coaches Association branch throughout the four
years
c. Are prepared to sign the AFL Coaches Code of conduct (or State
specific version) when seeking re-accreditation.
d. Are prepared to
submit to any coach screening procedures required at the time of
re-accreditation.
e. Have continued to undertake further education,
formal or informal, to enhance your coaching abilities. This might include
attendance at AFCA seminars; training sessions of other coaches
(particularly mentor coaches); attendance at courses or sessions within
courses; training, in CPR, First Aid, communication skills, and so
on.
For information about courses, updating accreditation and
the Australian Football Coaches Association (AFCA) contact your state
coaching manager as follows:
NSW/ACT
Training
Manager
AFL (NSW/ ACT)
PO BOX 333
Strawberry Hills NSW
2012
[email protected]
02-83338019
Northern
Territory
Training Manager
AFLNT
PO BOX AFLNT 1
Casuarina
NT
0811
[email protected]
0402-006627
Queensland
State
Training Manager
AFL Queensland
PO BOX 1211
Coorparoo DC QLD
4151
[email protected]
07-33942433
South
Australia
Coaching Co-ordinator
SANFL
PO BOX 1
West Lakes
SA
5021
[email protected]
08-84242286
Tasmania
State
Development Manager
Football Tasmania
PO BOX 1896
Launceston TAS
7250
[email protected]
03-63330583
Victoria
Director of Coaching
Football
Victoria
GPO BOX 4337
Melbourne VIC
3001
[email protected]
03-86633013
Western
Australia
Manager - Coaching
WAFDT
PO BOX 275
Subiaco WA
6904
[email protected]
08-93815599
Australian Football
League
National Coaching Development Manager
AFL Game
Development
GPO BOX 1449N
Melbourne VIC
3001
[email protected]
03-96431859
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