Target Athletes

The course has a focus on coaching athletes between 5-12 years of age and athletes new to the sport. The primary objective is to develop the fundamental movement skills and introduce athletics in a fun and inclusive format using a games-sense approach. 

FIT Model

This course gives coaches the required skills and knowledge to coach athletes in the following phases of the FIT Model of Development.

• Fundamentals I
• Fundamentals II

Course Content

• The Pillars of Good Communication (Relationships, Instruction, Demonstration, Observation, Analysis, and Feedback)
• Group Management
• Coaching Junior Athletes
• Inclusive Coaching using the TREE Principle
• Warm Ups and Cool Downs
• Resistance Training for Beginning Athletes
• Coaching a Technical Model - Running and Bounding
• Coaching a Technical Model - Stranding Horizontal Jump, Walking Horizontal Jump, Running Horizontal Jump, Combined Jump Series
• Coaching a Technical Model - Standing Vertical Jump
• Coaching a Technical Model - Underarm Throw, Overarm Throw, Push Pass, Sling Throw, Standing Put
• Leading a Kids' Athletics Program
• Session Planning
• Child Protection and Safeguarding

Requirements to Gain Accreditation

• Completion of a one-day face to face course or 5-session online course
• Completion of post-course assessment task
• Working with Children Check clearance

The Level 1 Youth Coach accreditation is designed for coaches who want to work with athletes aged 3-12 years old, and want to be involved in the early stages of athlete development (Fundamentals I and Fundamentals II in Athletics Australia’s Training and Competition Guidelines for Children and Adolescents).

The primary objective of a Youth Coach is to utilise a games-based approach to develop fundamental movement skills (such as running, jumping, and throwing) and foster physical literacy in a supportive training environment.  

Youth Coaches specialise in roles within Sporting Schools programs, Primary Schools, and Little Athletics centres.

More information about the course can be found here.