New Coaching Structure

In 2010 the structure of football coach education across Australia was updated, with the aim of having all club coaches accredited at the appropriate level for the players they coach. The accreditation levels are:

• Ages 5-7
  • Grassroots Certificate (3 hour FREE course for those coaching Optus Small Sided Football - OSSF)
• Ages 8-11
  • Junior Licence (2 day course, or equivalent over several sessions) - $99
• Ages 12-15
  • Youth Certificate 1 (1 day course, or equivalent over several sessions) - $88
  • Youth Certificate 2 (2 day course, or equivalent over several sessions) - $99
  • Youth Licence (20 minute assessment) - $66
• Ages 16 and over
  • Senior Certificate 1 (1 day course, or equivalent over several sessions) - $88
  • Senior Certificate 2 (2 day course, or equivalent over several sessions) - $99
  • Senior Licence (20 minute assessment) - $66

Under the new system, there is no requirement for completing a licence for a younger age-group before proceeding to the next level. You can undertake the training most relevant to the age-group you are coaching. There is also no requirement to undertake Certificate 2 or the Licence assessment, though these are recommended. It is necessary, however, to complete Certificate 1 before moving on to Certificate 2.

Please note: coaches who were accredited under the old system will have their expiry date extended to allow them time to adapt to the new structure. All Community Accreditations that expire during 2010 will be extended to 31 December 2012.

A new card will not be sent out unless you request one through Football Federation Victoria, who will adjust the database to reflect your request.

ID Cards are sent out approximately 3-2 times per year directly from Football Federation Australia (FFA), not through FFV. For queries about ID cards please contact coaching@footballaustralia.com.au.

For more information about the new structure, please click here.

How do I register for a course?

Below you will find a link to the FFA website where courses are listed. Select the level and date you wish to attend and enter your details.

Please note – if you have already registered for courses in the past you will have a Coach ID number and password – you must use these details and do not register again as a new user. Your ID number will be on your certificate and your ID card. If you do not know these details please contact Elisabeth Speller on 9474 1814 or coaching@footballfedvic.com.au

Once you have registered you will receive an automatic email response confirming your registration, with a payment form attached. The payment form must be returned and payment completed at least five days prior to the start of the course. If payment is not made five days before the course starts, the place on the course will be given to someone else. Please do not submit the payment without first registering online.

• Grassroot Licence
• Junior Licence
• Youth Certificate 1
• Youth Certificate 2
• Youth Licence
• Senior Certificate 1
• Senior Certificate 2 or
• Senior Licence

All FFA Community accreditations last for four years.

• Can I be exempt from a course?
No. There are no exemptions from coaching courses due to the new structure. No community level course is considered a higher qualification than any other. The Junior Licence is just as important to the coach of an Under 11 team as the Senior Licence is for coaches of senior teams.

• What if my coaching accreditation expires?
You are no longer accredited for that level of coaching, and you may not be able to coach in some competitions.

• How do I get my accreditation back?
There are two ways to regain your accreditation. You can either attend the relevant Certificate course for the age-group you intend to coach, or you can be assessed for your Licence. FFV is responsible for running Licence assessments. These are listed here. Alternatively assessments may be conducted by arrangement at your club. Please contact coaching@footballfedvic.com.au if you would like to discuss an assessment at your club.

• Do I need to pay the course fee when I’m re-accrediting?
Yes

• Can I get a refund?
Refunds are available if coaching courses are cancelled by FFV. Refunds are not available if you are unable to attend the date(s) you registered for. In this case you can be placed into the next available course date by emailing coaching@footballfedvic.com.au with course details, or the registration may be transferred to another person.

• Do I get another certificate and ID card when I am re-accredited?
Yes

• My club has said they will pay for my course, is that ok?
If your club or school has agreed to pay for your coaching course we can either issue you with a receipt upon payment to give to your club for re-imbursement, or we can place it on your club’s account with approval in writing (such as an email) from a club official – Treasurer, Secretary, President – confirming that it is ok to place the course on the club’s account. Course payment must still be received five days prior to the course.

• Can my club hold a course?
Yes, your club can hold a course at its facility, providing that a minimum of 16 participants have paid for the course. All your club needs is a room (for the theory) and a pitch (for the practical components) and we will provide the rest.

• Do I need to update my Community Licence if I have an Advanced Licence?
Only if you want to be accredited in both the Community and Advanced Pathways. Keep in mind that the Advanced Pathway courses are higher than the Community Pathway courses, therefore it is not necessary to update your Community Licence if you have a current Advanced Licence.

• If the minimum coaching requirement for a particular competition is the Senior Licence, and I have a C Licence, can I coach in that competition, or do I need to do the Senior Football Certificate 1, 2, and Licence?
If you have an Advanced Licence then you are at a higher level than all the Community Licences, therefore you are eligible to coach in that competition.

• My Community Senior Licence expires before my Advanced Licence. As the Advanced Licence is higher than the Community Licence, does the expiry date for my Community Licence get pushed forward to be in line with my Advanced Licence?
No, the expiry date for your Senior Licence will not get pushed forward. If you want to be a Community Coach only, you will need to re-accredit your Community Licence. Remember that if you have a current Advanced Licence there is no need to update your Community Licence because you already have a higher level accreditation. However, if your Advanced Licence expires and you want to maintain your Community Licence you will need to undertake the appropriate course(s) before it expires.

• Can I get recognition for my overseas coaching qualifications?
Please click here to see the requirements for having overseas coaching qualifications recognised.

• Where can I view coach education resources?
Resources can be viewed here.

For answers to more questions, please click here.

• Who do I contact if I have an enquiry?
You can contact:

• Elisabeth Speller on 9474 1814 or coaching@footballfedvic.com.au
   
• Darren Tan - 0424 184 649 or dtan@footballfedvic.com.au for coaching courses in the South East, Eastern and Southern zones
   
• Josh Vinecombe - 0424 184 652 or jvinecombe@footballfedvic.com.au for coaching courses in the North West, Western and Northern zones