Because Little Athletics is for all athletes regardless of their ability, emphasis is placed on keeping their interest and thereby enabling them to enjoy the sport to the fullest. Training sessions will be held on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. Additional sessions will be held on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. These sessions will be advised via newsletter, noticeboard, etc.

The Centre has a number of qualified Australian Track and Field Coaches Association (ATFCA) Coaches who attend these sessions. All parents are welcome to attend and their assistance is encouraged. Should you be interested in undertaking a Coaching course, please let the Centre Manager or Coaching manager know.

All your coaches are VOLUNTEERS They have spent their own time developing their skills and have attended theory and practical courses.

YOU CAN BE ONE TOO! Your centre actively encourages parents to become involved. There are different levels of accreditation requiring different levels of commitment, time wise. All courses are conducted in a very supportive and encouraging environment and you can be assured of any amount of help to make sure you pass.

NATIONAL COACHING ACCREDITATION SCHEME (from ATFCA)
The Scheme is made up of a very basic Introductory Course, the Introduction To Coaching Award, and five Levels of Accreditation, Level I, Level II, Level III, Level IV and Level V. Coaches involved in the scheme gain increased status, improved coaching skills, and confidence resulting in long term benefits for them, their athletes and their athletics clubs. The courses offer opportunities for coaches to acquire a greater knowledge of coaching which will ensure that athletics talent is nurtured and developed. Courses are largely practical, with emphasis on better organisation of practice, appropriate methods of skill learning and development, correcting techniques, appropriate conditioning methods, and performance analysis.

INTRODUCTION TO COACHING COURSES
The Orientation to Coaching Course is directed towards parents, teachers and other interested people who have little or no experience of Track and Field Athletics. The 8 hour course covers all event groups on the Track and Field program. The course is designed for beginner coaches who coach young athletes within the 5 to 15 years age range, providing training for them to coach under the guidance of an accredited coach.

LEVEL I ACCREDITATION COURSES
The Level I course is designed for novice coaches and covers most events on the track and field program. The course focuses on the essential elements of the processes of coaching and on the development of the basic technical model for young and novice athletes. The events of Hammer, Pole Vault and Steeplechase are not covered in Level I. A multiple choice exam will be handed to participants at the completion of the course to return within two weeks. The Level I course requires participants to read compulsory chapters from the "Beginning Coaching" text published by the Australian Sports Commission. These chapters along with other materials will also be examined during the course. The 16 hour course will be held over a two day period.

LEVEL II ACCREDITATION COURSES
On completion of the Level I course coaches who wish to advance further and undertake Level II, will be required to specialise in one or more specialist areas. Choices can be made from the following groups: (a) Sprints, Hurdles and Relays; (b) Endurance Running and Walking; (c) Jumps; (d) Throws and (e) Coaching Athletes with Disabilities. This 14 hour course will be held over a two day period. An exam given to participants at the completion of the course will need to be completed and returned within two weeks.

NATIONAL LEVEL III ACCREDITATION COURSES
The Level III course was designed to give the committed coach a broad background in the Sports Sciences and to enable them to study and learn in their own time, ensuring that such knowledge gained can be applied throughout this learning process.

NATIONAL LEVEL IV ACCREDITATION COURSES
In Level IV, candidates will need to choose from one of the following groups: Sprints/Hurdles/Relays, Middle & Long Distance Running, Race Walking, Jumps, Throws, Multiple Events, Coaching the Young Athlete or Coaching Athletes with a Disability. Coaches must have extensive experience of coaching late adolescent or senior athletes at a State Level in the particular discipline group.

NATIONAL LEVEL V ACCREDITATION COURSE
This level now becomes the highest qualification a coach can achieve in Track and Field. Candidates qualify in one event only.

ANY QUERIES: Please contact: Kylie Waltisbuhl - Centre Coaching Manager