BTEC National Extended Certificate/National Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development

Where will this course lead?

Our National Extended Certificate/National Diploma caters for those who wish to pursue a career in the field of Sports Coaching. The programme is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and provides the qualifications required for direct employment entry in the Sports Coaching sector.

Throughout the course you will learn various aspects of coaching including, roles and responsibilities of a coach; health and well-being; career development; communication skills and the skills required to effectively plan and deliver coaching sessions.

What will I study?

The National Extended Certificate is the first year of the programme, consisting of 3 units:

1. Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry:

• The organisation of the Sports industry.

• Investigate careers in the Sports industry.

• The recruitment process.

• Reflection and personal development towards a career in the Sports industry.

2. Health, Well-being and Sport:

• The importance of physical activity and sport.

• The importance of physical health.

• Mental health and social well-being.

• Undertake health and wellbeing screening processes.

3. Coaching Skills Development:

• Explore the responsibilities of an assistant coach.

• Prepare sport and activity sessions.

• Explore and develop assistant coaching skills.

• Review sport and activity sessions.

The National Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development is the second year of the programme, consisting of 4 units:

1. Sport Development:

• Key concepts in Sports Development.

• Key providers of Sports Development.

• Investigate Sports Development in practice.

2. Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity:

• Explore self-employment in the Sport and Fitness industry.

• Design a strategy for self-employment in the Sport and Fitness industry.

• Present and Review your strategy for self-employment.

3. Applied Coaching Skills:

• Assess participant needs for a coaching session.

• Plan a Sport Coaching programme.

• Lead a Sport Coaching programme.

• Monitor progress and adapt the programme.

4. Practical Sport Application:

• Skills, techniques and tactics in a range of sports.

• Use skills, techniques and tactics in an individual and a team sport.

• Review own and others performance in a range of sports.

How will this course be delivered?

This course is mainly classroom based, developing the knowledge required to understand the key principles of health, physical activity, sport and exercise.

You will also undertake a number of practical based sessions to explore the roles, responsibilities and skills of a coach in a range of different sports. You will be required to plan and lead a range of coaching sessions, demonstrating your competence in communicating effectively in different situations.

What qualifications will I get?

1st Year - BTEC National Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching.

2nd Year - BTEC National Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development.

How will I be assessed?

The course is assessed via coursework (e.g. written reports, formal presentations, poster design and presentations), along with several practical-based assessments in which you will demonstrate your competence in coaching a range of different sessions.

How do I get a place on the course?

You need to attend an Information Evening where all questions can be answered and places are offered by a successful interview. Interviews can be booked at the Information Evening.

What are the entry requirements?

4 GCSE grades at C/4 or above including GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths.

You will be expected to have an active interest in a range of sports, and ideally have some experience of planning and leading small practical sessions.

What else do I need to know?

You will need to purchase course materials (£10) and the Solihull College uniform (TBC). You will be required to have an up to date DBS check in order to secure work experience in a coaching environment. In addition to completing your BTEC course, you will also be developing employability skills that are valued and recognised by employers.

Good levels of English and Maths are important for your success in your course, your chosen vocation and life. Throughout your course you will continue to develop your English and Maths skills in your vocational classes.

If you haven't achieved an A*/9 - C/4 grade in English or Maths at GCSE, or a Level 2 Functional Skill, you will also be working towards a qualification in English or Maths at a level that will enable you to progress towards these grades.

If you have a Learning Difficulty or Disability please let us know when you apply. You will be offered support in your interview. If you need help completing your application we can help with this too. Solihull College and University Centre offers full time and part time courses for businesses and residents in Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Warwickshire and the whole of the West Midlands.

What can I do after this course?

If you are successful on this course, you will be able to apply for employment in the coaching sector, typically as an assistant or multi-skills coach. You may also want to consider continuing your studies towards a higher education qualification such as a Higher National Diploma or a sport related degree either at a College or University. These BTEC qualifications attract UCAS points which can be used for application to Higher Education.