Coach Accreditation
Historically, AFL coach education has primarily focused on skill development, winning, and advancing through accreditation levels. The new approach to coach education emphasises continuous learning and development, allowing coaches to consistently enhance their skills to benefit all participants, whether they're beginners, playing socially, or competing at higher levels.
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What is new with coach accreditation?
There have been significant updates to coach accreditation, transforming how coaches learn, develop, and be recognised. The table below highlights key differences between the previous system and the new approach.
A renewed structure with five distinct accreditation types: Registered, Registered Accredited, Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
Learning tailored to the age group you coach and the environment you’re in, ensuring a more diverse and relevant learning experience. Engage in segmented workshops, microlearning, and on-the-job training. It’s choose-your-own-adventure for your coaching journey.
Flexibility in learning: We reward flexibility and encourage it. You have the freedom to choose how and when you want to learn, making it a truly personalized "choose-your-own-adventure" experience.
The modern approach instead of framework emphasises ongoing development rather than a one-time educational event, ensuring continuous growth and development.
Gain recognition for all the professional development you do as a coach. Earn badges and points that celebrate your learning and achievements.
NEW Accreditation Points
The AFL’s coach accreditation system uses a points-based approach to help coaches progress through five accreditations: Registered, Registered Accredited, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The points system encourages participation in various learning opportunities, including online modules, face-to-face workshops, practical coaching, demonstrations, observations, mentoring, and self-directed learning.
• Registered: < 90 points
• Registered Accredited: 90 points
• Bronze: 100 points
• Silver: 200 points
• Gold: 400 points
Coaches can earn points and new accreditations by actively participating in a variety of learning activities. These activities include but are not limited to:
- Online Modules: Structured courses and learning available on the AFL LMS.
- Face-to-Face Workshops: Interactive, facilitator-led sessions.
- Demonstrations and Observations: Watching and analyzing coaching on game day and/or training.
- Self-Directed Learning: Independent learning of coaching related topics
- Practical Coaching: Hands-on coaching practice
Points reset to the minimum required for the current accreditation on November 1 each year. This ensures that coaches remain engaged and active throughout the year to maintain or improve their coaching accreditation.
For a Bronze and Silver coach to maintain their current accreditation, they will need to obtain at least 50 points each calendar year. This includes 40 points from compliance modules and at least 10 points from an additional learning element. For a Gold coach, they will need to obtain at least 100 points each calendar year to maintain their current accreditation.
- Bronze: 50 points in a calendar year
- Silver: 50 points in a calendar year
- Gold: 100 points in a calendar year
If a coach does not achieve enough points in a calendar year, they will revert to one accreditation below.
Different learning elements within the framework have varying points based on their complexity, duration, and significance. Here’s how points are typically allocated:
- Compliance Modules: 40 points
- Essential Courses: 50 points
- Online Modules: 10 or 20 points depending on the complexity of the module.
- Face-to-Face Workshops: Minimum of 50 points per workshop
- All other learning types/elements: TBC
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have been an ‘active’ coach since the 2019 season, you will be recognised under the new accreditation framework and awarded an accreditation. Active is defined by having either registered as a coach or engaging with coach learning resources on the AFL’s LMS since the start of 2019.
Your previous accreditation level will be transferred to the new framework, ensuring your past efforts and achievements are recognised:
- Current Level 3 & Level 4 coaches will be recognised as Gold Coaches for 2025.
- Current Level 2 coaches will be recognised as Silver Coaches for 2025.
- Current Foundation Coaches will be recognised as Bronze Coaches for 2025.
To find out more about Recognition of prior learning, refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) guide in the Coach Accreditation Framework Handbook.