Assistant Coach Award
The Assistant Coach Award is the first step on Volleyball England's Coach Education and Development Pathway.
Click here to book onto a course
This introductory award covers indoor, beach, and sitting volleyball.
The course introduces learners to the Volleyball Fundamentals Framework that underpins the development of the dig, volley, block, serve, spike, and the Volleyball England Game-Based approach to coaching.
The Assistant Coach Award is designed to enhance coaches' knowledge and skills in the following areas:
- Understanding the role, responsibilities and duties
- Ensure coaching practices are always safe, fair, and ethical
- Building strong connections and engaging effectively with players
- Developing key coaching skills such as observation and feedback
- Coaching volleyball skills such as dig, volley, block, serve, and spike
- Implementing the Volleyball England Fundamentals Framework and Game-Based Approach
- Preparing, delivering and reviewing coaching sessions
- Cultivating the habit of reflective practice to continuously improve coaching effectiveness
What does the Assistant Coach Award allow me to do?
The Assistant Coach Award enables a coach to independently lead and deliver pre-planned sessions or design basic sessions (subject to review by a higher-level coach) across various club environments, without requiring direct supervision. However, if the Assistant Coach, is under 18 years of age, they must be directly supervised by a higher-level coach.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Volleyball England's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) acknowledges a learner's previous formal education. This includes learning that has been accredited through the education system or a National Governing Body (NGB) education program. Through RPL, learners could be exempted from the eLearning module: UK Coaching Get into Coaching: Assistant Coach in Sport & Physical Activity. Further information about how to apply is available in the policy below.
Eligibility
Learners must:
- Be at least 16 years of age on the day of the course
- Be able to communicate effectively in English, including; listening, speaking, reading and writing
Course Structure
This is an eight-week blended learning course where learners attend one online classroom session, a one day face-to-face practical session and study online at their own pace.
Learners are recommended to set aside two hours per week to complete the eLearning and assignment tasks.
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Watch: course introduction video |
The video offers an overview of the course content and guides learners on how to complete the course (10 minutes) |
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Complete: eLearning courses |
Volleyball England Safeguarding Children and Adults in Volleyball (120 minutes). UK Coaching Get into Coaching: Assistant Coach in Sport & Physical Activity (180 minutes). |
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Attend: online classroom |
Led by the course tutor. Session topics include coach's philosophy, risk assessment, Volleyball England Fundamentals Framework and the Game-Based Approach (90 minutes). |
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Complete: assignment tasks |
Six learning tasks designed to reinforce learners' understanding of key volleyball concepts (120 minutes). Plus a Personal Development Plan which is assessed by the course tutor (30 minutes). |
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Attend: practical session |
One day practical session facilitated by the course tutor which includes practical coaching tasks. |
Course fees
From 1st April 2025, the course is £207 per learner (plus a service fee of 3.2% + 50p). This includes all course tuition and resources, one years subscription to UK Coaching Club, and a Volleyball England coach registration until the end of the season.
Funding
Visit UK Coaching to find the latest coach education funding opportunities in your area.
Certification
The course must be completed in full. The online classroom session is not recorded or offered on demand. Please ensure that you have read the Volleyball England Education Course Terms and Conditions prior to booking onto the course.
How to book
Assistant Coach Award courses are organised on a demand basis. Click here to see the courses that are currently available to book and select Assistant Coach Award from the event group drop down.
If there are no courses listed, please check back at a later date. Once new courses are added they will be advertised on the Volleyball England social media and news channels.
If you require help with booking onto a course, please see the step by step guide here before emailing or calling the Volleyball England Hub Team on 01509 974700.