Coach Award

This course is specifically for individuals who have experience of coaching and are operating in a club environment. This is the standard level of coaching award for all club coaches. 

The award gives a basic introduction to sports coaching and general overview of all aspects of the chosen technical specialism: beach, indoor (6v6), sitting or junior volleyball (3v4, 4v4). Learners can expect to cover the following: 

  • Roles and responsibilities
  • The coaching process (plan, do, review) 
  • Individual technical fundamentals
  • Team tactical fundamentals
  • Developing systems of play
  • Preparing to coach a match
  • Sports science
  • Volleyball England's Fundamentals Framework 
  • Volleyball England's Game-Based Approach  

By completing the Coach Award, you will be able to: 

  • Create a coaching environment that meets the needs of the team and individual players. 
  • Monitor and evaluate coaching sessions  
  • Prepare a team for a match 
  • Reflect on your personal coaching practice 

Eligibility

Learners must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age on the first day of the course
  • Hold a Volleyball England Assistant Coach Award or equivalent* 
  • Be able to deliver volleyball coaching sessions over the next six months 
  • Be a coach member of Volleyball England  
  • Have one of the specified Safeguarding and Protecting Children training and First Aid certificates prior to certification ** 
  • Be able to communicate effectively in English (this includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing)
  • Have access to a laptop/tablet, good wifi, and microphone to participate in virtual classroom sessions. Any special learning requirements must be made clear at the registration process. 

*Volleyball England Level 1 Award Introduction to Coaching Volleyball; Volleyball England UKCC Level 1 Award in Coaching Volleyball (QCF); Volleyball England Level 1 Coaching Award.

**Volleyball England First Aid and Safeguarding Requirements for the Coach Award.

Recognition of prior learning

Volleyball England’s recognition of prior learning (RPL) is the recognition of a learner’s prior formal learning;  learning which has previously been formally accredited within an education system. This allows the learners exemption from Part 1 of the Coach Award course: the 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching (Sport and Physical Activity). 

Further information and how to apply is available here.

Course format

This course is delivered through a blended learning approach with a mix of on-demand, e-learning; webinars; self-study tasks; and face-to-face practical sessions. 

The course comprises 2 parts:

Part 1:  A regulated qualification: 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching (Sport and Physical Activity)

This requires the successful completion of eight e-learning modules, an e-portfolio, and two practical coaching assessments. Suggested time 1-1.5 hours per module plus. Learners will be able to access the e-learning on demand. 

Sport Structures is our delivery partner for part 1 of the Coach Award. This qualification is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
 
Part 2: Technical module 

This requires attendance at three virtual classroom sessions and two one-day face-to-face practical sessions and completion of a series of guided self-study tasks. A Volleyball England accredited tutor will lead the technical module. The technical modules are: beach volleyball (2v2), indoor volleyball (6v6), sitting volleyball (6v6) and junior volleyball (3v3 and 4v4).

Once a learner has achieved the Coach Award, they can complete additional technical modules without having to repeat part one.   

Certification

The Volleyball England Coach Award certificate will be awarded when the learner successfully completes parts one and two of the course and has current first aid and safeguarding certificates.

Course resources

  • Learner resource pack to support the technical module  
  • Art of Coaching Volleyball annual subscription 
  • WhatsApp support group 

What will the Coach Award qualify me to do?

Coach Award coaches have been trained to plan, deliver, and review safe volleyball sessions working independently or as part of a coaching team. Their training includes the coach’s responsibility for safeguarding, first aid, practice management, mandatory anti-doping regulations and Volleyball England safety policies and procedures. To gain the Coach Award, coaches must have valid safeguarding and first aid qualifications, which provide additional evidence of competence to lead sessions safely.  

To remain covered by the Volleyball England’s insurance, coaches must be qualified and registered as a coach with Volleyball England. They must also be able to demonstrate they have taken all reasonable steps to keep everyone involved in their sessions safe, and to make sure that foreseeable accidents are avoided. This means having a written risk assessment that explains the measures in place to keep everyone safe from harm.  

Booking information

Search 'Volleyball England Coach Award' on VolleyZone to find a full list of courses.

For further information please contact the Volleyball England Hub via coaching@volleyballengland.org.