Step Into Coaching and Officiating

National Governing Body: British Aikido Board

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Coach Levels 1, 2, and 3 certifications

Other training:
- Safeguarding and child protection courses
- First aid and health/safety training

Link to find courses: https://www.bab.org.uk/coaching-information/

National Governing Body: British American Football Association

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Coaching certifications (Levels 1 and 2)

Overview of officiating courses:
- Refereeing certifications
- Player safety and concussion protocol

Link to find courses: https://www.bafca.co.uk/coach-education/

National Governing Body: Badminton England

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- UKCC Level 1, 2, and 3 coaching qualifications

Other courses:
- Technical official roles (Line Judge, Umpire, etc.)
- Club development and safeguarding courses

Link to find courses: https://www.badmintonengland.co.uk/on-court/coaching/coaching-pathway/

National Governing Body: British Powerlifting

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- British Powerlifting Level 1 Coach
- British Powerlifting Level 2 Coach
- Strength and Conditioning courses specific to powerlifting
- British Weight Lifting Coaching Levels 1, 2, and 3
- Advanced Technical Coaching (focused on snatch, clean, and jerk techniques)

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee Qualifications: Regional, National, and International Levels
- Spotter and Loader Certification (for safe equipment handling at meets)
- Technical Official (TO) Levels 1 and 2
- International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Referee Training

Speciality Courses:
- Programming and Nutrition for Powerlifting
- Adaptive Powerlifting for athletes with disabilities
- Strength and Conditioning Training
- Long-term Athlete Development (LTAD) for youth weightlifting
- Inclusive Weightlifting (working with adaptive athletes)

Link to find powerlifting courses: https://www.britishpowerlifting.org/coaching-courses

Link to find weightlifting courses: https://britishweightlifting.org/olympic-weightlifting-coach

National Governing Body: Basketball England

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Coaching pathway from Level 1 to Elite Performance Coaching (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee and table official certifications

Speciality Courses:
- Leadership and youth engagement programs

Link to find coaching courses: https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/get-involved/learn-and-get-qualified/be-a-coach/

Link to find officiating courses: https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/get-involved/learn-and-get-qualified/

National Governing Body: British Cheerleading Association

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Cheerleading coaching courses tailored for beginner to advanced levels.
- Specialized certifications in stunting, tumbling, pom dance, and urban cheer.

Overview of judging and officiating courses:
- Judge and official training programs to enable participation in regulated competitions.

Athlete Training:
- Structured pathways for cheerleaders focusing on skills like stunting and tumbling.

Young Leader and Volunteer Programs:
- Leadership courses designed to develop youth involvement in cheerleading.

Health and Safety Training:
- Emphasis on safety regulations, especially for stunting and high-impact routines​

Link to find courses: https://ukca.org.uk/home/about-us/

National Governing Body: England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB)

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- ECB Core Coaching Pathway (Coach Support Worker, Foundation, Advanced, and Specialist levels)

Overview of officiating courses:
- Umpiring and scoring certifications

Other training:
- Safeguarding and first aid training for club officials

Link to find coaching courses: https://www.ecb.co.uk/be-involved/coaching/coaching-courses

Link to find officiating courses: https://www.ecb.co.uk/be-involved/officials/find-a-course/Umpiring-courses

National Governing Body: British Dodgeball.

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Coaching courses (Level 1 and Level 2)

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee certifications

Link to find courses: https://www.britishdodgeball.org/coaching-courses/#package

National Governing Body: British Fencing

Overview of coaching courses:
- Coaching pathway (Level 1 to Level 3)

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee and timekeeper training
- Safeguarding in fencing courses

Link to find courses: https://baf-fencing.com/initial-levels/

National Governing Body: The Football Association (FA)

Overview of coaching courses:
- FA Coaching Badges (Level 1, 2, and UEFA A/B Licenses)

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee pathway (Basic course to Elite Refereeing)

They also offer club administration and welfare officer training

You will be required to have a DBS check (when working with children) as well as attend the FA Safeguarding Children Workshop. First aid training may also be required (Introduction first aid in football course - IFAiF)

Link to find courses: https://learn.englandfootball.com/courses

National Governing Body: The Football Association (FA)

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- FA Coaching Badges (Level 1, 2, and UEFA A/B Licenses)
- Club administration and welfare officer training

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee pathway (Basic course to Elite Refereeing)

Link to find courses: https://learn.englandfootball.com/courses/futsal

National Governing Body: England Golf

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- PGA Coaching Pathway (Levels 1-4)
- Club Welfare and Safeguarding Officer courses
- Greenkeeping and golf course management training

Link to find courses: https://www.englandgolf.org/

National Governing Body: England Handball Association

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- UK Coaching Handball Level 1 and 2 awards

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee and official development courses
- Club governance and safeguarding workshops

Link to find courses: https://englandhandball.com/

National Governing Body: England Hockey

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Coaching Awards: Introduction to Hockey, Level 1 and 2 Coaching

Overview of officiating courses:
- Umpiring qualifications and match official training

They also offer safeguarding and youth engagement programs.

Link to find courses: https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/

National Governing Body: UK Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- UKBJJA-approved coaching levels: beginner to advanced
- Instructor certification programs

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee courses for competitions

Link to find courses: http://www.bjjagb.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BJJAGB-Coaching-Criteria.pdf

National Governing Body: British Judo Association

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- BJA Level 1, 2, 3, and Senior Coach Certifications

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee, timekeeper, and table official qualifications
- Continuous development courses, including first aid and safeguarding

Specializations:
- Kata training
- Competition coaching

They also offer safeguarding and youth engagement programs.

Link to find courses: https://www.britishjudo.org.uk/my-judo/coaching/qualifications/

National Governing Body: English Karate Federation

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- EKF Coach Licensing (Levels 1–3)
- Technical and kata-specific training programs

Overview of officiating courses:
- Official referee and judge qualifications

Specializations:
- Sports karate
- Self-defense application

Link to find courses: https://bmaba.org.uk/clubs/join/individual/#1639780036352-52d4ac9a-0288

National Governing Body: British Kendo Association

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- BKA Kendo Coaching Certifications (Levels 1–3)

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee courses for shiai (competitions)

They also offer Iaido and Jodo training as part of the kendo discipline

Link to find courses: https://www.britishkendoassociation.com/coaching/

National Governing Body: British Kickboxing Council

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- BKC Coaching Awards (Foundation to Advanced)
- Instructor certification programs

Overview of officiating courses:
- Judge and referee training

Specializations:
- Semi-contact and full-contact kickboxing
- Youth-specific programs

Link to find courses: https://the-bkc.com/coaching-development/coaching-course/

National Governing Body: England Lacrosse

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- UK Coaching Lacrosse Level 1 and Level 2

Overview of officiating courses:
- Umpiring Pathway: Beginner to Elite Umpiring certifications

They also offer team management and safeguarding courses, as well as specializations in field lacrosse and box lacrosse.

Link to find all courses: https://www.englandlacrosse.co.uk/coaching-1

National Governing Body: UK Muay Thai Federation

Overview of coacjing courses/levels:
- UKMF Coaching Levels (Foundation to Advanced)

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee and judge certifications for Muay Thai bouts

They also offer youth development and self-defense training.

Link to find courses: https://bmaba.org.uk/clubs/join/individual/#1639780036352-52d4ac9a-0288

National Governing Body: England Netball.

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- UKCC Netball Coaching Levels 1, 2, and 3

Overview of officiating courses:
- Umpiring qualifications (C Award, B Award, A Award)
- Club management and safeguarding courses

They also offer specializations in youth netball programs and performance netball coaching.

Link to find coaching courses: https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/be-involved/coaching/courses/

Link to find officiating courses: https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/get-involved/officiating/courses/

Coach Testimony - Ophelia Lieng, UCLNC President 2020/21.

I started coaching netball at 15 for the volunteering section of my Duke of Edinburgh which was only meant to last 6 months and I loved it so much I continued until I left for university. For me, I loved working with kids and helping them progress whether it be girls who just wanted to keep active or girls who aspire to one day be in the superleague. With the encouragement of my coach and the funding provided by the club I volunteered at I decided to get my UKCC Level 1 Coaching Award. The benefits from this qualification are leadership and organisational skills as well as knowing that you are a certified coach who can provide the best sessions possible to help others improve their netball abilities. 

National Governing Body: Pole Sports UK (Part of the International Pole Sports Federation - IPSF)

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- IPSF-approved Pole Fitness Instructor Levels 1–3
- Aerial arts and fitness training

Overview of officiating courses:
- Judging certifications for competitions

Link to find courses: https://polepeople.co.uk/pole-instructor-training-qualifications/teaching-intermediate-pole-fitness/

National Governing Body: British Rowing

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- UKCC Level 1–3 Rowing Coaching Pathway
- Coxing qualifications and safety certifications
- Indoor rowing instructor training

Specializations:
- Adaptive rowing
- High-performance rowing

Link to find courses: https://www.britishrowing.org/knowledge/courses-qualifications/coaching/

National Governing Body: British Rowing

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- UKCC Level 1–3 Rowing Coaching Pathway
- Coxing qualifications and safety certifications
- Indoor rowing instructor training

Specializations:
- Adaptive rowing
- High-performance rowing

Link to find courses: https://www.rya.org.uk/training/professional-qualifications/powerboat-level-2

National Governing Body: Rugby Football Union (RFU)

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Coaching Pathways: Rugby Ready, Coaching Level 1, 2, and 3

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee Qualifications: Entry-Level Referee Award, Advanced Refereeing Award

Other courses:
- Safeguarding and First Aid certifications
- Strength and Conditioning for Rugby (various levels)

Link to find coaching courses: https://www.englandrugby.com/run/coaching/coach-resources/booking-course

Link to find officiating courses: https://www.englandrugby.com/run/refereeing/become-referee/referee-courses

National Governing Body: UK Atheltics

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Athletics Coach Award Levels (Assistant Coach, Athletics Coach, and Event Group Coach)
- Leadership in Running Fitness (LiRF)
- Strength and Conditioning Coaching
- Timekeeper and Starter qualifications

Link to find courses: https://www.englandathletics.org/coaching/qualifications/

National Governing Body: British Council for Chinese Martial Arts (BCCMA)

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Coaching Levels for Kung-Fu (Instructor and Master Certification)
- Safeguarding and risk management for martial arts instructors

Overview of officiating courses:
- Competitions referee and judging qualifications

Link to find courses: https://bccma.com/product-category/courses/ngbcc/

National Governing Body: England Squash

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Coaching Levels 1, 2, and 3

Overview of officiating courses:
- Refereeing and officiating courses

Other courses:
- Club and venue management training
- Participation-focused programs like Squash 101

Link to find coaching courses: https://www.englandsquash.com/get-involved/coach/coach-development

Link to find officiating courses: https://www.englandsquash.com/get-involved/referee

National Governing Body: Swim England

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Teaching Qualifications: Swimming Teacher Level 1 and 2
- Coaching Levels for competitive swimming
- Lifeguarding and pool safety qualifications (through RLSS partnerships)
- Aqua fitness and adaptive swimming instructor training

Link to find courses: https://www.swimming.org/sport/swimming-coaching/

National Governing Body: Table Tennis England

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- UKCC Coaching Levels 1, 2, and 3

Overview of officiating certifications:
- Umpire and Referee training programs (Local to International levels)

They also offer safeguarding and club management workshops

Link to find courses: https://www.tabletennisengland.co.uk/coach-and-teach/coaching-courses/

National Governing Body: British Taekwondo

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Instructor Certification Pathway (Assistant Instructor to Senior Instructor)

Overview of officiating courses:
- Refereeing and Judging courses

They also offer Poomsae (patterns) and Sparring (kyorugi) coaching specializations.

Link to find courses: https://www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk/martial-art-coaches/

National Governing Body: Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Coaching Pathway: Level 1 (Assistant), Level 2 (Instructor), Level 3 (Coach), and above
- Disability tennis coaching

Overview of officiating courses:
- Official training for referees and line umpires

They also offer Safeguarding and Inclusion certifications.

Link to find coaching courses: https://www.lta.org.uk/roles-and-venues/coaches/qualifications/

Link to find officiating courses: https://www.lta.org.uk/roles-and-venues/officials/

National Governing Body: UK Ultimate

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- UK Ultimate Coaching Level 1 and Level 2
- Spirit of the Game (SOTG) education courses

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee and tournament director certifications

Link to find coaching courses: https://www.ukultimate.com/coach-education

National Governing Body: Volleyball England

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Coaching Awards: Level 1 (Introductory) and Level 2

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee Grades 4 to 1 (from beginner to national official)
- Safeguarding and club management courses

Link to find courses: https://volleyballengland.org/get-involved/coach/education

National Governing Body: Swim England (Water Polo Division)

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Water Polo Coaching Levels 1, 2, and 3

Overview of officiating courses:
- Referee and table official qualifications
- Safeguarding and athlete management courses

Link to find courses: https://www.swimming.org/waterpolo/water-polo-coaching/

National Governing Body: British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB)

Overview of coaching courses/levels:
- Wheelchair Basketball Coaching Level 1 and Level 2

Overview of officiating courses:
- Officiating Pathway: Table Official and Referee qualifications

They also offer inclusivity and disability sports workshops.

Link to find courses: https://learning.britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/course/index.php?categoryid=1

Coach Testimony - Issy Smith, UCL Dodgeball Men's Coach 2020/21.

Unknown to me when I went to my first taster session, dodgeball has become a sport very close to my heart. The thrill of competing with your team is incredible and coaching felt like a natural step to take alongside it. As a coach, you play a pivotal role in the success of your team, especially in preparing them for game play, and the reward isn't whether they win (although that is always a great feeling), it's the progress they make and the camaraderie between everyone that really transforms coaching into such a worthwhile experience. In addition to competitive coaching, I also coach the weekly social training sessions which are fun way to let off a bit of steam and play dodgeball in its most simple form - I get to get involved too but it means I become target no.1!

Coaching really brings me joy, I look forward to every session and I have so much pride for the club and its teams. It's just a really rewarding opportunity and I hope it's something more and more students get involved in. 

Coach Testimony - Issy Smith, UCL Cheerleading Team Captain 2020/21.

Since starting cheerleading at university, I have become obsessed with the sport and the way it encourages hard work and teamwork - it's fast paced, energetic and showcases the strength, flexibility and explosive power of its athletes. Cheer gives me the opportunity to be truly creative (the routines are insane!) and as a coach it allows me to share my passion for this sport with people whether they're experienced or complete newbies. Cheerleading is a fantastic sport to teach as, perhaps surprisingly, anyone can get involved regardless of your gender, height, weight or ability - it's unbelievably rewarding to see athletes achieve their goals whether big or small and have a ball doing it. Something that I also find key to my role as a coach is battling and setting right the stereotypes that plague Cheerleading. I have heard many stereotypes about cheerleaders, their abilities and looks and I find it important to show not just as a coach, but also as an athlete, what this sport is about and work towards displaying it in the light it deserves. 

Ultimately, being a coach for cheerleading is unbelievably fun, from staying awake at night dreaming up routine possibilities to the joy of accomplishing new stunts and seeing your vision come to life. As a coach, the team looks up to you and you are their pillar of strength. Cheerleading is hard work without a doubt and it will throw a lot of obstacles your way however it's worth all the blood, sweat and tears. The sense of community within the team and the achievement you feel when the team 'hits' is incredible. 

Coach Testimony - Nicole Ng, UCL Barbell Treasurer 2020/21.

I joined the Barbell Club as a complete beginner and have had the privilege of learning from some of the of most dedicated, charismatic and driven coaches over the years. These coaches have put in the hard work and effort into growing our niche. Due to how technical the sport is, part of becoming a better powerlifter yourself is gaining a certain amount of technical knowledge to apply. Under the supervision of our senior coaches and mentors, I was strongly encouraged to pursue a coaching qualification and mentorship to help grow the club and sport. Additionally, there aren’t many Female coaches in the powerlifting scene. I had a passion for it and have found that having a female coach in the midst of what is typically a very male dominated sport has helped the club increase it’s membership base and breakdown walls when it comes to bringing beginners and more ladies in!The best thing about coaching is seeing that spark of understanding and determination in my athletes eyes. Its really all about teaching something and making it click – that moment where we’re on the same wavelength. That’s it for me. Helping an athlete achieve their goals and ultimately integrating another person into the gym, into powerlifting, into a completely new lifestyle and attain their goals in the sport is such a huge motivation for me. Overall, we work with people and its an overwhelmingly positive experience to be making these connections and seeing them thrive.

Coach Testimony - Deborah Alawode, Elite Athlete.

Since I began weightlifting, my coach has always encouraged my teammates and I to give technical feedback to one another during training sessions, especially whenever he was not around. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to gain coaching qualifications, and to use these to help lifters at UCL, it seemed like a suitable next step in my journey. Becoming a coach will give you a better understanding of your sport, which will ultimately help you understand why you do certain exercises and how best to correct technical errors. Therefore, it not only benefits those you coach, but it will also benefit you as an athlete as well.

For me, there are two things I love about coaching. Firstly, the joy (and the challenge!) that comes with coaching another individual in your sport, and watching them improve, is incredible. Secondly, coaching is a continual learning process. There is always more to learn and understand about how best to coach and support your athletes, meaning you will never get to a stage of knowing everything!