Irish FA Grassroots Introduction to Coaching Award
COURSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Anyone over 14 years of age may apply.
COURSE OUTLINE
The Irish FA’s Grassroots Introduction to Coaching Award is designed to provide an overview of the football context in Northern Ireland. Additionally, it prepares candidates who are coaching within grassroots football on the skills required as a grassroots coach, offering strategies and education on coaching development. It is an e-learning (online only) module and offers a support network to start candidates on their coaching journey.
It is specifically designed for aspiring coaches, volunteers, grassroots leaders, schools, parents and guardians working in the area of Grassroots Football with children between the ages of 5 and 12.
Participants who complete the course will be awarded a certificate which will be available to download from the platform.
Irish FA National Coaching Certificate (NCC)
Coaches who do not reside in Northern Ireland are NOT eligible for this course.
This course was previously the Irish FA Level 1.
Course Entrance Requirements
Anyone over 16 years of age may apply.
The Irish FA National Coaching Certificate prepares you to facilitate and organise coaching sessions within the grassroots game.
The coaching award has been split into two aspects:
A) Coaching children and young people (5 - 12) under the supervision of a more qualified coach in the grassroots game in Northern Ireland.
B) Facilitating coaching sessions and supporting a more qualified coach within the coaching of adults in the grassroots game in Northern Ireland.
Course Outline
- Understand your role as a coach and the importance of facilitation, organisation, safeguarding and health and safety.
- Key teaching principles when coaching children (5-12)
- Session design
- Coaching context
- Reflective practice
- Adult learning principles
The course has both theoretical and practical content which includes 24 guided learning hours with a tutor (3 practical days) and time spent completing the online tasks and uploading plans at home.
The course includes:
- Passing a practical assessment
- Completing and uploading 2x1 hour session plans online to the Irish FA e-learning platform one of which will be the session topic for assessment
- Attending the Football First Aid course
- Completing an Online Nutrition course
- Completing a Safeguarding course
- Completing the course feedback form
Candidates should bring appropriate clothing and footwear for indoor lectures and outdoor practical sessions on 3G /grass and should also bring writing materials. It is preferable that candidates bring a laptop / MacBook or tablet.
Candidates do not have to complete both modules to proceed to the Irish FA C Diploma, however they will have to complete the NCC Youth aspect before proceeding to Irish FA/UEFA Youth Modules.
UEFA C Diploma
COURSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
• Successful completion of Irish FA’s National Coaching Certificate or Irish FA Level 1 within the last six years (only applicable if the candidate is from Northern Ireland)
• The Irish FA advise candidates to be proactively coaching at a football club, as the focus is based around player development.
• The course will be delivered in English, and candidates are required to have a good command of spoken and written English.
COURSE OUTLINE
Practical Assessment:
Two assessments will be carried out during the residential block within a 5v5 and 7v7 small sided game. There will be a minimum of 2 club-based assessments as part of a “Community of Practice”. Candidates must pass at least 2 of the 3 summative assessments; one of which must be the club-based 9v9 assessment, in order to progress to the UEFA B Diploma.
If the candidate fails to meet the required practical standard in the 9v9 assessment, they will be permitted to have a maximum of two further assessments on the 9v9.
The focus of this course is preparing players and teams up to U16 level with a specific focus on player development.
Candidates are also required to submit 10 hours of session plans along with online coursework tasks such as child welfare, Psychology, Fitness + Conditioning, Nutrition for sport and player learning styles.
All tasks are to be completed and submitted via the Irish FA’s Online Education Platform.
Hours of practical pitch work including work experience 70. Hours of theory and practical tasks off the pitch 20. Total Number of education hours 90
Candidates have a maximum of one year to successfully complete all practical work and all coursework from the date they commence the course.
All candidates who successfully complete the Course will receive an UEFA C Diploma Award.
Applications for the UEFA C Diploma Course that takes place during National Coaching Weeks in 2021 have closed.
UEFA B Diploma
THE FOCUS OF THIS COURSE IS ON PREPARING PLAYERS AND TEAMS FOR YOUTH, AMATEUR AND ADULT LEAGUE TEAMS BELOW SENIOR LEVEL.
COURSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
- A minimum of 6 months should have elapsed between successful completion of the ‘C’ Diploma and enrolment for the ‘B’ Diploma.
- Hold a valid Irish FA / UEFA ‘C’ Diploma.
- Candidates must currently be working or have evidence of an ‘internship’ at U12’s or above
- Sufficient spoken and writing skills in the official course language (English)
- Non-European candidates must hold an Irish FA ‘C’ Diploma as a minimum requirement for acceptance onto the UEFA ‘B’ Diploma.
- Priority is given to coaches that have completed their ‘C’ Diploma through the Irish Football Association
COURSE OUTLINE
The course will include practical and theoretical aspects.
The Course practical elements will be delivered over a 7-day residential block and are timetabled from 9.30am to 5pm each day
The course theory will be completed online via zoom prior to the residential week
Full attendance at the course is required. Only in exceptional circumstances will candidates be permitted time off the course. (time missed on the course due to exceptional circumstance will have to be made up at a later date).
Candidates are also required to submit 25 hours of session plans and an in-season review at their club as well as other online coursework tasks from the Irish FA’s Online Platform
Practical Pitch sessions
Candidate coaches are expected to participate in practical pitch sessions throughout the course as part of staff demonstration and peer coaching sessions. However, expectations maybe made due to illness or injury.
Practical Assessment:
A Minimum of THREE practical assessments will be taken as follows:
- 2 formative assessment will be undertaken during the period of the Residential week on delivering a Functional Practice into a Phase of Play. This can be either defensive or attacking.
- The remaining summative assessment/s will be carried out within a 12-month period at your club on a selected Phase of Play.
The candidate must achieve a Pass Standard in the summative assessment.
If the candidate fails to meet the required practical standards, he/she will be permitted to have a maximum of two further re-assessments.
Candidates will be charged for re-assessment.
Candidates have a maximum of two years to successfully complete all practical work and a maximum of one year to complete all coursework from the date they commence the course.
THEORY
Candidates are required to complete all online tasks as well as submit 25 hours of Coaching Sessions and an in-season review that must be completed at their own club.
All tasks are to be completed and submitted via the Irish FA’s Online Education Platform. This platform enables candidates on the Irish FA’s UEFA courses to complete coursework tasks in electronic format, as well as session plans that enable candidates to illustrate their coaching sessions with professional, digital diagrams
ON ATTAINING THE ABOVE CRITERIA, THE CANDIDATE WILL RECEIVE AN Irish FA/UEFA ‘B’ Diploma
The UEFA B Licence is valid for three years, during which period the coach must complete a minimum of 15 hours of Continuous Professional Development in order to re-validate the diploma for a further three-year period. However, the above is not required if the coach enrols on the UEFA A Diploma within this period.
Candidates who successfully complete the UEFA B may apply after one year’s experience for the UEFA A but are not guaranteed a place on the course as selection for this course is based on specific criteria.
Candidates are advised to bring some additional clothing to supplement their Adidas course kit as the weather can be unpredictable. It is also advised that candidates bring suitable footwear for both grass and 3G pitches.
It is preferable that candidates bring a laptop / MacBook or Tablet and other writing materials for note taking during lectures and pitch session.
UEFA A Diploma
UEFA A Diploma (Year 1)
COURSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
- Hold a valid UEFA ‘B’ Diploma.
- A minimum of one year should have elapsed between successful completion of the ‘B’ Diploma and enrolment for the ‘A’ Diploma.
- Candidates must currently be working or have evidence of an ‘internship’ at U16s or above
- Sufficient spoken and writing skills in the official course language (English)
- (Non-European candidates must hold a UEFA ‘B’ Diploma as a minimum requirement for acceptance onto the UEFA ‘A’ Diploma.
- Priority is given to coaches that have completed their UEFA B Diploma through the Irish Football Association
COURSE OUTLINE
The UEFA ‘A’ Diploma is an advanced Coaching Award and is divided into two annual parts.
Year one of the Course will be conducted in 2020 and Year two will take place one year later in the summer of 2021.
Year one will include practical and theoretical aspects.
The course is timetabled from 09.30 to 21.00 each day (except the last day when the course will finish no later than 17.00)
Full attendance at the course is required. Only in exceptional circumstances with candidates be permitted time off the course.
Candidates are also required to submit 36 hours of session plans, theory questions as well as other online coursework tasks from the Irish FA’s online platform
ASSESSMENT
Practical Coaching
During Year 1 of the course, candidates will have the opportunity to take one practical coaching session – which will be a ‘formative’ assessment
Candidates will be formally assessed (summative) during the subsequent months after completion of the Year 1 Residential -
This will consist of two practical coaching assessments, one of which will be an 11v11 session and the other will be an assessment on a ‘Phase of Play’. Candidates must achieve the required standard in both assessments.
It is the responsibility of the candidate to organise the venue and the players for their club assessment – which should be undertaken at their own club)
Candidates are permitted up to a maximum of four assessments within a two-year period from commencement of the course in order to achieve the required standard. Candidates will be charged a reassessment fee if they require a third or fourth assessment.
THEORY
The focus of this course is on preparing players and teams for professional and semi-professional Leagues or top amateur Leagues.
Course content, tasks and assessments are based upon the following competencies:
• Football knowledge
• Management
• Use of technology
• Psychology
• Personal presentation and media skills
Candidates are required to submit answers to a Theory Question Paper as well as submit 36 hours of Coaching Sessions that must be completed at their own club
All tasks are to be completed and submitted via the Irish FA’s Online Education Platform. This platform enables candidates on the Irish FA’s UEFA courses to complete coursework tasks in electronic format, as well as session plans that enable candidates to illustrate their coaching sessions with professional, digital diagrams
Candidates should bring appropriate footwear for indoor lectures and outdoor practical sessions on grass.
Candidates are advised to bring some additional clothing to supplement their Adidas course kit as the weather can be unpredictable.
It is preferable that candidates bring a laptop / MacBook or Tablet
Click here to register for 2022
YEAR TWO
(This course is reserved for coaches that have attended the UEFA A Diploma Year 1 with the Irish FA)
COURSE OUTLINE
The UEFA ‘A’ Diploma is an advanced coaching Award divided into two annual parts. Year 2 consists of a Residential week that during which there are theoretical and practical sessions.
Topics covered include fitness and conditioning; media; motivation; sport psychology; game analysis and nutrition.
The focus of this course is on preparing players and teams for professional and semi-professional leagues or top amateur leagues.
The course is timetabled from 09.30 to 21.00 each day (except the last day when the course will finish no later than 17.00)
Full attendance at the course is required. Only in exceptional circumstances with candidates be permitted time off the course.
As for Year 2 of the A Diploma, the course is structured around the following competencies:
- Football knowledge
- Management
- Use of technology
- Psychology
- Personal presentation and media skills
Candidates are required complete Year 2 online modules via the Irish FA’s Online Education Platform. This platform enables candidates on the Irish FA’s UEFA courses to complete coursework tasks in electronic format, as well as session plans that enable candidates to illustrate their coaching sessions with professional, digital diagrams
Candidates should bring appropriate footwear for indoor lectures and outdoor practical sessions on grass.
Candidates are advised to bring some additional clothing to supplement their Adidas course kit as the weather can be unpredictable.
It is preferable that candidates bring a laptop / MacBook or Tablet
The UEFA A Diploma is valid for 3 years, during which period the coach must complete a minimum of 15 hours of Continuous Professional Development in order to re-validate the Licence for a further 3-year period.
However, the above is not required if the coach enrols on the UEFA Pro Diploma within this period.
UEFA Pro Diploma
The highest coaching qualification in Europe, the UEFA Pro Licence is now a mandatory requirement to manage in the Northern Ireland Football League, other European leagues and UEFA Club and international competitions.
The UEFA Pro Licence is an elite coaching qualification intended, by UEFA, only for those coaches who are currently, or who have the potential to be, working at the top professional leagues, clubs or at international level.
It is not intended to be sought by coaches as an extra qualification to add to their CV if they have not the intention to work at elite competitions level.
If it is not your intention, or if it’s unlikely you will have the opportunity to work at elite professional level, we would encourage you to find alternative courses and learning opportunities to extend your CV and improve your football knowledge without necessarily pursuing the UEFA Pro Licence.
Course entrance requirements / Criteria for selection
- Hold a valid UEFA ‘A’ Diploma
- Be from Northern Ireland
- Be from Outside Northern Ireland, but having undertaken UEFA ‘A’ Diploma with the Irish FA
- Candidates with a UEFA A Diploma, but do not meet criteria 2/3.
- A minimum of one year should have elapsed between successful completion of the ‘A’ Diploma and enrolment for the ‘Pro’ Diploma.
The UEFA Pro Diploma is valid for 3 years, during which period the coach must complete a minimum of 15 hours of Continuous Professional Development in order to re-validate the Diploma for a further 3-year period.
Applications for the UEFA Pro Diploma Course commencing in 2021 have closed. The next course will commence in 2023. Applications and other course details will be available towards the end of 2022.
Irish FA Goalkeeping Diploma
COURSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
- Candidates must have an Irish FA National Coaching Certificate
- The Irish FA advise candidates to be proactively coaching at a football club as the focus is based around player development.
COURSE OUTLINE
The course will focus on:
• Coaching individual techniques and understanding the role of the goalkeeper within the team.
• Planning and preparing coaching sessions considering the goalkeeper’s specific needs.
PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT
A total of TWO practical assessments will be taken as follows:
• Assessment 1 will be arranged on a suitable date after the course
• Assessment 2 will be arranged on a suitable date after successful completion and submission of a coaching log book and post course tasks.
COACHING LOG BOOK
A minimum of 20 hours of coaching goalkeeper sessions must be recorded and submitted. The Log Book is a record of how the coach planned, conducted and evaluated the sessions. It should display evidence of understanding the principles of goalkeeping within individual and team practices, as well the ability to assess the goalkeeper’s performance during matches. Post course tasks will also be assigned during the final day of the course.
The candidate must achieve a Pass Standard in the two practical assessments.
If the candidate fails to meet the required standard in the assessments, the candidate will be permitted a maximum of two further reassessments. There will be a charge for re-assessment.
Candidates have a maximum of two years from commencement of the Course to successfully complete the course requirements.
Candidates must attend all seminars during the 4-day course. Sessions are timetabled from 09.00 to 19.00.
The Logbook is to be completed and submitted via the Irish FA’s Online Education Platform. This platform enables candidates on the Irish FA’s courses to complete coursework tasks in electronic format, as well as session plans that enable candidates to illustrate their coaching sessions with professional, digital diagrams
Candidates should bring appropriate footwear for indoor lectures and outdoor practical sessions on grass.
Candidates are advised to bring some additional clothing to supplement their Adidas course kit as the weather can be unpredictable.
It is preferable that candidates bring a laptop / MacBook or Tablet.
Irish FA Youth Diploma
We are currently reviewing the Irish FA Youth Diploma.
Check back soon for more details.
Irish FA Level 1 Coaching Disabled Footballers Award
Course entrance requirements
Candidates must be at least 16 years of age or over.
Course outline
This coaching award is attendance based and will consist of theoretical and practical sessions. The award is at an introductory level and is designed to provide coaches with information and practical examples of how best to coach players with disabilities. There is no pre-requisite for this course although it is designed for coaches, teachers and volunteers already working or intending to work with disabled footballers.
Once booked on to the CDFA Level 1 course, you will have the opportunity to complete the online 'Irish FA Safeguarding Young Children in Sport' modules, which are included as part of your course fee.
The disabled groups in focus are learning disability, physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments. Course content includes safety considerations, communication, session planning, adapting sessions and practical working with players with disability.
Candidates should bring appropriate clothing and footwear for an indoor practical session. Candidates should also bring writing material.
The course is four hours in duration. Participants receive a certificate and coaching resources on completion.
Course Fee - £40
Irish FA Level 2 Coaching Disabled Footballers Award
Course entrance requirements
Candidates must be at least 16 years of age or over. Candidates should have also completed the Irish FA Level 1 Coaching Disabled Footballers Award and the Irish FA National Coaching Certificate or Level 1 prior to applying for this course.
Course outline
This coaching award is aimed at coaches already working with or intending to work with players with a disability. This course is a mixture of theoretical modules and practical sessions where candidates will gain experience working with players with various disabilities.
The course looks at adapting coaching techniques when working with players with a learning disability, physical disability or sensory impairment. There is also a module on the benefits of fundamental and movement skill training for the various disability groups.
This is a detailed course that also takes into consideration the playing, competitive and representative opportunities for players with various impairments and how rules are adapted for the benefit of the games in each disability group.
The course is fifteen hours in length; however, participants will be required to work for an additional ten hours with disabled players upon completion of the course. A log book of session plans, considerations and evaluation will have to be submitted and assessed before certification. Guidance for completion of this part of the course will be given by course tutors. Participants receive a certificate and coaching resources on completion.
Candidates should bring appropriate clothing and footwear for indoor and outdoor practical sessions. Candidates should also bring writing material.
CLICK HERE to register your interest
Irish FA Introduction to Futsal
The Irish FA's Introduction to Futsal Course is aimed at volunteers, parents, teachers and aspiring or existing coaches working in the area of Grassroots Football that have a desire and the confidence to start Futsal programmes within their club and community setups.
The course is 3 hours in duration, with both theoretical and practical content, looking at the game of Futsal, giving an oversight of how it is played and the benefits of playing Futsal. Participants who complete the course will be presented with an Irish FA Introduction to Futsal Certificate and resource booklet.
Candidates should bring appropriate clothing and footwear for indoor lectures and indoor practical sessions. Candidates should also bring writing materials.
Irish FA's Futsal National Coaching Certificate
The Irish FA's Futsal National Coaching Certificate is an assessed Award and an important step to progressing the game of Futsal in Northern Ireland as it looks to further develop the knowledge of the game among grassroots coaches and teacher.
The curriculum includes: Technical and Tactical Instruction, Conditioning, Set Pieces, Goalkeeping and Laws of the Game. The course is 3 days in duration (21 hours) with both theoretical and practical content.
Participants who complete the course will be presented with an Irish FA Futsal National Coaching Certificate.
Candidates will be assessed during the course on topics included in the curriculum and will also be required to complete online modules as part of the Award. Candidates should bring appropriate clothing and footwear for indoor lectures and indoor practical sessions. Candidates should also bring writing materials.