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) - Youth
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.
Irish FA National Coaching Certificate (NCC) - Amateur Game
Further Information will be available soon.
UEFA C Diploma (Regional Course)
A UEFA C Diploma Regional course is for candidates based in Northern Ireland only.
The Course content is exactly the same on both courses.
COURSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
- Candidates must be 18 years or over on the first day of the course
- 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
The Irish FA reserves the right to use the following criteria should there be higher demand for places than we can accommodate:
- The candidate is based or was born in Northern Ireland
- The candidate is actively coaching
- We may ask for candidates to submit a CV
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The UEFA C Diploma is the highest participation award in the Irish FA coaching pathway. It provides coach candidates with the skills to provide a positive developmental experience that enhances players enjoyment, knowledge, and skill regardless of age, ability, gender or background.
The focus of this course is to educate coaches to develop players and prepare teams.
To provide coach candidates with the skills, qualities, and attributes to plan, deliver and reflect on coaching sessions for grassroots players. The course has a specific emphasis on developing players aged 10+ and with an emphasis on the principles of play. It will provide theoretical and practical advice on 4 key areas:
Hours
1. Coach 22
2. Environment 11
3. Player 20
4. Game 25
Total Hours 78
COURSE OUTLINE
The course will include practical days and online workshops.
Practical Assessments
Two formative assessments will be carried out during the practical week within a 5v5 and 7v7 small-sided game. There will be a minimum of 2 club-based assessments (one formative and one summative) as part of a ‘Community of Practise’. This will be in a 9v9 format.
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. Any reassessments will be at an additional cost to the candidate. You must pass your assessments within three years of the last practical day of the course.
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, exceptions can be made due to illness or injury.
WHAT IS COMMUNTIES OF PRACTISE?
A group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. A collection of coaches working at similar levels, sharing knowledge and ideas of good practice, supported by a Coach Educator. An Irish FA staff member will oversee each Communities of Practise providing support to candidates.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates are required to
- Attend the practical days which will be delivered over a 6-day practical week and are timetabled from 09:00 to 17.00 each day
- Attend 3 online workshops pre and post the practical weeks
- Complete and Submit Self Evaluation Task
- Submit 10 hours of session plans
- Complete online Safeguarding Modules
- Attend Psychology Workshop and complete online task
- Attend Fitness for Football practical module
- Attend Nutrition for sport Workshop and complete online task
- Attend Laws of the Game practical module
- Submit coaching report and reflections from Summative and Formative Assessments as part of Communities of Practise
Full attendance of the course is required. This includes all practical days and online workshops. Only in exceptional circumstances will candidates be permitted time off the course. (This time must be made up at a later date).
All tasks are to be completed and submitted via the Irish FA’s Online Education Platform.
COMPLETION
Candidates have a maximum of three years to successfully complete all practical work and all coursework from the date they commence the course.
There must be a minimum of six months from when you receive your UEFA C Diploma before you can attend a UEFA B Diploma. You can apply before completion, but your application will depend on the completion of your UEFA C Diploma within the specified timeframe.
All candidates who successfully complete the course will receive an UEFA C Diploma.
CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
The UEFA C Licence is valid for three years, during which period the coach must complete a minimum of 15 credits of CPD 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 B Diploma within this period.
UEFA C Diploma
COURSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
- Candidates must be 18 years or over on the first day of the course
- 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)
- Any coach from outside Northern Ireland must have a valid coaching qualification equivalent or higher than the Irish FA NCC
- 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
The Irish FA reserves the right to use the following criteria should there be higher demand for places than we can accommodate:
- The candidate is based or was born in Northern Ireland
- The candidate is actively coaching
- We may ask for candidates to submit a CV
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The UEFA C Diploma is the highest participation award in the Irish FA coaching pathway. It provides coach candidates with the skills to provide a positive developmental experience that enhances players enjoyment, knowledge, and skill regardless of age, ability, gender or background.
The focus of this course is to educate coaches to develop players and prepare teams.
To provide coach candidates with the skills, qualities, and attributes to plan, deliver and reflect on coaching sessions for grassroots players. The course has a specific emphasis on developing players aged 10+ and with an emphasis on the principles of play. It will provide theoretical and practical advice on 4 key areas:
Hours
1. Coach 22
2. Environment 11
3. Player 20
4. Game 25
Total Hours 78
COURSE OUTLINE
The course will include practical days and online workshops.
Practical Assessments
Two formative assessments will be carried out during the practical week within a 5v5 and 7v7 small-sided game. There will be a minimum of 2 club-based assessments (one formative and one summative) as part of a ‘Community of Practise’. This will be in a 9v9 format.
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. Any reassessments will be at an additional cost to the candidate. You must pass your assessments within three years of the last practical day of the course.
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, exceptions can be made due to illness or injury.
WHAT IS COMMUNTIES OF PRACTISE?
A group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. A collection of coaches working at similar levels, sharing knowledge and ideas of good practice, supported by a Coach Educator. An Irish FA staff member will oversee each Communities of Practise providing support to candidates.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates are required to
- Attend the practical days which will be delivered over a 6-day practical week and are timetabled from 09:00 to 17.00 each day
- Attend 3 online workshops pre and post the practical weeks
- Complete and Submit Self Evaluation Task
- Submit 10 hours of session plans
- Complete online Safeguarding Modules
- Attend Psychology Workshop and complete online task
- Attend Fitness for Football practical module
- Attend Nutrition for sport Workshop and complete online task
- Attend Laws of the Game practical module
- Submit coaching report and reflections from Summative and Formative Assessments as part of Communities of Practise
Full attendance of the course is required. This includes all practical days and online workshops. Only in exceptional circumstances will candidates be permitted time off the course. (This time must be made up at a later date).
All tasks are to be completed and submitted via the Irish FA’s Online Education Platform.
COMPLETION
Candidates have a maximum of three years to successfully complete all practical work and all coursework from the date they commence the course.
There must be a minimum of six months from when you receive your UEFA C Diploma before you can attend a UEFA B Diploma. You can apply before completion, but your application will depend on the completion of your UEFA C Diploma within the specified timeframe.
All candidates who successfully complete the course will receive an UEFA C Diploma.
CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
The UEFA C Licence is valid for three years, during which period the coach must complete a minimum of 15 credits of CPD 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 B Diploma within this period.
UEFA B Diploma
COURSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
• A minimum of six months should have elapsed between successful completion of the UEFA C Diploma and enrolment for the UEFA B Diploma
• Hold a valid UEFA / Irish FA C Diploma (no equivalencies accepted)
• Candidates must currently be working or have evidence of an internship at U12s or above
• The course will be delivered in English, and candidates are required to have a good command of spoken and written English
• Priority is given to coaches that have completed their C Diploma through the Irish Football Association
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The focus of this course is preparing players and teams for youth, amateur and adult league teams’ below senior level.
COURSE OUTLINE
The course will include practical days and online theoretical aspects. The course theory will be split between face-to-face workshops and distance learning workshops.
Practical Assessments
A minimum of three practical assessments will be taken as follows:
Two formative assessments will be undertaken during the period of the practical week on delivering a Functional Practice into a Phase of Play. This can be either defensive or attacking.
The remaining summative assessment will be carried out within a 12-month period at your club, as part of a 'Community of Practise', 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, they will be permitted to have a maximum of two further re-assessments.
Candidates will be charged for re-assessment.
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, exceptions can be made due to illness or injury.
WHAT IS COMMUNTIES OF PRACTISE?
A group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. A collection of coaches working at similar levels, sharing knowledge and ideas of good practice, supported by a Coach Educator. An Irish FA staff member will oversee each Communities of Practise providing support to candidates.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates are required to
- Attend the practical days which will be delivered over a 7-day practical week and are timetabled from 09:00 to 21.00 each day
- Attend xx online workshops pre and post the practical weeks
- Complete and Submit Self Evaluation Task
- Submit 25 hours of session plans
- Complete online Safeguarding Modules
- Attend Psychology Workshop and complete online task
- Attend Fitness for Football practical module and complete periodisation task
- Attend Nutrition for sport Workshop and complete online task
- Attend Sports Medicine Workshop and complete online task
- Attend Performance Analysis Workshop and complete online task
- Submit coaching report and reflections from Summative and Formative Assessments as part of Communities of Practise
Full attendance of the course is required. This includes all practical days and online workshops.
Only in exceptional circumstances will candidates be permitted time off the course. (This time must be made up at a later date).
All online tasks are to be completed and submitted via the Irish FA’s Online Education Platform.
COMPLETION
Candidates have a maximum of three years 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 B Diploma.
When successfully completing all practical and theoretical elements of the UEFA B Diploma, candidates who have one year’s coaching experience may apply for the UEFA A Diploma but are not guaranteed a place on the course as selection for this course is based on specific criteria.
CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
The UEFA B Licence is valid for three years, during which period the coach must complete a minimum of 15 credits of CPD 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.
UEFA A Diploma
COURSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
• Hold a valid UEFA B Diploma (no equivalencies accepted)
• A minimum of one year’s coaching experience should have elapsed between successful completion of the UEFA B Diploma and enrolment on the UEFA A Diploma
• Candidates must currently be working or have evidence of an internship at U16s or above to be considered
• The course will be delivered in English, and candidates are required to have a good command of spoken and written English
• Priority is given to coaches that have completed their UEFA B Diploma through the Irish Football Association
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The UEFA A Diploma is an advanced Coaching Award and the focus of this course is on preparing players and teams for professional and semi-professional Leagues or top amateur Leagues.
COURSE OUTLINE
The course is delivered in two separate blocks in two separate years.
Both blocks will include practical and theoretical aspects. The course theory will be split between face-to-face workshops and distance learning workshops.
Face to face will be delivered during the practical week and the distance learning workshops will be delivered either before or after the practical week at a prescheduled time.
Theory
The course content, tasks and assessments are based upon the following competencies:
• Football knowledge
• Management
• Use of technology
• Psychology
• Personal presentation and media skills.
Practical Assessments
During both practical blocks, the candidates will have the opportunity to take practical coaching sessions individually and as part of a team. These will be in the form of formative assessments.
Candidates will also be assessed during the subsequent months after completion of both Block One and Two. There will be a summative assessment after Block Two on phases of play and 11v11 sessions. This will be one scenario to be coached for a one hour session (excluding warm up and debrief).
Candidates are permitted to be reassessed a maximum of four times over a three-year period from commencement of the course in order to achieve the required standard. Candidates will be charged a reassessment fee if they require additional assessments.
It is the responsibility of the candidate to organise the venue and the players for their club assessment – which must be undertaken at their club with their players.
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, exceptions can be made due to illness or injury.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates are required to
- Attend the practical days which will be delivered over a 7-day practical week and are timetabled from 09:00 to 21.00 each day
- Attend xx online workshops pre and post the practical weeks
- Complete and Submit Self Evaluation Task
- Submit 36 hours of session plans
- Complete online Safeguarding Modules
- Attend Sports Psychology Workshop
- Attend Fitness for Football practical module and complete periodisation task
- Complete technical periodisation task
- Complete Football Theory Task
- Complete Online Personal Development Task
- Attend Nutrition for sport Workshop and complete online task
- Attend Sports Medicine Workshop and complete online task
- Attend Football Analysis Workshop
- Submit coaching report and reflections from Summative and Formative Assessments as part of Communities of Practise
Full attendance of the course is required. This includes all practical days and online workshops.
Only in exceptional circumstances will candidates be permitted time off the course. (This time must be made up at a later date).
All online tasks are to be completed and submitted via the Irish FA’s Online Education Platform.
WHAT IS COMMUNTIES OF PRACTISE?
A group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. A collection of coaches working at similar levels, sharing knowledge and ideas of good practice, supported by a Coach Educator. An Irish FA staff member will oversee each Communities of Practise providing support to candidates.
COMPLETION
Candidates have a maximum of three years to successfully complete all elements of the course from the date they commence the course.
When successfully completing all practical and theoretical elements of the course, the candidate will receive an UEFA A Diploma.
CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The UEFA A Diploma 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 Licence for a further three-year period.
However, the above is not required if the coach enrols on the UEFA Pro Diploma within this period.
UEFA Pro Diploma
Applications open for Irish FA | UEFA Pro Diploma Course 2023/2024
Applications are now being sought for the upcoming Irish FA | UEFA Pro Diploma Course due to commence in May 2023.
The highest coaching qualification in Europe, the UEFA Pro Licence is now a mandatory requirement to manage an Irish League Club playing in European Competitions, other European Leagues and UEFA Club and International competitions.
Click here to view further information you may find useful before submitting your application.
Criteria for application
- Candidates must hold a valid UEFA A Licence
- Have completed at least one year’s coaching experience, after graduating with the UEFA A licence, as a head coach at elite youth or senior amateur level, or as an assistant coach in professional football.
- Applicants must also possess sufficient spoken and written skills in the official course language, which is English
Application Process
All applications received by the closing date of 5.00pm (BST) on Fri 14 October 2022 will be considered.
Applicants must submit the following:
UEFA Pro Diploma 2023/2024 Application Form
A short CV (no longer than 2 x A4 pages) to include:
Coaching experience
Playing experience
Any other relevant experience
Please email this to lorna.stewart@irishfa.com
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.
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.
Course fee - £150
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.