06.03.2007

Professional development coaching funds announced

Athletics Australia has great delight in announcing significant professional development funds available for coaches, clubs and member associations to initiate specific coach development programs.

The 2004 ASC and Athletics Australia review recommended that Athletics Australia accept responsibility for the development and support of its coaches. Further, it recommended that clinics, workshops and demonstrations be conducted around the country, utilising both visiting international experts and our own domestic specialist coaches.  

The Athletics Australia Professional Development Fund for Coaches provides some of the financial support required to drive a vibrant program of clinics, workshops and development opportunities for coaches throughout Australia.  

The professional development fund has a number of components. Details about the entire program of professional development can be found here.

Three exciting initiatives for coaches are as follows:

Category A funding
This fund is available for individual coaches who are eligible, under the criteria, to apply for funding to attend workshops, clinics, conferences, course and other appropriate professional development programs. Funding will be available to cover course or registration fees, travel and accommodation costs.

Category B funding
This fund is available to assist coaches to plan and conduct workshops and clinics that utilise specialist coaches with national or international reputations in areas of specific coaching knowledge, skills and/or in event areas.  

Program initiatives must be inclusive for groups of coaches, incorporating identified networks or groups of specific coaches (eg. Australian Track and Field Coaches Association state branches, Institute and Academy of Sport networks, elite coaches, youth, development, juniors, regional, club coaches etc.)

To be eligible for funding, programs will be required to demonstrate they have support of a member association and one or more of the ATFCA, the SIS/SAS network or clubs. Support may be in cash or in-kind.  

Category C funding – Coaching Assistance Fund For International Competition
The Coaching Assistance Fund for International Competition assists the costs for coaches to travel with their athletes to international competition.

This fund recognises that in most cases, the coach will enhance an athlete’s experience and performance in international competition and this fund seeks to make the costs of travel less of a burden on the individual coach. In addition, Athletics Australia understands the important development opportunity that international experience can provide for the coach. The opportunity for a coach to acquire knowledge, to share experiences, to be exposed to a variety of coaching styles and learn is a significant feature of international competition and this fund seeks to facilitate this level of development.

To be eligible for funding in this area, coaches will need to prepare an international competition plan, include a budget and meet the funding criteria based on the performance of their athletes in the current domestic season.

Details of each category of funding is available here. In addition, application forms and timelines will be available.

Coaching is the energy that gives our sport its life and must be cherished, developed and protected to ensure the sport has a successful future. Athletics Australia is excited by the potential that this funding offers to individual coaches, groups and member associations and we look forward to the opportunities it provides.

For further information contact:  
Mick Poulton
National Coaching Coordinator
Email: michael.poulton@athletics.org.au