FUN-damentals of Coaching

This is for coaches working with 4-9 year old players.

The theory part of this award is done online through NZF Learn, and should take around 1 hour to complete.

Please select WaiBOP as your Football Federation. Ideally, you would complete the theory before the practical session.

The practical, in person, part of this course is offered throughout the year depending on demand.

You need to register for the Date and Location of the practical session you wish to attend. 

NZF Youth Level 1

This course covers the basics of coaching the 13-19 year old age groups.

This course will help you provide safe and inclusive environments that provide the right conditions for the growth and enjoyment of the game.

The theory part of this award is done online through NZF Learn, and should take around 3 hours to complete. There is no cost. Please select WaiBOP as your Football Federation. 

The practical, in person, part of this course is offered throughout the year depending on demand.

Ideally, you would complete the theory before the practical session.

Scheduled sessions for the practical sessions are listed below. You need to register for the Date and Location of the practical session you wish to attend, as well as for the theory.

Senior Level 1 Coaching Award

The Senior Level One Coaching Award is for coaches working with Adult Players age 20+. 

The theory part of this award is done online through NZF Learn, and should take around 2-3 hours to complete. There is no cost. Please select WaiBOP as your Football Federation. ​​​​​​​

Practical modules will be listed as they are scheduled. 

Senior Level 1 Coaching Award

The Senior Level One Coaching Award is for coaches working with Senior Players age 20+. The course is aimed at coaches who want to develop a deeper understanding of how to meet the needs of their senior players in this phase. The course takes the coach through a range of modules targeting specific knowledge and skills to develop a great environment for their players and culminates with a practical module that brings much of this knowledge together.

To gain your award, you must complete all of the modules in the online course, and complete the practical module.We recommend setting aside around 2-3 hours to complete the online work.

Register for the online module here

Practical modules will be listed as they are scheduled. 

​​​​​​​Cost: FREE.

​​​​​​​COACH EDUCATION - COACHING FOR TODAY AND INTO THE FUTURE

The number of football coaches in New Zealand is growing. With the quality and number of coaches increasing, this is an exciting time for football coaching in New Zealand.

To help coaches get the best out of themselves and their players, NZF’s Coach Education framework offers a range of high-quality flexible options ranging from junior and youth football right through to courses for coaches working in the senior competitive arena.

The comprehensive Coach Education Pathway is available to assist with any coach’s development, regardless of age or experience. The content of the courses on offer will have  a direct impact on the development of our players; whether that be with grassroots or high performance squads.

There are three age-related pathways so that coaches can choose relevant and applicable learning opportunities that are specific to their coaching needs. 

COACH EDUCATION PRINCIPLES

The New Zealand Football and WaiBOP Football approach is founded on the following principles:

• Appropriate for New Zealand – reflective of New Zealand’s unique culture and football environment.
• Flexible – providing coaches with more choice and a higher degree of ownership in selecting and following their own development pathway.
• Player Centred – based on the needs of the players and designed to meet the age-related development needs of players throughout the game.
• Applicable and practical – ‘on-the job learning’ experiences (creating and recognising learning experiences in the coaching environment).
• Life-long learning – promoting continued personal development and self-responsibility for learning.

The new approach will provide a myriad of learning opportunities that allow coaches to identify and access personal development that corresponds with the players they are coaching and their specific developmental needs.

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL COACH EDUCATION - DUAL PATHWAY SYSTEM

There is a course for all coaches at whatever level they choose to work at.

For coaches working in the Participation pillar of the Whole of Football Plan there is the Community Pathway, and for coaches working in the Talent pillar there is the Advanced Pathway.

The Community Pathway is aimed at coaches who prefer to coach primarily at grassroots level and are perhaps not ambitious about coaching at higher levels. These community courses are designed to teach how to prepare, deliver, organise, and conduct safe and enjoyable, age-related training sessions

The Advanced Pathway is for coaches who have aspirations to coach at a high level and who may eventually wish to coach at the professional level. These courses demand a significant investment of time and commitment.

Coaches can elect to start on the Community Pathway and gain experience, perhaps choosing to access the Advanced Pathway in time.

It is not a prerequisite to undertake the Community courses before progressing to the Advanced Pathway. The entry level for the advanced courses are the NZF Junior Level 3 and OFC/NZF C Licence Coaching Awards.

PREREQUISITES – COMMUNITY COURSES

All Courses: Prior to registration on any accredited courses, candidates are required to be at least 16 years of age (18 years of age for Senior courses). Applications for candidates below the recommended age of 16 years will be assessed on an individual basis by Football Development Officer (FDO) in conjunction with the Football Development Manager (FDM) at the relevant Federation.

Level 2 Courses: Have completed the age group appropriate Level 1 Football Coaching Award. 

Accreditation: Achievement of these qualifications is based on full attendance at the workshops. Upon completion, a licensed New Zealand Football Coach Educator will register candidate completion of the award on COMET (NZF online database of registered coaches).

PREREQUISITES – ADVANCED COURSES

All Courses: These courses are administered and led by New Zealand Football with support from the relevant Federation. The NZF Junior Level 3 and OFC/NZF C Licence are the entry points to the advanced pathway. It is no longer a prerequisite to undertake the Community courses before progressing.

Accreditation: Achievement of these qualifications is based on full attendance at the workshops along with completing the video assessment procedure.

The accreditations for all courses are valid for 3 years from the date of completion. To remain accredited all coaches then must accrue 100 points during the 3 year cycle under the NZF Coach Points system. This is a system which keeps accreditations active on an ongoing basis while also ensuring all coaches are kept up to date with the evolution of the NZF Coach Development pathway.