All of the coach awards have been re-written in the last three years to reflect the modern game and its requirements. We have completed four years of an ambitious National Tutor and Assessor training programme to ensure that all courses are delivered in the same way and that all the paperwork and course content has been standardised.
There are currently four coaching awards, not including the Leadership Certificate, which is now a generic certificate including umpiring and administration. Click on the course title for more information.
For further information on course dates and venues, please contact your Regional Offices or go to the Find a Course page.
HA and AEWHA Coach Awards
The old HA and AEWHA Awards are still recognised as qualifications if you have a certificate of proof. However, it is essential that you keep up to date with technical and tactical developments as well as the generic requirements. See the coach licensing section for details of what is required. Once coach licensing is implemented hockey will only recognise ‘Active Coaches’ for club accreditations and as recognition for employment in County Sports Partnerships and Local Authorities.
The VRQ Coach Awards require a large amount of underpinning theory knowledge that was not covered in the old awards system. The game has also progressed greatly with different playing surfaces, which require different technique and tactical knowledge. Unless you have been fully involved in the game and can prove CPD you will need to ensure you attend refresher courses in the future.
If you have an enquiry about your 'old' award please email coaching@englandhockey.org
Funding and cost of courses
Generally, the minimum costs are as follows:
Level 1 £140
Level 2 £390
Level 3 £850
Level 4 £2,200
Tutor costs, pitch hire and room hire must be taken into account. Assessors must be paid to assess and mark the portfolios, along with Internal Verifiers who act as ‘quality controllers’ of the awards. Many candidates do not pay the full amount as schools offer to use their CPD budget to pay. Active Sports/ County Sports Partnerships and Local Authorities sponsor many coaches and a lot of clubs, counties and regions successfully apply for Awards for All Grants to subsidise their coaches.
Level 3 Workshops / CPD for Level 2, 3 and 4 coaches
Level 3 workshops will take place in June and July in Leeds and Hungerford . These workshops are modules towards the level 3 award and are also ideal CPD for level 2 and above coaches. The majority this year are being led by England Women Under 18 coach and NPC coach Martin Rodgers and will cover core skills required and develop tactical aspects of play in the following topics.
- Unit Play
- Attacking Outletting
- Attacking the final third
- Goal Scoring
- Team Defence
Practical work and video presentation will cover all topics except Goal Keeping which will be led practically by Simon Mason and Malcolm Pratt
Do not miss this opportunity to develop your coaching
Coaching Insurance
England Hockey strongly recommends that all coaches have public liability insurance and coaches are personally responsible for ensuring that they are fully covered. England Hockey is offering an excellent cover through the Gold package in its new membership scheme. The cover provides liability protection to the value of £5,000,000 and applies while coaching any club or any school at any time in any place. Legal Defence and Personal Accident cover is also included. For further details please click here www.englandhockey.co.uk/membership. Coaches from Levels 1-4 can gain insurance.
