Coach Development
There are a number of ways the AFF supports the development of coaches. Coaching is managed by the High Performance Commission (HPC). These include:
- Working with National Coaching Team (either remotely or by application for visits. Some visits can be funded by AFF).
- National Squad Workshops (by invitation)
- National Squad Camps (by invitation)
- National Squad Tours (by appointment of HPC)
- National Coaching Mobility Program (by invitation)
- Non-official International coaching (free)
- FIE Coach Academy (by application)
- Stints O/S working with specific coaches (sometimes can be funded by AFF, otherwise at own cost)
- International Competitions
- Other initiatives
If you are interested in any of the coach development opportunities, please get in contact with the HPC at either admin.hpc@fencing.org.au or chair.hpc@fencing.org.au
Accreditation
The following sets out the requirements for progressing through the AFF Coaching Accreditation System, and maintaining the level.
Level Zero
To become a Level Zero Fencing Coach in Australia, you must:
- Undertake the AFF Level Zero Coaching Course online. (Please see here)
- Be a member of your State Association.
- Complete the ASC Community Coaching Essentials Skills course.
- Have a current Working With Children (or equivalent in your state) check.
- Sign a Child Protection Conditions Agreement, please see here.
- Complete a First Aid course (one course from HTLAID010 through to HTLAID015).
To remain recognised as a level Level Zero fencing coach, you must:
- Maintain membership of your State Association.
- Complete the ASC Community Coaching Essentials Skills course each 4 years.
- Have a current Working With Children (or equivalent in your state) check.
- Sign a Child Protection Conditions Agreement each time you receive a new Working With Children check and when your coaching level increases, please see here.
- Complete a First Aid course (one course from HTLAID010 through to HTLAID015) each 3 years.
Accreditation Application
If you wish to undertake Level Zero accreditation please see here.
Level One
To become a Level One fencing coach in Australia, you must:
- Undertake State Level One coaching Course and practical exam (Please see here)
- Undertake National Level One exam online.
- Be a member of your State Association.
- Complete the ASC Community Coaching Essentials Skills course.
- Have a current Working With Children (or equivalent in your state) check.
- Sign a Child Protection Conditions Agreement, please see here.
- Complete a First Aid course (one course from HTLAID010 through to HTLAID015).
To remain recognised as a level Level One fencing coach, you must:
- Maintain membership of your State Association.
- Complete the ASC Community Coaching Essentials Skills course each 4 years.
- Have a current Working With Children (or equivalent in your state) check.
- Sign a Child Protection Conditions Agreement each time you receive a new Working With Children check and when your coaching level increases, please see here.
- Complete a First Aid course (one course from HTLAID010 through to HTLAID015) each 3 years.
- provide coaching to fencers within the last 24 months.
Accreditation Application
If you have already undertaken Level One at State Level and wish to undertake the National Level One Exam, please see here.
If you wish to apply for Level One using Recognised Prior Learning, please see here.
Level Two
Level Two fencing coaches in Australia, are:
- Reserved predominantly for coaches working with National Squad Athletes or progressing toward working with National Squad.
- Assessed by the High Performance Commission (HPC) on coaching abilities, coaching qualities, and/or recognised prior learning. (See Coach Characteristics List here and Recognised Prior Learning here).
- Must undertake an AFF online referee exam in the weapon accrediting in. (Whether a coach wishes to accredit as a referee is entirely up to them, as they would be required to undertake a practical exam). (TO BE ADVISED)
- Be a member of their State Association.
- Complete the ASC Community Coaching Essentials Skills course.
- Have a current Working With Children (or equivalent in your state) check.
- Sign a Child Protection Conditions Agreement, please see here.
- Complete a First Aid course (one course from HTLAID010 through to HTLAID015).
To remain recognised as a level Level Two fencing coach:
- If the level has been held for less than 5 years or was granted after 30, June 2023: they must have worked with the National Squad within the previous 12 months
- Be working with the National Squad including
- working with athletes who are in the National Squad,
- engagement with the National Coaching Team,
- attending National Squad workshops and camps, or
- appointed by AFF to travel with National Squad Internationally.
- they must maintain membership of their State Association.
- they must complete the ASC Community Coaching Essentials Skills course each 4 years.
- they must have a current Working With Children (or equivalent in your state) check.
- Sign a Child Protection Conditions Agreement each time you receive a new Working With Children check and when your coaching level increases, please see here.
- they must complete a First Aid course (one course from HTLAID010 through to HTLAID015) each 3 years.
Accreditation Application
If you wish to apply for Level Two, please contact admin.hpc@fencing.org.au, or chair.hpc@fencing.org.au.
If you wish to apply for Level Two using Recognised Prior Learning, please see here.
Note: If the Level Two was granted before June 2023, the coach is exempted from the requirement to work with the National Squad to maintain their level.
Level Three
Level Three fencing coach in Australia:
- Is reserved solely for coaches who are:
- actively working with the National Squad; OR
- have held the Level three for greater than five years.
- Is assessed by the High Performance Commission (HPC) on coaching abilities, coaching qualities, and/or recognised prior learning. (See Coach Characteristics List here and Recognised Prior Learning here).
- Be a member of their State Association.
- Complete the ASC Community Coaching Essentials Skills course.
- Have a current Working With Children (or equivalent in your state) check.
- Sign a Child Protection Conditions Agreement, please see here.
- Complete a First Aid course (one course from HTLAID010 through to HTLAID015).
To remain recognised as a level Level Three fencing coach, they must:
- If the level has been held for less than 5 years or was granted after 30, June 2023: they must have worked with the National Squad within the previous 12 months
- Be working with the National Squad including
- working with a number of athletes who are in the National Squad,
- meaningful engagement with the National Coaching Team,
- attending National Squad workshops and camps, or
- appointed by AFF to travel with National Squad Internationally.
- they must maintain membership of their State Association.
- they must complete the ASC Community Coaching Essentials Skills course each 4 years.
- they must have a current Working With Children (or equivalent in your state) check.
- Sign a Child Protection Conditions Agreement each time you receive a new Working With Children check, please see here.
- they must complete a First Aid course (one course from HTLAID010 through to HTLAID015) each 3 years.
Accreditation Application
If you wish to apply for Level Three, please contact admin.hpc@fencing.org.au, or chair.hpc@fencing.org.au.
If you wish to apply for Level Three using Recognised Prior Learning, please see here.
Note: If the Level Three was granted before June 2023, the coach is exempted from the requirement to work with the National Squad to maintain their level.