Snow Australia Coach Education Framework

Snow Australia is pleased to present our new coach education framework. This framework was produced after a coaching pathways review undertaken in consultation with the APSI, Sport Australia and Leaders of Evolution.

The Coach Education Framework includes both generic and discipline specific Snow Australia online modules, face-to-face discipline specific practical workshops, as well as mandatory external online modules delivered by Sport Australia and other national expert bodies.

Download Snow Australia Coaching Framework

Foundation Coach Accreditation (Level 1)

Coaching is the foundation of participation and performance in any sport. Snow Australia’s Foundation Level coaching courses are aimed at instructors, ex-athletes and other prospective winter sport coaches beginning their coaching journey. The courses consists of both internal Snow Australia and external online components, as well as face-to-face practical sessions. Most of the theoretical content is delivered in Snow Australia's new e-learning courses, which consist of bite-size modules.

While there is some minor differences between disciplines, in general full Level 1 accreditation includes the following requirements:

• Completion of the Snow Australia Introduction to Coaching online course
• Completion of at least one of the Snow Australia Discipline Fundamentals Online courses:
  - Alpine
  - Cross Country
  - Freestyle
  - Snowboard
• Attend the relevant Snow Australia discipline specific Fundamentals Practical workshops:
  - Alpine On-Snow
  - Cross Country Dryland & On-Snow
  - Freestyle On-Snow
  - Snowboard On-Snow
• Completion of the Sport Australia Community Coach General Principles online course
• Completion of the Play By The Rules Child Protection online course
• Completion of the Sport Integrity Australia Coaches Course and Level 1 Anti-Doping Course 

In addition, accredited Snow Australia coaches must be current members, possess current Working With Children Checks (or other state equivalent), and have current 1st Aid qualifications. For the Alpine, Freestyle and Snowboard disciplines,  APSI Instructor qualifications are also a pre-requisite.

Talent Development Coach Accreditation (Level 2)

At the Talent Development Level Snow Australia's coaching pathways become individualised through the selection of different modules relevant to the coaches activities. A coach leading international teams may have different skill priorities compared to a coach working predominanlty within an Australian based pathway program. Some modules are discipline specific while others are generic across Snow Australia's skiing and snowboarding disciplines. Different areas of Sport Science are covered through Sport Australia's Intermediate Coaching modules.

The content of the Level 2 modules are currently being developed in consultation with Snow Australia discipline coaches and National Institute Network (NIN) sport science experts. The roll-out of these modules is expected to begin in late 2021.

High Performance Coaching

Snow Australia's Coach Academy program provides a High Performance coaching pathway for targeted coaches working at the higher end of the athlete development pathway.

Snow Australia Coaching Framework

Coach Accreditation Updating

To maintain coaching accreditation all Snow Australia coaches are required to update their accreditation every four years. Updating ensures that coaches stay abreast of rule changes in their sport and are aware of the prevailing techniques and coaching methods. Further information is available on the Coach Update page.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Candidates may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for some or all components of the Level 1 Coaching Fundamentals course if they are able to supply sufficient evidence of the relevant required competencies. Such evidence may include current international accreditation at an equivalent level. Contact coaching@snow.org.au for additional information.