Accreditation

National Coaching Accreditation Program

As the National Sporting Organisation (NSO) the AJF is required, as part of its recognition by the Australian Sports Commission / Sport Australia, to develop and maintain a national coaching framework. This obligation is further recognised within the strategic objectives of the AJF that detail accountability for the development and accreditation of coaches and officials in each of the martial arts represented. This accountability is managed through the AJF’s National Coaching / Officiating Development Program, and administered in accordance with our constitution, embracing coaching and officiating at all levels within the disciplines of: Aikido; Aiki Jujitsu; Brazilian Jiu Jitsu; Hapkido; Jui Jitsu; Jujitsu; Jujutsu; and Kenpo Jujitsu, throughout Australia.

[The following information dates before COVID-19 … at this time all accreditation courses are on hold and we will update members as soon as the situation changes]

Coaching and officiating new direction 2020

The scheduling of accreditation courses is currently delayed – let us explain why

Just under 2-years ago the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) now also known as ‘Sport Australia’, introduced major changes to what were the NCAS and NOAS programs. These changes introduced on 1st July 2018 shifted greater accountability and independence towards NSOs for the development of both coaches and officials.

During the past year a review on the success of those changes, has been held within Sport Australia. We understand the details and recommendations of that review are yet to be finalised, and we anticipate more information and importantly the implications for NSOs being available hopefully before our Annual General Meeting 28th March.

[UPDATE due to current circumstances this has been delayed … as soon as we have more information we will update members]

Aside from what might come from Sport Australia, the AJF board have also been reviewing both the content and delivery of our accreditation programs in an endeavour to identify ways of making these more accessible. However, any change we might make will need to be compliant with the awaited announcements by Sport Australia.

The AJF board is at all times very mindful of the cost, time and effort in potentially developing and introducing a new program and have therefore decided to delay the scheduling of accreditation courses in anticipation of the Sport Australia announcements. As members will be aware the AJF receives no financial support from Sport Australia, relying on membership contributions and the valuable voluntary efforts of our board and state representatives.

Members are however encouraged to express interest in attending an accreditation course by completing an Expression of Interest HERE.

PLEASE NOTE

In light of the explanation above on potential changes to our accreditation courses the course details below may change and have been left in place at this time for information.

To select the right course level for yourself, before completing your registration to attend
please read the details below

Membership – To achieve and retain accreditation you do need to be a member within either a member school or an associate member school of the AJF – refer to either ‘Find a School’ or ‘Membership’ on this website.

Course Registration and Cost – To register, complete and submit the course registration form. The cost is $310.00 for attending the Level 1 or the level 2 course. Registration and payment is required to be received in full not later than five weeks before the advertised course date – payment options and details are included on the registration form. Course registration includes:

Attendance
All course materials
Morning and afternoon tea (lunch is not provided)
Coaching accreditation upon satisfactory completion of the course and post course requirements
Linked to your school, accreditation is valid for four-years.

Please note: Registrations are not transferable between parties and if you are unable to attend please see the AJF Refund and Cancellation Policy. Refund and Cancellation Policy – The AJF Refund policy is limited to the following circumstances and time-frames:

Notification of withdrawal in writing 4 weeks prior to course date REFUND LESS $ 25.00
Notification of withdrawal less than 4 weeks prior to course date NO REFUND. Where due to special and unavoidable circumstance consideration may be given to providing a credit, less $75.00 towards the next available course within 18 months.

Additional information

Working with Children

All coaches 18-years and over are required to hold or obtain evidence of having satisfied the appropriate clearance stipulated in the State or Territory in which you coach. This evidence may be provided at or after the course prior to issue of accreditation.

First Aid Certificate HLTAID0003

Level 2 accredited coaches are required to hold a St. John or equivalent First Aid Certification (HLTAID0003), previously known as Apply first aid or Senior first aid. Confirmation may be provided at or after the course prior to issue of accreditation.

School Credentials

An accredited coach will be coaching within a member or associate member school that has provided evidence of: grade and lineage for the head of that school in Australia; formal structure; satisfactory rules of grading; and details of the schools criteria for grade progression.

Note. This criteria has already been satisfied by all ‘member schools’, and many ‘associate member schools’ and if not already satisfied may be provided after the course prior to issue of accreditation.

Accreditation Levels

Within the approved AJF program of accreditation Level 1 and Level 2 may be achieved through satisfactory completion of this course. Note. A person is not required to first attend a level 1 course if they qualify to attend Level 2.

Criteria for Level 1 and Level 2 Coach Accreditation

Which course is right for you – Level 1 or Level 2

Accredited Assistant Coach – Level 1 This course is suitable for persons (minimum age 17-years) who have attained an appropriate senior grade below black belt, as determined by the associate or member school and agreed with the AJF … and who will be assisting with the coaching within a school (club) with a more senior accredited coach in attendance. Note if you have attained a Dan grade or one level below a Dan grade, Level 1 is not available; if your grade is equivalent to a high Kyu rank you should confirm the suitability of Level 1 to your situation.

Additional Information – The course duration is one-day starting at 7:45 am and concluding at 6:00 pm. This is the first day of a two-day course, with all requirements for Level 1 accreditation including a mentored assessment, being satisfied within the first day. Assistant coach candidates are however encouraged to attend the full second day of the course, which will provide credit for progression to a Coach Level 2 – without the requirement to re-attend if progressed within two-years.

Level 1 Course Objectives Include

1. AJF and the NCAP Program

2. The Role of a Coach – Understand the role of an accredited coach / official, and the skills required to be an effective practitioner.

Understand the role and structure of the AJF and the requirements for accreditation
A personal commitment to a code of behaviour
Identify the roles and information needs of the coach
Develop a coaching philosophy
Demonstrate awareness of the officiating program.

3. Effective Communication – Use a range of communication, coaching and behaviour management strategies, while coaching an individual or group.

Understand factors that enhance effective communication
Working with associations, students, parents, officials, and administrators
Effective management and organisation of a class or group
Managing both individual and group behaviour

4. Managing the Environment – Health and Safety, Member Protection Policy and Anti-doping Policy

Implement health care and injury management procedures
Understand the requirements of a Member Protection Policy
Understand the requirements of a Anti-doping Policy.

5. Working with Children – understand the special requirements of coaching children.

Be aware of the legal responsibilities of the Coach
Appreciate why children participate.

6. Managing the Environment – Responsibilities and the law; current legislation; risk management

Explain and implement the legal responsibilities of the coach and or official
Develop a Risk Management Plan.

7. Planning in Coaching – Provide a safe and healthy learning environment

Planning for success
Session planning for developing students through a schools grading system and authority, to the level as determined by personal grade and competency.
Review your approach to coaching
Improving your coaching performance.

ACTIVITY … Complete Level One Assessment

8. Human movement Part 1 anatomy and physiology … and … 9. Energy for sport … are both Level 2

10. Exercise/Sport physiology

Energy systems; physical development, maturation.

Accredited Coach – Level 2 This course is suitable for persons (minimum age 18-years) who have attained an appropriate senior grade level as determined by the associate or member school and agreed with the AJF. Achieving Level 1 is not a prerequisite for Level 2.

Additional Information – The course duration is two-days (see note below) starting at 7:45 am and concluding by 6:00 pm both days. Plus there will be post-course assignments that include the conduct of a coaching session to be assessed by a nominated mentor, details on venue and date for assessment will be confirmed at the course.

Level 2 Course – Day 1 Objectives Modules 1 to 8 Include

Level 2 Course – Day 1 Objectives Modules 1 to 10 Include:

1. AJF and the NCAP Program

2. The Role of a Coach – Understand the role of an accredited coach / official, and the skills required to be an effective practitioner.

Understand the role and structure of the AJF and the requirements for accreditation
A personal commitment to a code of behaviour
Identify the roles and information needs of the coach
Develop a coaching philosophy
Demonstrate awareness of the officiating program.

3. Effective Communication – Use a range of communication, coaching and behaviour management strategies, while coaching an individual or group.

Understand factors that enhance effective communication
Working with associations, students, parents, officials, and administrators
Effective management and organisation of a class or group
Managing both individual and group behaviour

4. Managing the Environment – Health and Safety, Member Protection Policy and Anti-doping Policy

Implement health care and injury management procedures
Understand the requirements of a Member Protection Policy
Understand the requirements of a Anti-doping Policy.

5. Working with Children – understand the special requirements of coaching children.

Be aware of the legal responsibilities of the Coach
Appreciate why children participate.

6. Managing the Environment – Responsibilities and the law; current legislation; risk management

Explain and implement the legal responsibilities of the coach and or official
Develop a Risk Management Plan.

7. Planning in Coaching – Provide a safe and healthy learning environment

Planning for success
Session planning for developing students through a schools grading system and authority, to the level as determined by personal grade and competency.
Review your approach to coaching
Improving your coaching performance.

8. Human movement Part 1

Outline the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body and the application to your discipline.

9. Energy for sport

Assist students to use nutritional strategies for sports performance.

10. Exercise/Sport physiology

Energy systems; physical development, maturation.
Outline the fundamentals of the energy system
Identify the balance between each of the components of fitness and the types of strength within the style of your school
Develop appropriate exercise with attention to growth and development.

Level 2 course – Day 2 objectives modules 9 to 12 include:

(NOTE. Level 1 candidates are encouraged to attend Day 2)

11. Introduction to Learning and Performance Psychology

A definition – Human behaviour and Motivation
Understand the stages of learning in developing a student
Understand the theory and application of the principles of perception, evaluation, decision and response/reaction
Appreciate the physiological factors affecting reaction
Understand an example of motivation reinforcement theory.

12. Physiology and Human Movement – Part 2 – Bio-mechanics motion, centralisation, ki

Recognise structures and movement of the body in order to analyse performance
Prepare for conducting a coaching session and teaching the basic bio-mechanics of a technique.

13. Human Movement – Part 3 – Skills (Qualitative) Analysis

Understand the importance of the three phases: preparatory, execution, and follow-through … to the analyse of performance
Breakdown the components and specific skills to be taught in coaching a given technique.

14-16. Skills Analysis and Coaching: motion, force and atemi; throwing, projections, sweeps, and take-downs; immobilisations and grappling.

Breakdown the components and specific skills to be taught in coaching/teaching a given technique
Conduct a coaching session to teach the key principles and aspects of a selected technique
Analyse the performance and identify the key factors of a particular skill.

Level 1 to Level 2 progression with full course attendance credit (see above) Candidate needs to register for an advertised course that falls within the stipulated two-year period and confirm their credit entitlement. They will not be attending the course however will be included with those candidates completing the Level 2 assignment criteria. The re-accreditation fee will be $50.00 which is to be paid prior to the advertised date of the course.

Current Level 2 Renewal First day morning concession – an accredited Coach Level 2 who has not satisfied the Update criteria for re-accreditation over the 4-years, and registers to re-attend a course … provided their accreditation is renewed prior to the expiry of four-years they may choose not to attend for modules 1 to 5 of the morning session on the first day … these modules are noted above. The required time for attendance on Day-one would therefore be by 12:00 pm in-lieu of 7:45 am.

INQUIRIES AND MORE INFORMATION If you have a question or seeking clarification … please contact your State Representative or State/Regional Director … refer to CONTACT on this website, or use the ‘Contact by Email’ option on the same page.

Updated June 2019