Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development

The Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development is intended for post-16 learners who wish to progress to employment. The two-year, full-time qualification has been developed in consultation with employers and professional bodies. This ensures it is appropriate and consistent with current industry practice and allows students to enter employment directly in sports coaching and development roles.

Additionally, higher education institutions have been consulted to ensure that the qualification allows appropriate progression for those aspiring to higher-level study, with the added advantage of using this qualification to obtain part-time employment while studying.

This qualification consists of the following mandatory and selected optional specialist units.

Mandatory Units

The following seven mandatory units allow the development of technical skills, supported by underpinning knowledge, and gives the opportunity to relate the skills and knowledge to the sports coaching industry. Preparing students to work independently as a coach and give the skills and expertise needed to coach at all levels of sports ability for both children and adults.

• Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry

  The Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry unit provides the skills and knowledge needed to apply for a career in the sport and active leisure industry.

• Health, Wellbeing and Sport

  The Health, Wellbeing and Sport unit explores the importance of physical activity and wellbeing for different types of participants and suggest ways to improve their physical and mental health status.

• Developing Coaching Skills

  The Developing Coaching Skills unit develops coaching knowledge and skills to help improve others' performance skills, techniques and tactics across a range of sports.

• Applied Coaching Skills

  The Applied Coaching Skills unit provides additional underpinning knowledge, skills and experience for working as an independent coach.

• Research Project in Sport

  The Research Project in Sport unit supports students in carrying out independent research in a related topic to build research skills and experience that supports progression to higher education.

• Sport Development

  The Sport Development explores the principles of sport development, the key agencies involved and provide practical examples of current practice.

• Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity

  The Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity unit develops knowledge and understanding of self-employment and applies this to develop a self-employment strategy within the context of the sport industry.

Optional Specialist Units

Students will also study five optional specialist units (as determined by WUC Course lead) from the following:

• Sports Psychology
• Nutrition for Physical Performance
• Anatomy and Physiology in Sport
• Sporting Injuries
• Functional Sports Massage
• Fitness Testing
• Fitness Training
• Technical and Tactical Skills in Sport
• Rules, Regulations and Officiating in Sport
• Practical Sports Application
• Influence of Technology in Sport and Physical Activity
• Organising Events in Sport and Physical Activities
• Ethical and Current Issues in Sport
• Marketing Communications
• Corporate Social Responsibility in Sport
• Sport and Leisure Facility Operations
• Sports Tourism
• School Sport Delivery

The optional specialist units allow students to increase their breadth of understanding of working in the coaching industry. For example, how to deal with sports injuries, sport psychology to support the mental health and sporting progress of participants, fitness testing to assess the fitness of participants, and technical and tactical skills to develop participants' key techniques and skills.

The following information provides students with the entry requirements for this particular course.

• 5 GCSEs at Grade 9-4 or A*-C
• Must include English, Maths and Science
• Satisfactory references from most recent school, college or employer

Please note:
Alternative qualifications or experience will be considered on application.

Units are assessed using a wide variety of methods including through forms of written, practical assessment and presentation assessment.

This qualification is focused primarily on progression to employment as a coach.

Learners will gain the skills and expertise to work with beginners up to high-level performers.

Possible job roles include:

• Community coach
• Sport-specific school coach
• Sport-specific after-school coach
• Weekend multi-sports holiday coach

With additional qualifications, possible job roles include:

• Performance analysis
• Grounds keeping
• Refereeing
• Strength and conditioning
• Nutritionist
• Physiotherapist

Educational Progression

This qualification also provides the opportunity to progress to further study in higher education studying a related degree programme, particularly in the areas of Sport and Exercise Science, Performance Analysis, Coaching, Sport Psychology or Physical Education.

The qualification is mapped to the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) 'Coach' and 'Safeguarding and Protecting Children' professional standards. CIMSPA endorsement allows learners to apply for CIMSPA membership after successfully completing this programme, and is therefore recognised by employers as being suitable for entry to employment in the role of a multi-skills sports coach in the sport development sector. CIMSPA members are able to continue to develop their careers through industry-endorsed Continuing Professional Development programmes.