Duration
1 Year
Course may be subject to change.
Build the practical skills, knowledge and confidence you need to take your first steps towards a career in the sport industry. This Level 2 Diploma in Sports Coaching will introduce you to key principles of sports coaching, fitness and strength and conditioning, helping you understand what it takes to support individuals and teams to improve their performance.
You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience using our modern gym facilities, putting your learning into practice in a supportive environment. You’ll also undertake a work placement, giving you the opportunity to experience a real working environment, develop your coaching skills and gain a valuable insight into the sports industry.
Entry Criteria
You will hold a minimum of four GCSEs at grade D, including maths and English.
What are the next steps?
As part of the application process, you’ll have the opportunity to meet a member of the course team and get a feel for what it’s like to study Sports Coaching at New College Durham.
You’ll find out more about the course, discuss your interests and goals, and explore the facilities you’ll use during your studies. It’s also a chance to talk through your options and make sure this is the right course for you.
Please bring your GCSE results or predicted grades, along with details of any other relevant qualifications you may have.
Study Aims
This course is designed to give you the introductory knowledge, practical skills and confidence you need to take your first steps towards a career in sport and active leisure. You’ll develop an understanding of the industry while building the skills employers and further and higher education providers value.
You’ll have the opportunity to choose a pathway and select units that align with your career interests or future study plans, helping you shape your learning around your ambitions.
Throughout the course, you will:
Develop practical and vocational skills relevant to the sport and active leisure sector.
Build your knowledge and understanding of the sports industry and the range of opportunities available within it.
Develop essential employability skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving and professional practice.
Gain the confidence and skills to progress into employment or further and higher education.
Prepare for your next step through full-time or part-time study, depending on your chosen progression route.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a stronger understanding of the sport and active leisure sector and the skills to progress towards employment or further study.
Modules Studied
You’ll develop a broad foundation in sports coaching, combining practical experience with an understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to support participation and performance.
Mandatory units
Participating in Sport Develop your practical sporting skills and understanding of what it takes to participate effectively in sport. You’ll explore areas such as performance, teamwork and personal development while building your confidence in a sporting environment.
Sports Coaching Learn the principles of effective coaching and how to support individuals and teams to improve their performance. You’ll develop your communication, organisation and coaching skills and have opportunities to put them into practice.
Developing Sporting Skills and Tactical Awareness Explore how sporting skills and tactics can be developed to improve performance. You’ll learn to analyse performance, understand tactical decision-making and apply this knowledge to practical sporting situations.
Optional units
Depending on your chosen pathway and interests, you may study areas including:
Strength and Conditioning Training Explore how strength and conditioning can support sporting performance. You’ll develop an understanding of fitness components, training principles and how appropriate activities can be used to improve physical performance.
Performance Analysis for Sport Learn how performance can be observed, recorded and analysed to identify strengths and areas for improvement. You’ll develop skills that can be applied to support athletes, teams and coaches.
Psychology for Sports Performance Explore the psychological factors that can influence sporting performance, including motivation, confidence, concentration and managing pressure. You’ll consider how psychological approaches can support athletes in reaching their potential.
Plan, Deliver and Evaluate an Activity Session Develop practical coaching skills by learning how to plan, deliver and review an activity session. You’ll consider the needs of participants, set appropriate objectives and reflect on the effectiveness of your session to identify ways to improve.
Times of Delivery
The programme is delivered Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm.
Day
Teaching hours
Monday
9am – 4pm
Tuesday
9am – 4pm
Wednesday
9am – 4pm
Thursday
9am – 4pm
Friday
9am – 4pm
Your specific timetable, including lesson times and any changes to the standard schedule, will be confirmed at the start of your programme.
Any times indicated are based on current courses and may be subject to change in future years. Full timetables will be confirmed at the start of each course.
Teaching and Assessment
You’ll experience a combination of practical and classroom-based learning, giving you the opportunity to develop your knowledge while putting your coaching and sporting skills into practice.
Our approach is designed to help you build confidence, develop practical experience and understand how the principles you learn can be applied in real sporting environments.
You’ll be assessed through a range of methods, including:
Observation of performance – demonstrate your practical skills in coaching and sporting activities.
Workbooks – complete structured activities to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding.
Portfolios – collect evidence of your learning, development and practical skills.
Written assignments – explore key topics in greater depth and demonstrate your understanding of the sport and coaching sector.
You’ll receive support and feedback throughout your studies, helping you recognise your strengths, identify areas for development and make progress towards your future goals.
Industry Links
Our Sports department has developed strong links with employers, organisations and industry specialists across the local area. These connections help bring your learning to life, giving you opportunities to gain insight into the sport industry and understand how the skills you develop can be applied in professional settings.
Our industry links include:
Durham & Chester-le-Street School Sport Partnership
Team Durham
Newcastle United Foundation
Durham County Council
County Durham Sport
These links can provide valuable opportunities to engage with the wider sporting community, learn from industry professionals and develop a greater understanding of the career opportunities available within sport and active leisure.
Placement
As part of the course, you’ll undertake a meaningful work placement within the sport industry, giving you the opportunity to take your learning beyond the classroom and gain valuable hands-on experience.
You’ll develop your practical and professional skills in a real working environment, while gaining a better understanding of what it’s like to work within the sports sector. A placement can also help you build confidence, make industry connections and explore potential career pathways.
Completing the Level 2 Diploma in Sports Coaching can give you a strong foundation for your next step in sport and active leisure. You could progress onto one of the Level 3 Sports courses at New College Durham, allowing you to build on the knowledge and practical skills you’ve developed and prepare for further study or a future career in the sport industry. The experience you gain through practical learning and your work placement will also help you make informed decisions about your future and the pathway you want to pursue.
