A coach should keep learning, too.
We ask athletes to invest in their development. We believe their coaches should do the same.
Qualifications matter because they establish a foundation of knowledge and demonstrate a willingness to be challenged and assessed. They are the beginning of professional development, not the end.
For us, a coach who is unwilling to invest further in education is missing an essential part of the attitude needed to coach well. Good coaches question their assumptions, stay open to new evidence and keep developing the skills they bring to each athlete.
Insurance matters.
Appropriate, current coaching insurance is an essential part of responsible practice. Qualifications and insurance belong together: cover may depend on a coach holding a recognised qualification and working within its scope.
For example, British Triathlon’s coaching cover is conditional on the coach’s qualification, training and compliance with its guidelines. Working outside that remit can leave the coaching activity without cover.
A qualification alone does not prove that insurance is in place, and a coach’s liability policy does not automatically provide you with personal accident cover. Ask about current qualifications, the activities the policy covers and any protection you need for yourself.
Read British Triathlon’s coaching insurance guidance
