The majority of Softball Australia's coaching courses are conducted as part of the National Coach Accreditation Scheme (NCAS). The NCAS is a sequential coacheducation and development program offering courses at 6 levels and provides coaches with a nationally recognised accreditation.

The 6 levels of coaching are based on the Long Term Athlete Development philosophy of player centred and coach led. The Australian Coaching Accreditation Pathway and the Accreditation Scheme Overview further outlines the 6 levels of the coach education program below.

• Level 1 – FUNdamentals of Softball – Parents and Teachers
• Level 2 – Training to Train – Club/Association Junior
• Level 3 – Training to Compete – Club/Association
• Level 4 – Training to Win – State/Nationals
• Level 5 – Advanced Performance – State/National
• Level 6 – High Performance – National/International

The rationale for the content of Levels 1-5 is based on the premise that there are 2 major areas of skill and knowledge required by a Softball coach these include:

• The need to be able to teach the skills of the game during practice sessions, which is the focus of levels 1-3
• The requirement to organise and lead the team during games and this is the focus of levels 4-5
• The focus of Level 6 is advanced coaching knowledge for those coaches wishing to work at the high performance level.

While many coaches enter Softball wanting to support their child, there is a reputable pathway that can be followed to progress through each level of the coaching pathway.

Benefits of being an accredited coach vary and include:

• For the coach:
  • Provides national recognition of efforts and abilities
  • Increases knowledge and expertise
  • Increases confidence and competence in coaching
  • Builds self-esteem
  • Enhances employment opportunities.

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• For players:
  • Better instruction
  • Increased levels of success at all levels
  • Safer participation environments
  • Greater enjoyment
  • Lower drop out rates at junior levels
  • Increased self-esteem.

• For parents and guardians:
  • Increased confidence that their child is receiving professional instruction from a quality coach
  • Offers the correct guidance
  • Reinforces coaching is in a controlled and safe environment.

Softball coaching accreditation courses are conducted at regular intervals. To register for an accreditation course please contact us.

Sports Accreditation Online (SAO) is the ASC's information management system for national sporting organisations including Softball Australia and is currently available to accredited coaches and official members.

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The benefits of SAO for accredited coaches include:

• View accreditation details
• Exclusive access to Sports Coach and Sports Official online magazines
• Print a certificate of accreditation
• View/print a summary page of all accreditation and training details
• View current information and news from the ASC and NSOs
• Update personal and contact details.

The National Coaches Accreditation Scheme updating policy requires all accredited coaches to participate in a variety of education activities to maintain their accreditation status. The benefits of updating accreditation status include:

• Keeping up-to-date with current coaching techniques and methods
• Staying abreast of rule changes
• Reinforcing the coaching environment is safe for all participants
• Reducing the likelihood of coaches becoming involved in legal action.

Coaching Accreditation Updating Requirements (Updating Requirements and Updating Brochure):

• Coaches may update their accreditation by completing the next level of accreditation or achieving a total of 100 points over 4 years. Coaches at Levels 4-6 coaches must achieve a maximum of 25 points per year and a minimum of 20 points in each category
• Coaches must use the NCAS Up-date logbook to validate their updating activities, which is available at Softball Australia or can be provided by NCAS when registering or re-registering
• When up-dating is completed, the coach forwards the log book and the NCAS registration fee to their State Softball Association.