Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching and Development – Level 3

The Level 3 Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching and Development focuses on the holistic development of the practical, interpersonal and thinking skills required to be able to succeed in employment and higher education. The Extended Certificate is the first year in a suite of larger BTEC qualifications endorsed by CIMSPA.

The course is made up of three mandatory units. Students will need strong time keeping and organisational skills to excel in their studies, while also developing coaching and leadership skills for their practical assessments. The course is focussed on candidates who may wish to become sports coaches, work in sports-related jobs, or go on to study sport- focussed degrees in higher education settings.

It is advised that candidates should have existing links to sports clubs or associations in order to fulfil the coaching requirements of the course and fulfil part of their work experience placement.

Candidates are expected to have achieved English and Maths GCSE with grade 4 or higher. The majority of their other GCSEs should be grade 4 or higher so that they can effectively manage the work demands of the course. There is the opportunity to resit either English or Maths should the student’s overall grade profile support this.

It is advised that all candidates should have existing links to sports teams, clubs or associations. The course requires students to develop their coaching skills so there is an expectation that they will be motivated to deliver and take part in practical sessions – both in and out of the College environment – with a range of clients.

In year one, candidates will study mandatory units:

• Careers in the Sports and Active Leisure Industry
• Health, Wellbeing and Sport
• Developing Coaching Skills

The study programme will also include work experience totalling 72 hours, tutorial and a range of additional qualifications such as first aid, safeguarding and sports leaders awards. Alternatively students may study to resit English or Maths GCSE in place of these additional qualifications.

In year two, the units are:

• Applied Coaching Skills
• Sports Development
• Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity
• Anatomy and Physiology

This course will be delivered on-site at Broomfield Hall.

There are no additional costs. 

Students are advised to have a laptop to aid them in their studies throughout the year.

Students are expected to wear black tops (T-shirts, jumpers, hoodies etc) when in class and when representing the sports department during coaching sessions. Students are free to wear what they choose on their lower half, as long as it is suitable for the activity being undertaken.

There are DCG-branded options to purchase should students wish to do so. This is not, however, mandatory: we merely expect compliance with our colour code.

If you also join one of our sports academies, you may be required to purchase an academy-specific uniform which is an additional cost set by that academy.

There will be ongoing assessment throughout the year. Each unit will be split into a number of assignments and assessed against the unit content. These assessments will be graded on a Pass, Merit or Distinction basis.

Assessments will be a mixture of presentations, reports, practicals and essays, and will form your portfolio of evidence.

Time keeping and organisation skills will need to be strong in order to meet your assessment deadlines throughout the year. It is expected that your attendance will be maintained above 95% throughout the year.

This course is CIMSPA endorsed.

This is the first year of a three-year suite of qualifications in Sports Coaching and Development. If students meet the course expectations in their first year, they have the option to enrol for year two. Here they will study the Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development and have the chance to progress to the third year, the Extended Diploma.

This course is fully mapped to the professional standards of “Assistant Coach” and “Safeguarding and Protecting Children” and is endorsed by CIMSPA. Successful candidates may wish to pursue a career in coaching or go on to study a Sports Coaching degree at DCG or other higher education providers.

Students may also wish to expand their knowledge and continue their studies in other sports-related courses at Broomfield Hall.

Other courses that may be of interest are:

• Level 3 Diploma in Sports Therapy
• Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instruction
• Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training