Group Coach
To advance the knowledge, skills, and competencies of individuals who have completed a Foundation Coach or Level 1 qualification in triathlon coaching. The course is designed to prepare participants to independently plan, prepare, deliver, and evaluate coaching sessions, as well as mentor and oversee other coaches. Upon completion, participants will be capable of helping athletes prepare for triathlon racing.
Below is a summary of the Group Coach qualification. For full qualification details, please click here.
Pre-requisites and Eligibility Criteria
- Aged 18 years +
- Valid Workforce Licence
- Level 1 or Foundation Coach qualification or entry through the direct entry scheme
What will I learn?
The course covers:
- The role and responsibilities of a Group Coach.
- How to plan, deliver, and evaluate safe and effective coaching sessions and programmes.
- Good practices, professional ethics, values, and adherence to. legislation, while ensuring a safe coaching environment.
- How to engage and support athletes.
- Understand key Triathlon techniques and race tactics for swimming, cycling, running, and transitions.
- Sports science principles.
- Developing as a Group Coach and developing the coaching team.
A full description of learning outcomes can be found in the qualification fact sheet here.
Format and Duration
The course includes one 1.5-hour online workshop, four self-led online learning modules, and two face-to-face development days. The workshop and development days are facilitated by a BTF tutor, with the development day featuring practical sessions and a chance to coach a 15-minute session.
The average person will need to devote approximately 44 hours completing this qualification, with 17.5 of those hours being guided by the tutor.
Assessment
The course includes four assessment tasks:
- Planning and delivering a 15-minute coaching activity. You will deliver the activity during the second face-to-face development day, with a group of other learners on your course participating and the course tutor observing.
- Planning, delivering, and evaluating a full coaching programme consisting of 6 sessions to a group of participants in your own coaching environment. This will involve:
- Identifying a participant group and creating a profile.
- Creating an outline plan of your coaching programme and planning each individual session.
- Delivering and evaluating each individual session.
- Holistically evaluating the coaching programme.
To complete this task, you will also be expected to submit video evidence showing you coaching a section of one of the coaching sessions.
- Planning, delivering, and evaluating a single coaching session in your own coaching environment. To complete this task, you will be expected to submit video evidence showing you coaching a section of the coaching session.
- Engage in a 30-minute professional discussion with your course tutor. The discussion will serve as an opportunity for you to showcase your coaching journey and demonstrate your coaching abilities, as evidenced in the previous assessment tasks.
Additional Information
To complete the Foundation Coach Award, you must coach practical triathlon sessions in your own coaching environment. These sessions need to be supervised by a more qualified coach (Level 2/Group Coach or above), who will provide a witness testimony confirming your coaching and offering development points. Therefore, it’s recommended to have access to a suitable coaching environment and supervisor before enrolling on this course.
All coaches, over the age of 18 years of age, who are delivering to under 18’s, must complete and retain Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport, (CWPS) training which can be done before or during your course, however, must be in place prior to completion of your course. This costs £20 however is free to everyone signed up on the course. Without this, you will not be sanctioned or insured to coach once qualified to do so. For further details please see here.
If you do not hold the British Triathlon Foundation Coach or British Triathlon Level 1 Coaching qualification you may be able to enter the Group Coach course based on your prior learning, experience, and qualification(s). Find out more about the Direct Entry scheme here.
Once qualified, what will my remit be?
As a Group Coach you will have the following remit:
- Independently plan, prepare, deliver, and evaluate coaching sessions to groups of participants (minimum of 3, maximum depends on activity and is listed in Coaching Guidelines), and supervise fellow coaches.
- Plan & deliver a series of structured and progressive sessions incorporating basic and intermediate skills techniques, independently of a higher-level coach.
- Support Foundation and Level 1 coaches to deliver and develop.
CIMSPA Endorsed
The Group Coach Award is endorsed by CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity), meaning our course meets all the requirements of CIMSPA’s Coach Professional Standard. Once you qualify, you’re eligible to become a CIMSPA Practitioner member. This membership confirms to employers, clients, colleagues, and the public that you’ve got the necessary qualifications and keep up with continuous professional development (CPD). It’s a straightforward way to show you’re on top of your game in the coaching world. To find out more, click here.
Price
Cost: £525
Should you wish to apply for subsidy, please complete the application form here and await approval of subsidy before booking on the course. You will be given a unique code to use, if you are successful with your funding application.
Upcoming Courses:
Group Course – Stirling University
- Wednesday 2 September 2026 – online 6.30-8.00pm
- Sunday 27 September 2026 – (9am – 5pm) – in person – Stirling University, Stirling
- Sunday 11 October 2026 (9am – 5pm) – in person – Stirling University, Stirling – book here
