Direct Entry Scheme
British Triathlon Direct Entry Recognised Prior Learning | Application Process
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 Award based on your prior learning, experience, and qualification(s).
Applications are reviewed by the British Triathlon tutors, as assigned by the British Triathlon Coaching Team, assessing your suitability for fast track onto the British Triathlon Group Coach Award.
The Process
Direct Entry applicants should:
- Read the criteria for Direct Entry and apply if you meet the criteria.
- Complete your request form via the British Triathlon website after selecting a Group Coach course.
- The British Triathlon Coaching Team will process your request and assign you a tutor, usually from the course you selected.
- Your tutor will contact you for a 30-45 minute phone assessment.
- After the assessment, the tutor will provide feedback to the Coaching Team, and you will be informed of the outcome and next steps.
Essential Requirements | Applicants must demonstrate evidence of:
- Your involvement in triathlon or swim, bike and run for two years including shadowing of triathlon coaching sessions.
- A thorough understanding of group coaching in the sporting sector, relevant to swim, bike, run.
- Understand the basic technical components of triathlon (swim, bike, run & transition).
- Be a minimum of 18 years old.
Must also hold at least one of the following:
- A formal coaching qualification in any sport, ideally related to swim, bike, or run.
- A higher education qualification in sport for example Sports Coaching Degree.
- Hold a recognised teaching qualification e.g., PGCE tutoring PE, Sport and Exercise Science or Sports Coaching.
- A fitness industry qualification (Level 3 or equivalent award) must be facilitating group sessions.
The Direct Entry applicant will be expected to demonstrate:
- Preparation of a basic session plan.
- Understanding of the importance of health and safety and participant welfare, including Risk Assessment, Emergency Action Plan (EAP) & Registers.
- Fundamental coaching skills of how to coach.
- Ability to evaluate and reflect on their own coaching practice.
- Experience of facilitating as at least an assistant group coach in a live coaching environment.
- Understanding of triathlon sanctions and rules.
Additional Information
If your tutor isn’t duly satisfied with the evidence and answers provided during the conversation, tutors can request additional evidence from you including:
- Example of a session plan or risk assessment.
- Reflection from a prior session delivery.
- Video evidence of you delivering a coaching session.
- A statement of support from your club or a coach you have coached with highlighting your suitability as a Group Coach considering the entry criteria.
To complete the Group Coach Award, you must coach a series of practical triathlon sessions in your own coaching environment. Therefore, it’s recommended to have access to a suitable coaching environment and any mentor support you may require from a more qualified/experienced coach before enrolling on this course.
Safeguarding
All coaches, over the age of 18 years of age who coach athletes under 18 years of age, must complete and retain safeguarding training. This can be done before or during your course, however, your tutor won’t sign you off as complete until you have completed the safeguarding training and uploaded a certificate on to Learning Hub. This is an extra cost of up to £20. Without this, you will not be sanctioned or insured to coach athletes under 18 years of age, once qualified to do so.
The safeguarding training must be:
PVG / DBS
All coaches working with Children (U18s) and in regulated activity/work must hold
- In England and Wales: an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (England and Wales) check, and where required with a check against the bared list with British Triathlon
- In Scotland: Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) (Scotland) and where required with a check against the bared list with British Triathlon
Information about these checks and how to apply for one is provided on Learning Hub.
Direct Entry to Group Coach
Following your application for Direct Entry, a British Triathlon tutor will contact you for a 30 to 45-minute phone call. During this call, the tutor will ask questions to verify your level of knowledge and experience. Example questions that you might be asked include:
- When preparing for your session please tell us what documentation you would complete and have in place?
- Can you describe common activities and coaching points used by coaches to develop swimming technique?
- Can you name and describe the purpose of two running drills which have different aims?
Successful applicants will have access to all Foundation Coach materials through Learning Hub if signed off for Direct Entry to Group Coach.
Conditions and fees for Direct Entry
There will be a £60 non-refundable fee for Direct Entry application, and your place is subject to screening by a British Triathlon tutor. You must pay the full course fee of £525 at booking and if not successful, you’ll receive a refund minus the Direct Entry fee (£60). The total cost for Direct Entry is £585.
Independent coaches not affiliated with a triathlon club should consider their application carefully, as they need to shadow and be mentored by a club coach, and complete assessments in a club environment.
Learners who are accepted on to Group Coach Direct Entry will be required to pay additional fees for reassessment if they don’t meet the standards required on course. Fees will be determined by the reassessment time required.
Learners who are accepted on to Group Coach Direct Entry will be required to pay additional fees for reassessment if they don’t meet the standards required on course. Fees will be determined by the reassessment time required.
We also reserve the right to remove a learner from the course with no return of course fee if false or exaggerated information is supplied in the direct entry process.
