Graduate Diploma in Sport Coaching and Leadership

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

1. Investigate, interpret and apply information regarding coaching and leadership models, behaviours and best practice across a range of sporting contexts.                                   
2. Identify physical and mental requirements of athletes across a range of sporting contexts, and plan, implement, and evaluate athlete centred programs that may utilise contemporary technology to enhance performance.                           
3. Critically appraise and reflect on coaching and leadership strategies, practice and programming for holistic athlete development and lifelong learning.                              
4. Investigate and communicate socially responsible guidelines that address a range of organisational, social, community and individual issues that reflect positive ethical culture for athletes and the wider community.                                     
5. Critically analyse and interpret research literature, sport performance data and effectively transmit information both orally and written for a variety of purposes within coaching environments.                                              
6. Articulate objective and universal truth, appreciate the intrinsic dignity of the human person, and exhibit good intellectual and moral habits.

Coach educator, coaching director, head coach, assistant coach, high performance coach, performance director, sports development manager, sport management.

Higher education

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Sport Coaching and Leadership applicants must meet the following specific requirements:

• Bachelor degree in related field; or
• Bachelor degree combined with 5 years coaching experience in semi-professional or professional sport

English Proficiency Requirements

Defined as the successful completion of secondary education or a Bachelor’s degree in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland.

Students who have English as an Additional language and are admitted on the basis of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment, or an equivalent English language proficiency assessment, are only admitted if they have attained n overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.5, with no individual band score below 6.0.

All English language tests are valid for two years from the date of completion

Applications for Advanced Standing and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be considered and reviewed on a case by case basis by UNDA's Student Administration.

The Graduate Diploma of Sport Coaching and Leadership will provide future and current coaches a clear understanding of the theory and methodological application of best practice principles that focus on holistic athlete development. Throughout the program, students explore coaching and leadership theories and behaviours, cultural issues, advanced strength and conditioning and performance analysis techniques, ethics and professional life, and integrated approaches to athlete health and performance. Students will reflect on their own coaching experience, and how coaching and leadership can influence athletic environments, performance and progress.

Recommended Study Pattern

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma of Sport Coaching and Leadership students must complete the following 8 subjects:

1 Core Curriculum subject:

• PHIL6020 Ethical Issues in Professional Life

7 Compulsory subjects:

• HLTH6008 Multidimensional Coaching Practice
• HLTH6009 Performance Technology and Analysis for Coaches
• BUSN5620 Leadership Theory and Practice
• HLTH6011 Professional Practice in High Performance Sport
• HLTH6012 Applications of Strength and Conditioning
• HLTH6013 Integrated Approaches to Athlete Health and Performance
• HLTH6014 Evidence Based Coaching Practice

Award Requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma of Sport Coaching and Leadership students must complete a minimum of 7 subjects chosen from compulsory subjects outlined in the recommended study pattern.

Exit Points

Students who have completed the award requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Sport Coaching and Leadership may apply to exit the Graduate Diploma of Sport Coaching and Leadership with this Award.