Level 2 Coaching Course 2026

Athletics Ireland Level 2 Coaching Course 

This course is aimed at Level 1 coaches who are actively working with athletes who are beginning to specialise in their event groups (+16 years of age)

Weekend 1 - September 12th & 13th 

Weekend 2 - October 10th & 11th 

Weekend 3 - November 14th & 15th   

9:00am - 5pm all days

Location for all three weekends - TBC 

Aim: At this level the coach begins to focus on event group specialisation, i.e. Sprints and Hurdles, Distance and Walks, Jumps, or Throws. This course is aimed at those who have coached at Level 1 for at least one year and who are working with athletes who themselves are beginning to specialise and develop in certain event areas. Coaches should be working with athletes who are a minimum of 16 years old and are beginning to specialise in their event disciplines. 

Content

• Planning & Periodization
• Introduction to Sports Psychology
• Long Term Athlete Development 
• Coaching the Female Athlete 
• Strength & Conditioning and Plyometrics
• Lifestyle Capacities
• Nutrition/Hydration
• Preparation for competition
• Injury Prevention and Recovery
• Testing & Monitoring
• Introduction to Physiology/Anatomy
• Technique and training progressions.
• Developing coaching skills.
• Developing event awareness and the competitive process.
• The coach will qualify in one of the 4 event group modules - (the 4 being – Sprints and Hurdles, Endurance and Walks, Throws, Jumps)

Duration

• The course will be three weekends in duration.
• All three weekends will include a mix of theory and practical work, mostly in event specific groups.
• Coaches must attend all three weekends and pass both written and practical assessments in order to be certified as a Level 2 Coach in an event area (e.g. Level 2 Jumps/ Level 2 Throws etc.)
• Note: only one event group can be completed per coach as courses run concurrently.

Entry Requirements

Level 2 is open to those active coaches who have completed Level 1 or are assimilated at Level 1 and have a minimum of 1 years coaching experience at Level 1. Coaches should be working with athletes who are a minimum of 16 years old and are beginning to specialise in their event disciplines. 

Assessment

• Attendance
• Practical Contribution
• Written Assessments

For more information contact Coach Education Manager Conor Wilson conorwilson@athleticsireland.ie