Sport, Coaching and Development Level 3

If you’re passionate about sport, coaching and helping others improve, the NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity – Sports Coaching pathway is a two-year course designed to develop your coaching, leadership, practical and professional skills.

You’ll explore how to plan and deliver effective coaching sessions, develop athletes and teams, analyse performance and support participants to achieve their goals. You’ll combine practical sport with classroom learning and work-related experiences.

Across the two years, you will study topics including:

• Sports Coaching - develop your ability to plan, deliver and evaluate effective coaching sessions
• Technical and Tactical Skills - understand how skills and tactics influence sporting performance
• Practical Team and Individual Sports - develop your own sporting ability across a range of activities
• Fitness Testing and Physical Activity - learn how to assess fitness and develop appropriate training
• Strength and Conditioning - explore how training can improve fitness and sporting performance
• Sports Nutrition - understand how nutrition supports health, training and performance
• The Athlete Lifestyle - explore the lifestyle factors that can influence an athlete’s performance
• Exercise, Health and Lifestyle - understand the relationship between physical activity, health and wellbeing
• Sports Psychology - explore the mental factors that can affect sporting performance
• Sports Injuries - understand common injuries, prevention and rehabilitation
• Analysis of Sports Performance - develop skills to observe and evaluate sporting performance
• Ethics and Values in Sport - explore professional standards and important issues within sport
• Organising Sports Events - develop the skills needed to plan and deliver sporting events
• Work Experience in Sport - gain valuable experience within the sports and leisure industry.

The course is highly practical, giving you opportunities to coach, participate, lead and develop your own sporting performance.

You will take part in coaching sessions, fitness activities, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, team and individual sports and sports events.

You will also have opportunities for enrichment such as outdoor challenges, university visits, sports facilities and specialist coaching environments.

Alongside your study programme, you may also have the opportunity to take part in the Manchester City – City in the Community football programme, giving you additional experience within a professional sporting environment.

You will complete 35 hours of work experience as part of your two-year study programme, giving you the opportunity to develop your coaching, communication, leadership and professional skills in a real working environment.

The two-year Level 3 course is assessed through a combination of coursework, practical assessments, coaching sessions, research, presentations, projects and demonstrations of practical skills.

Lessons will include:

• Practical coaching sessions
• Team and individual sports
• Fitness and strength and conditioning
• Planning and delivering coaching sessions
• Performance analysis
• Sports events
• Individual and group projects
• Presentations and research
• Practical demonstrations
• Work-related learning.

You’ll be expected to become increasingly independent and professional as you progress through the two years.

You’ll have opportunities to apply your knowledge to realistic coaching situations, developing your ability to plan, deliver and evaluate sessions.

Regular feedback will help you improve your coaching practice, develop your confidence and prepare for your next step.

The NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity – Sports Coaching pathway can prepare you for progression into employment, higher education or further specialist training within the sports and leisure industry. 

The course can help prepare you for careers and progression routes including:

• Sports Coach
• Assistant Coach
• Community Sports Coach
• PE and School Sport Support
• Sports Development Officer
• Participation Officer
• Club Development and Academy Support
• Activity Leader
• Holiday Programme Coach
• Strength and Conditioning pathways
• Performance Support roles.

Some specialist careers will require further higher education or professional qualifications. 

Successful completion of the two-year Level 3 qualification can support progression to higher education, depending on the entry requirements of your chosen course and university.

Potential areas of further study include:

• Sports Coaching
• Sport and Exercise Science
• Sports Development and Management
• Strength and Conditioning
• Physical Education
• Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Sports Rehabilitation
• Sports Therapy
• Sports Nutrition.

You’ll also have opportunities to visit universities and explore sports courses, facilities, careers and progression routes. 

Whether your ambition is to become a sports coach, work in community sport, support athletes, develop young players or progress into professional sports, this two-year programme will help you develop the practical and professional skills needed.

By combining coaching, practical sport, leadership, work experience and industry-related learning, you will be prepared to progress towards employment, higher education or further specialist training within the sports industry.