Introduction
“I generally think the coaching certificates are not worth the money. It’s just a box you need to check.”
Harsh words from a coach in our community. But are they fair?
The Case Against
Box-Ticking Reality
Many qualifications are gatekeeping mechanisms:
- Need Level 1 to coach
- Need Level 2 to progress
- Need more badges to access opportunities
The system requires credentials regardless of their developmental value.
Content vs Reality
Qualification content often:
- Focuses on ideal scenarios
- Ignores actual grassroots challenges
- Teaches to assessment, not reality
- Quickly becomes outdated
Coaches leave courses and immediately face situations the course never covered.
Cost-Benefit
£200-500+ for a weekend course that might teach things you could learn from YouTube, books, or mentors.
The economics don’t always add up.
One-Time vs Continuous
A weekend course gives you a certificate. It doesn’t make you a good coach.
Continuous development matters more than any single qualification.
The Case For
Foundational Knowledge
Especially for new coaches, qualifications provide structured introduction to:
- Safeguarding requirements
- Basic session design
- Age-appropriate practice
- Essential techniques
Starting from complete zero, this has value.
Networking Opportunities
Courses put you in rooms with other coaches. Relationships formed often outlast the learning.
Credential Access
Fair or not, many opportunities require qualifications:
- Club coaching roles
- Academy positions
- School programmes
- Insurance coverage
Sometimes the box needs checking regardless of learning value.
Forced Reflection
Courses make you stop and think about coaching. Busy coaches rarely create this space themselves.
Even imperfect content prompts valuable reflection.
The Better Question
Instead of “Are qualifications worth it?”, ask:
“What’s the best way to develop as a coach?”
The Development Stack
1. Qualifications (necessary but insufficient) Get what you need for access. Don’t expect transformation.
2. Community Learning (ongoing) “I always learn something from your posts.”
Regular interaction with other coaches provides continuous development qualifications can’t match.
3. Mentorship (relationship) “He has helped me become a much better coach in every way.”
One good mentor beats ten courses.
4. Reflective Practice (habit) “I’ve been reflecting a lot more since joining this community.”
Regular reflection on your own coaching accelerates growth.
5. Intentional Observation (study) Watching quality coaching, live or recorded, with specific focus.
6. Reading (depth) Books provide depth courses can’t cover in a weekend.
The Verdict
Qualifications are:
- Necessary for access
- Insufficient for excellence
- Overvalued by the system
- Underdelivering on development
Smart coaches:
- Get required credentials efficiently
- Invest more heavily in ongoing development
- Build communities and relationships
- Develop beyond what badges represent
“I like to think I’m a better coach than the qualifications I have.”
That’s the goal. Develop beyond your credentials.