Coach Education
Basketball Australia Coach Development Framework
Coaching basketball is a rewarding and enjoyable way to contribute to the game. Through the Basketball Australia Coach Development Framework (CDF), Basketball Victoria supports coaches at all stages of their journey by providing flexible, nationally recognised learning pathways that reflect where and how coaches are involved in the sport.
The CDF is designed to:
- - Make coaching pathways easier to understand
- - Recognise that coaches learn in different ways and at different times
- - Support long-term coach development, not just one-off courses
- - Align with national and international best practice
All coaching pathways require compliance with Working with Children / Child Safeguarding requirements.
Below is an overview of the coaching pathways supported and endorsed by Basketball Victoria.
Participation Coach Pathway
The Participation Coach pathway is designed for coaches supporting:
- Aussie Hoops
- Entry-level and participation basketball environments
This pathway focuses on helping coaches explore, learn, and enjoy coaching, with an emphasis on creating safe, inclusive, and fun experiences for participants.
Learning is primarily delivered through online modules, and a 2-hour practical session, that coaches can book in for around the state.
This pathway is well suited to:
- First-time coaches
- Parents, teachers, and volunteers
- Secondary school students
- Coaches new to basketball or returning to the game
Online learning is available 24/7 and can be completed at your own pace and along with the practical component will cost coaches $20 to complete.
Competition Coach Pathway
The Competition Coach pathway supports coaches working in:
- Junior and senior club competitions
This pathway focuses on helping coaches develop and perform, with learning that blends:
- Online education
- Practical application in training and games
- Face-to-face learning opportunities delivered by associations and Basketball Victoria
Key areas of development include:
- Teaching and refining basketball skills
- Introducing offensive and defensive team concepts
- Planning and delivering effective training sessions
- Supporting athlete development in competitive environments
All coaches in this pathway commence at Competition Bronze, upon completion of the online training, and the 6-hour practical session. The cost of the Competition Bronze Coach Course is $150 per coach.
Progression to Silver and Gold is achieved by earning Coach Development Points through:
- Actively coaching
- Face-to-face learning
- Online modules
- Coach-driven and applied learning activities
There are no fixed time requirements to progress — development is based on engagement, not attendance alone.
Representative Coach Pathway
The Representative Coach pathway is designed for coaches working in:
- Representative programs
- State pathway and higher-performance environments
This pathway supports coaches to perform and excel, with learning experiences that may include:
- Advanced technical and tactical concepts
- Game analysis and preparation
- Athlete wellbeing and performance support
- Leadership, mentoring, and applied learning
Coaches in this pathway commence at Representative Bronze, upon the completion of the 15-hour practical session, and successful submission of their assessment tasks. The cost of the Representative Bronze Coach Course is $310 per coach.
Progression through Silver and Gold determined by ongoing learning and coaching involvement rather than a single course or assessment.
Movement into this pathway reflects the environment you coach in, not just your previous accreditation history.
Performance Coach Pathway
The Performance Coach pathway supports coaches operating in:
- Elite, high-performance, and national pathway environments
This pathway is:
- Internationally aligned and FIBA-recognised
- Delivered under the direction of Basketball Australia
Entry into this pathway is based on coaching role, experience, and endorsement through appropriate high-performance channels.
For those wanting to submit an Expression of Interest to attend, you can register via this link: https://www.cognitoforms.com/BasketballVictoria1/EOIPerformanceCoachingCourse
Master Coach Recognition
The Master Coach designation recognises coaches who have demonstrated sustained excellence in elite and international basketball environments over an extended period.
This recognition is:
- Internationally aligned
- FIBA-recognised
- Awarded at the discretion of Basketball Australia
Maintaining Your Accreditation
Under the Coach Development Framework, accreditation is maintained by ongoing engagement, not periodic reaccreditation courses.
To remain active, coaches are required to:
- Earn Coach Development Points over a rolling two-year period
- Maintain Child Safeguarding / Working with Children compliance
If a coach becomes inactive:
- After 2 years, accumulated points reset
- After 4 years, the coach returns to Bronze level
Learning Opportunities & Support
Basketball Victoria supports coach development through:
- Online learning via the Basketball Australia LMS
- Face-to-face learning opportunities
- Practical and applied learning experiences
- Coach mentoring and development resources
For more information about coach education pathways, learning opportunities, your current accreditation status, or booking in a course, please contact Basketball Victoria at coaching@basketballvictoria.com.au
Mandatory Coach Accreditation Requirements
Beginning in 2023, Basketball Victoria implemented mandatory coach education training for any coach that is coaching in a league being run by Basketball Victoria. Upon completing the training, coaches will gain their Basketball Australia accreditation, and will receive a certificate and additional resources to assist with their ongoing development as a coach.
This is keeping in line with the requirements first implemented at the Basketball Victoria Country Championships, where this has been a requirement since 2017.
Why is this being implemented?
The most important part of any sport is the player, regardless of them being a junior or senior participant. Without them we have no need for coaches, officials or stadiums, and one of the main reasons players leave the sport, is that it’s no longer fun for them.
As a sport we want to provide the best possible experience for players, with the first and most frequent interaction with players coming from the coach. Even with most coaches being in the volunteer space we want to be the best we can be, and owe it to our players to be trained and educated to provide the best possible experience for them.
Coaching can be daunting for many who start out, some may have playing experience to draw on, others may have watched from a far, and just as many are helping out with limited basketball or coaching experience to give players and opportunity to play. By providing training, coaches gain confidence and tools to stay in the sport, rather than needing to find new volunteers every season. The longer the coach stays in the sport the more experience they gain, the better networks they form, and the better coach they become.
We can all learn from coaches that have gone through before us, from learning about problems to avoid, remain current with knowledge and expectations and ensuring that we all keep the sport moving forward collectively.
MINIMUM ACCREDITATION LEVELS FOR BASKETBALL VICTORIA COMPETITIONS
VJBL* & COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Teams 1 to 3:
Head Coach – Competition
Assistant Coach – Participation
*Should any of the teams 1-3 teams be ranked in Pool 7 or lower, the coach can apply to only hold a Participation level of accreditation
Teams 4 and lower:
Head Coach – Participation
Assistant Coach – Participation
COUNTRY BASKETBALL LEAGUE (CBL)
Head Coach – Competition
Assistant Coach – Participation
NBL1
Head Coach – Representative
Assistant Coach/Development Coach – Competition
BIG V – CHAMPIONSHIP, DIVISION 1 & 2
Head Coach – Representative
Assistant Coach/Development Coach – Competition
BIG V – YOUTH LEAGUE
Head Coach – Competition
Assistant Coach/Development Coach – Participation
STATE TEAMS
Head Coach – Representative
Assistant Coach/Development Coach - Competition
FAQs
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Recognised Prior Learning
PARTICIPATION LEVEL:
Requirements:
- - Copy of playing & coaching resume
- - Completion of the Basketball Australia Participation Coaching Course online training
- - 1 x Coaching Reference
Eligibility: Must have Head Coached for 3 seasons of VJBL competition equivalent or higher
COMPETITION LEVEL:
Requirements:
- - Copy of playing & coaching resume
- - Completion of the Basketball Australia Competition Coaching Course online training
- - 2 x Coaching References
Eligibility (one of):
- - Must have had 3+ years of playing at an Elite level (NBL/WNBL or higher)
- - Must have Head Coached 5 years at a Victorian Championship (VC) level (VJBL)
- - Must have Head Coached 5 years at a Big V Championship level (Not YL Championship)
REPRESENTATIVE LEVEL:
There is no Recognised Prior Learning available for this course, and all coaches will need to complete the in person sessions and assessment piece.
Coaching Courses on Demand
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