Motorsport UK has opened up a Coach Development Pathway with the launch of a new Certificate in Coaching Motorsport to inspire and improve British drivers.

The Coach Development Pathway aims to support anyone who is involved in engaging and developing participants in the sport, at all levels and embed best practice for coaching.  

The new pathway will actively raise the standard of coaching, ensuring minimum standards are delivered across the sport within the UK and develop the skillsets within the coaching community to increase their value to competitors.  

Two levels will initially be available and include: 

• Accelerator Award – online introductory course  

• Certificate in Coaching Motorsport (1st4sport, Level 2)  

Accelerator Award 

The Accelerator Award is the entry point into coaching and is open to anybody 17 or above who are enthusiastic about the sport and want to deliver a positive experience for motorsport participants.  

Designed for instructors, club representatives, championship managers and other similar roles, the Accelerator Award focuses on coaching principles, competitor pathways as well as communication skills, safeguarding and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.  

The online course will be delivered via Motorsport UK’s Coaching Hub with participants receiving a certificate of completion and a digital card. Participants will also have access to the Motorsport UK coaching community and have opportunities to progress into the Certificate in Coaching Motorsport.  

Certificate in Coaching Motorsport 

The next step on the ladder is the Certificate in Coaching Motorsport (1st4sport, Level 2) which is a formal coaching qualification that has been broadened to extend to other sectors within coaching.  

The broad syllabus provides candidates with insight on driving skills, coaching theory, effective development, coaching tools, sports science and compliance.  

Designed in collaboration with UK Coaching and 1st4sport Qualifications, the 13-week course includes workshops, videos, webinars, practical coaching as well as tasks and a final assessment.  

Candidates who successfully complete the course will receive a coaching licence that includes Motorsport UK Member Benefits, as well as opportunities for Continuous Professional and facilitated learning via the Coaching Hub, workshops, conferences.  

Katie Baldwin, Motorsport UK Competitors Pathway Manager, commented, “It’s an exciting time for coaching in motorsport and this is just the beginning. We’re looking forward to embedding coach education, development and a coaching culture within motorsport to support the competitor experience, promote participation and ensure that all competitors have access to suitably and consistently qualified coaches during their motorsport journey.” 

For further information on Motorsport UK’s Coaching Development Pathway, visit www.motorsportuk.org/get-started/coaching.