Sports Coaching and Development - Level 3 National Extended Diploma
Course Type
Further Education
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
2 Years
Start & End Date
1 September 2026
2 June 2028
Location
Newtownabbey
Information Session Required
Yes
This course has been developed in consultation with employers and professional bodies ensuring the content is appropriate and consistent with current industry practice enabling you to enter directly to employment in sports coaching and development roles or progress to higher education.
The Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development is equivalent to three A-Levels and offers you the opportunity to progress to Further study and Higher Education. The qualification is mapped and endorsed by CIMSPA ‘Coach’ and ‘Safeguarding and Protecting Children’ professional standards. CIMSPA endorsement allows you to apply for CIMSPA membership after successfully completing this programme, and is recognised by employers as being suitable for entry to employment in the role of a multi-skills sports coach in the sport development sector.
Within this 2 year programme you will complete a Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development and have the opportunity to gain additional qualifications and support through a range of optional extras.
Year 1
Mandatory Units
Careers in the Sport & Active Leisure Industry
Health, Wellbeing & Sport
Developing Coaching Skills
Optional Units
Nutrition for Physical Performance Rules
Practical Sports Application
Fitness Testing
Year 2
Mandatory Units
Applied Coaching Skills
Sport Development
Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity
Optional Units
Rules, Regulations & Officiating in Sport
Sports Psychology
Active IQ Level 2 Award in Understanding Nutrition, Performance and Healthy Eating
Active IQ Level 2 Award in Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People in Sport and Active Leisure
Irish FA qualifications:Futsal Introductory Award
Grassroots Introductory Award
Football Fundamentals
Level 1 Coaching Award
Futsal Referee Award
Futsal Level 1
Full Referee Award
Football for All Workshop
OCN Level 2 in Football Business
IFA Roles Volunteers and Staff
Show Racism the Red Card
Coaching Disabled Footballers
Supplementary support and coaching to enhance your football ability and athletic development to pursue a career in football such as:
Up to 10 hours additional training per week delivered by UEFA License coaches
20+ College football games per year
Scholarship opportunities in America
Fitness testing every 8 weeks (STATSports, Veo camera analysis)
If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.
This course will also entail completing an AccessNI.
Continuous Assessment through assignments and practical activities.
Level 3 BTEC Extended Diplomas are valued by employers and higher education (Universities and colleges). If you want to get a job straight away you could work in:
Sports Centres
Leisure Centres
Outdoor Activities Centres
If you decide to go to university or college you could take a degree or a BTEC Higher National in subjects such as:
Sports Studies
Leisure Management
Recreation Management
Teacher Training
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have at least 4 GCSEs at Grade C or above, or other relevant qualifications, or appropriate work experience.
No fees.
£125 Irish FA Registration Fee (approximate)
For most students, full-time Further Education courses at Level 1-3, including Apprenticeships, have no course fees.
Level 1-3 Further Education (full-time)
Level 3 Access Courses (full-time)
Fee information is available from any campus reception.
All tutors are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling role. The following teaching team deliver this course at Northern Regional College:
Staff Team
This course has been developed in consultation with employers and professional bodies ensuring the content is appropriate and consistent with current industry practice enabling you to enter directly to employment in sports coaching and development roles or progress to higher education.
Continuous Assessment through assignments and practical activities.
The Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development is equivalent to three A-Levels and offers you the opportunity to progress to Further study and Higher Education. The qualification is mapped and endorsed by CIMSPA ‘Coach’ and ‘Safeguarding and Protecting Children’ professional standards. CIMSPA endorsement allows you to apply for CIMSPA membership after successfully completing this programme, and is recognised by employers as being suitable for entry to employment in the role of a multi-skills sports coach in the sport development sector.
Within this 2 year programme you will complete a Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development and have the opportunity to gain additional qualifications and support through a range of optional extras.
Year 1
Mandatory Units
Careers in the Sport & Active Leisure Industry
Health, Wellbeing & Sport
Developing Coaching Skills
Optional Units
Nutrition for Physical Performance Rules
Practical Sports Application
Fitness Testing
Year 2
Mandatory Units
Applied Coaching Skills
Sport Development
Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity
Optional Units
Rules, Regulations & Officiating in Sport
Sports Psychology
Active IQ Level 2 Award in Understanding Nutrition, Performance and Healthy Eating
Active IQ Level 2 Award in Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People in Sport and Active Leisure
Irish FA qualifications:Futsal Introductory Award
Grassroots Introductory Award
Football Fundamentals
Level 1 Coaching Award
Futsal Referee Award
Futsal Level 1
Full Referee Award
Football for All Workshop
OCN Level 2 in Football Business
IFA Roles Volunteers and Staff
Show Racism the Red Card
Coaching Disabled Footballers
Supplementary support and coaching to enhance your football ability and athletic development to pursue a career in football such as:
Up to 10 hours additional training per week delivered by UEFA License coaches
20+ College football games per year
Scholarship opportunities in America
Fitness testing every 8 weeks (STATSports, Veo camera analysis)
If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.
This course will also entail completing an AccessNI.
Level 3 BTEC Extended Diplomas are valued by employers and higher education (Universities and colleges). If you want to get a job straight away you could work in:
Sports Centres
Leisure Centres
Outdoor Activities Centres
If you decide to go to university or college you could take a degree or a BTEC Higher National in subjects such as:
Sports Studies
Leisure Management
Recreation Management
Teacher Training
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have at least 4 GCSEs at Grade C or above, or other relevant qualifications, or appropriate work experience.
Course Fees
No fees.
For most students, full-time Further Education courses at Level 1-3, including Apprenticeships, have no course fees.
Level 1-3 Further Education (full-time)
Level 3 Access Courses (full-time)
Fee information is available from any campus reception.