Description
Assistant Coach Theory forms part of the Gymnastics Ireland Assistant Coach qualification, the first coaching award on the GI coaching pathway. It introduces the coaching knowledge shared across all disciplines.
Through ten online modules, you will explore:
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How the qualification works and who supports you.
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Your role and responsibilities.
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Safety awareness and emergency response.
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Understanding the gymnasts you coach.
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Planning with STEPS.
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Skill delivery with IDEAL and coaching styles.
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Communication and encouragement.
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Creating inclusive experiences.
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Preparing for your Practical Coaching Day.
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Reflective practice.
Practical examples and knowledge checks will help you connect these ideas to situations you may encounter in your club.
The course includes:
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Mentor Registration assignment — confirm who will support your learning and Logbook.
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Coaching Theory Resource — further reading, practical examples and guidance.
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Ten online theory modules — preparation for your Practical Coaching Day and coaching in your club.
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Optional candidate and Mentor Zoom briefing — a session before the Practical Coaching Day covering the qualification, your Mentor’s role, practical-day preparation and how to approach the Logbook.
Complete your Mentor Registration assignment before starting the online modules. Complete the online theory before attending your Practical Coaching Day. The Zoom briefing is optional; you do not need to wait for it to progress.
Booking options and fees:
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Theory and your chosen practical module — €200: book both together, including Candidate Logbook assessment.
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Assistant Coach Theory only — €50: start your online learning now and book your chosen practical module separately for €150 when a suitable date is available. The combined cost is €200, with no additional charge for Candidate Logbook assessment.
The theory fee includes the online theory modules, Coaching Theory Resource, Mentor Registration assignment and optional candidate-and-Mentor Zoom briefing.
A theory-only booking does not reserve a place on a Practical Coaching Day. You must book the practical module separately and complete all required elements before the Assistant Coach qualification can be awarded.
Already hold a coaching qualification?
Eligible coaches holding a qualification from a previous coaching cycle can book the practical module only for €150. They are exempt from theory and the Logbook under the Gymnastics Ireland Coaching Policy.
Candidates who have already completed Assistant Coach Theory and another practical discipline in the current programme can book an additional practical discipline for €100. Contact education@gymnasticsireland.com before booking to confirm eligibility and receive a €50 discount coupon against the €150 practical module fee. You do not repeat theory or complete another Logbook.
Entry requirements:
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Be at least 16 years old.
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Be a current Gymnastics Ireland member.
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Have completed the vetting and safeguarding training required by Gymnastics Ireland.
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Have access to an authorised Supervising Coach and have a suitable Mentor agreed before booking, including when booking theory only.
Candidates under 18: your LearnUpon account must use a parent or guardian’s email address, not your own. Your parent or guardian must complete the online consent form before account creation and course enrolment.
Your practical learning and Logbook:
Complete both the online theory and your discipline’s Interactive Practical Coaching Resource before attending its Practical Coaching Day.
Download and read your Candidate Logbook early. You may begin suitable tasks before the practical day once you have completed the relevant learning and gained the supervised coaching experience each task requires. Tasks based on the Practical Coaching Day must be completed afterwards.
Work through the Logbook with support from your Mentor and submit it through your first practical discipline course within 12 weeks of your Practical Coaching Day, following the submission date shown in LearnUpon.
Completing theory alone does not award the Assistant Coach qualification or authorise independent coaching. All required elements, including the Logbook assessment, must be completed.
Objectives
By the end of the online theory modules, you will be able to:
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Describe the Assistant Coach’s role before, during and after sessions, and when supporting gymnasts at competitions within an agreed role.
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Distinguish between the roles of your Supervising Coach, Mentor and Coach Developer.
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Identify situations you can handle, those requiring guidance, and those requiring immediate escalation.
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Identify pre-session safety checks and describe the four-step emergency response procedure.
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Recognise differences in gymnasts’ development, experience, confidence and reasons for participating, including recreational participation and competition.
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Explain how STEPS supports planning and describe the three-part warm-up structure.
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Describe the five steps of IDEAL and distinguish between Command and Practice coaching styles.
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Recognise clear instructions, specific feedback and encouragement that help gymnasts learn.
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Identify barriers to participation and appropriate responses within your role.
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Explain how to prepare for your Practical Coaching Day.
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Use What, So What and Now What to identify learning and a specific next step.
These modules prepare you to apply your learning on the Practical Coaching Day and in your club under the required supervision. They do not authorise independent coaching.
As a learner within the Gymnastics Ireland E-Learning Platform, I agree to the following:
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I understand that the propriety of information within any content, discussion forums, and professional learning communities (PLC) are propriety of Gymnastics Ireland. In agreeance with the copyright law, I agree to not copy, alter, duplicate, or share any of the content without direct permission from Gymnastics Ireland.
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I agree to ensure all of my contact information is kept up to date to ensure information is shared with me in a timely manner.
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When posting within the discussion forums and the PLC, I agree to conduct myself in a professional, respectful manner and utilize it as a space to promote collaborative ideas, challenges, and support to others.
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I understand that my login and dashboard are only for my use and are not to be shared with anyone else.
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I understand that upon registration I have 30 days to complete the requirements, unless otherwise posted.
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