QUALIFICATIONS
QUALIFICATIONS
1.
COACHING STAFF
1.1
Coaches
In order to be qualified to work in the professional game ALL coaches must meet
the minimum level of UKCC qualification for the position they hold.
Please read the application and Working Towards information set out below
to clarify conditions and requirements for Level 3 UKCC. The following
table identifies current qualifications and requirements:
Current Coaching Role (applies to Super League &
UKCC Level Required
Championships)
First Grade - Head Coach
Level 3
First Grade - Assistant Coach
Level 3 or working towards Level 3
Championship Reserves - Head Coach
Level 3 or working towards Level 3
Championship Reserves - Assistant Coach
Level 3 or working towards Level 3
Academy - Head Coach
Level 3 or working towards Level 3
Academy - Assistant Coach
Level 3 or working towards Level 3
U16 Scholarship Head Coach
U16 Scholarship - Assistant Coach
Level 3 or working towards Level 3
Level 2
All Levels - Skills/Coaching Coach
Level 2
Coaches with the ARL Senior Club Coach Level 2 or High Performance Level 3
must register as “working towards” UKCC Level 3 immediately with the exception
of Skills or Conditioning Coaches or Scholarship Assistant Coaches.
NB No other overseas qualifications are recognised without specific written
approval from the RFL Coaching Department.
1.1.1 Application Process
All candidates must complete the standard RFL application pack. The pack
allows the candidate to demonstrate their current skills and experience
(competencies) in coaching rugby league. It is essential that the candidate
coach at this level can demonstrate all their coaching and professional
experience, enabling the RFL assessors to fully evaluate the application.
The information submitted on the application form will be evaluated against
the qualification specifications and pre-requisites. The RFL will also use this
information to assess the level of current competencies – this may require
further details from the candidate which will be obtained from a professional
(semi-formal) discussion.
1.1.2 “Working Towards”
On successful completion of the application process you will be offered a
place, subject to agreement, on to the most suitable Level 3 programme.
QUALIFICATIONS
This mutual agreement is considered to be “working towards” your Level 3
qualification; however this agreement will only become operative once you
have paid the required fee and been registered on a programme.
Unsuccessful candidates will be action planned towards future acceptance.
For the avoidance of doubt the “working towards” statement covers a
maximum period of two years on a Level 3 programme offered by the
RFL and requires the candidate to complete the necessary units/modules
within the agreed time frames to achieve the Level 3 qualification.
1.1.3 Application Process and “Working Towards” Conditions
All RFL coaching programmes are subject to candidates formally agreeing
to complete the necessary units/modules/course with the RFL. Candidates
will have an agreed amount of time to complete the allocated
units/modules/course. Failure to complete any area and progress within the
required timescales will render the “Working Towards” agreement null and
void at any point within the programme. The candidate will be excluded from
their programme and will have to re-enter the programme at the start of the
application process. No guarantees can be given to the re-allocation of a
place on an alternative programme and the time taken studying prior to
exclusion will be deducted from the two year total.
Coaches wishing to /or working in the professional game are required to
engage a sponsor/mentor who will verify their commitment to achieving the
coaching programme within the agreed time frames.
The Level 3 offers coaches operating at an advanced level the opportunity
to undertake a coaching course that fits individual needs. Costs for
individualised programmes will be given at the action planning stage when
details of the programme/modules to be undertaken are supplied.
1.2
Conditioners
All Head Conditioners operating in the game must either be an accredited member
of the UK Strength & Conditioning Association (UKSCA) or must be “working
towards” accreditation in which case they must already have one of the following
qualifications: 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Strength and Conditioning (S&C), a
degree or Master’s degree in S&C.
For conditioners “working towards” means that a conditioner has registered with
the UKSCA and becomes accredited within 2 years of registration.
All other Conditioners operating in the game must have at least one of the following
qualifications: 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in S&C, a degree or Master’s degree
in S&C
2.
MEDICAL STAFF
2.1
Club Doctors
Subject to the Medical Standards, the following qualifications are required for
Club Doctors:
QUALIFICATIONS
– Registered and practising qualified medical practitioner with a current GMC
Number; and
– A current RFL IMMOFP qualification (or other relevant qualification as set out
in the Medical Standards)
2.2
Physiotherapists
All of the following qualifications are required for Physiotherapists:
 Chartered Physiotherapist; and – Current registration with the Health Professions
Council; and
 A degree in physiotherapy or a graduate diploma in physiotherapy; and
 A current RFL IMMOFP qualification (or other relevant qualification as set out in the
Medical Standards)
3.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
3.1
In addition to the appropriate Coaching or Medical qualifications the RFL requires
the holders of certain roles within the game to have additional qualifications and/or
a current DBS enhanced disclosure through the RFL. These requirements are set
out in the table below:
Professional
Qualification
Role
MHFA
UKAD IMMOFP SPC/TTL DBS
First Grade - Head
L3
Coach
MHFA
Lite
N/A
N/A
N/A
Yes
First
Grade
Assistant Coach
- L3 or working towards
L3
MHFA
Lite
N/A
N/A
N/A
Yes
L3 or working towards
L3
MHFA
Lite
N/A
N/A
SPC
Yes
N/A
N/A
N/A
SPC
Yes
MHFA
Lite
N/A
N/A
SPC
Yes
Reserves – Assistant L3 or working towards
Coach
L3
N/A
N/A
N/A
SPC
Yes
U16
Scholarship L3 or working towards
Head Coach
L3
MHFA
Lite
N/A
N/A
SPC
Yes
N/A
N/A
N/A
SPC
Yes
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Yes
MHFA
Lite
UKAD
Advisor
N/A
N/A
Yes
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Yes
U19s - Head Coach
U19s Coach
Assistant L3 or working towards
L3
Reserves
Coach
–
Head L3 or working towards
L3
U16
Scholarship
L2
Assistant Coach
Super League
Skills Coach
–
Super League
Conditioner
– UKSCA accredited or
working towards
L2
Other
levels
–
1st4Sport L2 S&C or a
Skills/Conditioning
degree or Masters in
Coach
S&C
QUALIFICATIONS
Player
Welfare
Manager – full time N/A
clubs
(y)MHFA
UKAD
Advisor
N/A
SPC
Yes
Player
Welfare
Manager
- N/A
Championships
MHFA
Lite
N/A
N/A
SPC
Yes
Head of Youth
N/A
yMHFA
UKAD
Advisor
N/A
TTL
Yes
Player Performance
N/A
Manager
MHFA
Lite
N/A
N/A
SPC
Yes
N/A
IMMOFP
N/A
Yes
UKAD
IMMOFP
Advisor
N/A
Yes
SPC &
TTL
Yes
Doctor
Registered & practising
with
current
GMC
number
N/A
Physio
Chartered physio with
current
HPC
registration & a degree
or graduate diploma in
physiotherapy
MHFA
Lite
Club Welfare Officer N/A
yMHFA
Lite
N/A
N/A
NOTES TO TABLE
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
MHFA or youth MHFA are two day courses. MHFA Lite is tailored specifically to Rugby League
and is a three hour course. Courses can be booked through the RFL Welfare Department.
Safeguarding & Protecting Children (SPC)
SPC is an entry level Safeguarding course for all working or volunteering with children which
can be booked through Rugby League Learning.
Time to Listen (TTL)
TTL is an extension to SPC for those who are responsible for reporting concerns and can be
booked through Rugby League Learning.
UKAD Advisor
UKAD Advisor is a basic course online course in anti-doping which is available via UKAD’s
Learning Zone
CPD & Mandatory Workshops
In additional to the qualifications above each role will require attendance at CPD events and
courses as detailed by the relevant department of the RFL from time to time.