Completing any British Rowing training or qualification is about so much more than simply achieving a certificate. Each piece of learning will help you to broaden your thinking, and help you find the right solutions to any challenges you may encounter in your coaching environment. British Rowing recommends that anyone in a coaching role should hold a recognised coaching certificate.

There are currently two entry points to begin your coach certification:

The Assistant Coach Training is aimed at anyone coaching under the supervision of a more experienced or qualified coach. You might choose this training because you are part of a coaching team, or maybe undertake casual employment at a club, school, sports centre or university. It ensures you understand the fundamental principles of coaching rowing in a modern society and is suitable for a coach working in any discipline of the sport including adaptive and coastal rowing.

The Club Coach course is aimed at coaches who are coaching independently to deliver linked and progressive sessions as part of a training programme, it introduces you to the principles of developing rowers. The course can be delivered within either a sliding or fixed seat context.

For coaches who have an in-depth understanding of their role, we can offer a direct assessment for the Club Coach qualification. If you would like to discuss this with us, please contact [email protected] so we can help you establish your suitability for this process.

The programme consists of four modules, made up of three online classrooms and one face-to-face practical day. We recommend you complete the online classrooms prior to the practical day, but if it is more convenient for you to complete the practical day sooner, this won’t be an issue.

This will depend on the role you are looking to apply for. Both the Assistant Coach Training and the Club Coach Certificate are recognised formal coaching credentials. If you will be working under the supervision of another coach then the Assistant Coach Training is sufficient, but if you are aiming for a more independent role then the Club Coach is recommended.

Yes. The training is a recognised coaching credential, you simply need to ensure it is active on your membership profile and you can add COACH to your membership. This will not happen until you have completed all four modules. If you already hold another British Rowing membership, you can add this at no additional cost.

Once you have achieved the first step in your formal coach education, you will continue to develop in your role through your coaching experiences and the learning opportunities available to you. The Coaching Stream outlines the range of opportunities for your ongoing learning based on your individual needs. 

Our Coach Development Opportunities run on an annual basis, and can provide you with bespoke one to one support from a skilled coach developer, alongside communities of practice and other unique learning experiences. 

The *Senior Club Coach course is aimed at coaches who deliver an annual programme, alongside developing others. Coaches who wish to apply for this qualification must hold the Club Coach qualification and the Level 2 Strength and Conditioning for Sport 

The Advanced Coach qualification is aimed at coaches who are designing, implementing and evaluating the process and outcomes of long-term specialist coaching programmes. It is delivered in partnership with the University of Sterling and successful coaches will be awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Sports Coaching in addition to the Advanced Coach Qualification. 

*The Senior Club Coach qualification is currently under review. Information about a new programme of learning will be shared at the end of 2025.

The courses are coordinated both centrally, and in partnership with your regional coaching chair. They are delivered by recognised British Rowing  coach educators and assessors who have undertaken formal training, and continue to maintain their standards through standardisation events.

The main difference is who the courses are aimed at, and how they are delivered. If you are a coach who works under the supervision of a more experienced or qualified coach, the Assistant Coach Training is perfect to give you a credential to underpin your coaching practice. There is no formal assessment for the Assistant Coach Training, and it is delivered as a programme of four modules which you can pick up at any time, in any order.

The Club Coach course is aimed at coaches who are more engaged with regular coaching such as putting together a programme for a club squad. The Club Coach course supports you to link progressive sessions.

Holding a coaching credential does not automatically make you a better coach. It is how you choose to use the knowledge you gain on a course and implement it in your own coaching environment that demonstrates if you are a successful coach or not. Being a great coach is not simply about winning races. It is about changing lives and developing those who participate in rowing, so they have the opportunity to enjoy lifelong involvement in our sport thanks to the support and encouragement they receive.

For some it may mean winning medals, for others it may mean being able to simply enjoy being out on the water safely. British Rowing training and qualifications can start you on your journey of implementing new ideas, knowledge and continued growth through the experience of coaching practice.

Your Regional Rowing Council will sometimes offer funding for coaching courses. Contact your regional coaching representative to find out if your rowing council can offer you financial support. Further details can be found here

Your club will often offer financial support in return for a commitment that you will deliver a certain number of sessions.

For the Assistant Coach Training there is no formal assessment, but we expect a level of engagement in all the modules you undertake to be confident in awarding you with the credential.

The Club Coach course does involve a number of assessment tasks, but taking a coaching qualification is a developmental process, and we recognise that you might need a bit more time and support before you complete your final assessment.

You will be assigned an assessor and they will help you to ensure your coaching evidence (known as a portfolio) is completed to the standard required and that you are fully prepared for your final assessment.

If you are considered not yet competent during your coaching assessment, the assessor will identify an action plan with you so you can continue to develop and set a re-assessment date. There will be an additional re-assessment fee.

All British Rowing qualifications are run to professional standards to ensure they continue to meet nationally recognised qualification standards (just like GCSE’s and A ‘Levels).  They are continually developed and adapted to meet the needs of the changing face of our sport.  Some of the costs include:

• Professional British Rowing staff who develop and evolve content
• Coach Educator training
• Tutor, assessor and quality assurance delivery fees
• British Rowing Staff to continually develop and maintain the online learning platform (RowHow)
• Central administration staff to process courses and certification. Up to date hard copy and online resources
• British Rowing staff to maintain the qualification accreditation and ensure that the delivery of the qualifications is to the highest standards.

British Rowing works hard to balance the quality of the learner experience with an affordable pricing structure.

Regional networking is run through your Regional Rowing Council.  There are a variety of events depending on the region.  If you have an idea for a training or networking event in your region, please contact your Regional Coaching Representative.

Yes, if your club meets the venue specification. It is generally preferable to have open courses as this means it is more likely to attract minimum numbers and to create an environment that has a variety of coaching experiences to broaden everyone’s development. If you would like to host a course please email us. If you would like to host a course please email us.