The Napier Athletic Club recognises the

Athletics NZ
"Coach Development Pathway".

We understand the importance of
Parents as First Coaches”
or the health of the
Napier Athletics Club
and for the athletic development of our members.

The Coach Development Pathway has four strands which are designed so a coach can build on prior knowledge and experience.
These strands are as follows:

Fundamental Coaching
Community Coaching
Development Coaching
Performance Coaching

Coach development is an ongoing process, and coaches should continue to develop across the length of their career. 

The Fundamental Coaching strand targets athletes aged 3 - 6 years, and focuses on fundamental movement skills (FMS) which are the building blocks for successful participation in games and sports.

The Community Coaching Strand targets athletes aged 7 – 14 years, and focuses on a "critical period" of motor skills development that if missed; will limit a child's athletic potential for the rest of his/her life.

The Development Coaching Strand targets athletes aged 10 years +, and offers the greatest benefit to an athlete over the length of their career. With a greater body awareness and cognitive understanding of athletic principles, these athletes can achieve rapid performance improvements. These obvious improvements physically are not the only benefits; athletics also improves self-esteem, social skills, and rewards competitive goal setting.

The Performance Coaching Strand targets athletes aged 19 years + (although talent may be identified 15+), and is for coaches that aspire to become Olympic/senior world championship coaches. Entry into the Performance coaching pathway is by invite only.