Earn your Community Coach Accreditation with Bowls Australia. Build modern coaching skills, design player-centred sessions, and create an environment that keeps bowlers coming back.
Coaching today is about more than refining technique. The most effective coaches create environments where people feel valued, supported and motivated to return week after week. Every bowler walks onto the green for a reason. Great coaches know how to recognise that reason and coach the person, not just the player.
The Community Coach Accreditation equips you with the practical skills, clear frameworks and confidence to lead at club level. Whether you’re stepping into coaching for the first time or formalising years of experience, this course prepares you to make a lasting impact at your club.
What you’ll be able to do
- Coach with a clear philosophy and purpose.
- Design sessions that are inclusive, purposeful, and technically grounded.
- Help players improve their accuracy and decision-making on the green.
- Create an environment that makes players want to show up every week.
Who is it for?
New and existing coaches committed to player-centred coaching. If you’re looking to take your coaching to the next level, this is for you.
Pre-requisites
- Aged 16 or over.
- Completed the Sport Integrity Australia Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Induction.
- Hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) from the state or territory in which you reside.
How it works
Five online modules, followed by a virtual session and a face-to-face practical assessment. The online component covers coaching philosophy, session design, technical and tactical coaching, and session delivery.
You’ll also receive the Community Coach Toolkit and e-learning course companion – practical resources including drills, session templates, and planning guides you’ll use beyond the course.
What’s the end result?
Community Coach Accreditation, recognised within the Bowls Australia pathway. The skills, tools, and confidence to make a genuine difference at your club.
FAQ
Why has the Community Coach accreditation been developed?
The coaching landscape has evolved significantly since the original Club Coach accreditation was introduced.
Modern coaching is firmly participant-centred, focused on developing the whole person to support long-term enjoyment and sustained involvement. Coaching today is about connection, growth and creating meaningful experiences.
Expectations of coaches have also increased. Clear standards exist around integrity, behaviour and safeguarding, alongside a stronger emphasis on building trusting relationships with appropriate professional boundaries.
The updated accreditation reflects the full spectrum of participants within club and community bowls, from new players to experienced pennant competitors. Coaches are equipped to understand individual motivations, adapt to different aspirations and design sessions that meet players where they are at.
The refreshed program is more interactive and practical, supporting coaches to:
- Provide players with choice and voice
- Create environments where individuals feel valued
- Encourage learning through appropriate challenge
- Design individual development plans
- Effectively manage group and team sessions
Overall, the accreditation better reflects contemporary coaching practice and prepares coaches to lead safe, inclusive and welcoming environments.
Who is the Community Coach accreditation designed for?
The Community Coach accreditation has been designed for new or existing coaches who are committed to meeting the motivations of their players, and delivering sessions that foster inclusion, belonging and long-term involvement in the sport.
These coaches recognise that participation is driven not just by performance, but by positive experiences. They are intentional about creating safe, inclusive environments where participants have voice, choice and success and are motivated to continue.
They are also highly skilled at helping players become “more accurate more often”.
Who has been involved in creating it?
The Community Coach accreditationhas been created by the Bowls Australia Workforce Development team, with input from:
- Bowls Australia High Performance coaches.
- State Territory Associations.
- Coach education leads and existing deliverers of the Club Coach course.
- A range of subject matter experts including feedback received from the National Coaches Consultation Group.
Bowls Australia would also like to thank and acknowledge the Australian Sports Commission Coaching & Officiating team for the support they have provided throughout the process.
What content does it cover?
The modules within the accreditation include the following outcomes:
Integrate integrity and safety practices by implementing safeguarding protocols, maintaining ethical standards, and promoting positive sporting values in all coaching interactions.
Define their coaching identity by articulating their coaching philosophy and creating strategies for ongoing professional development.
Build effective coaching relationships by analysing player motivations, implementing appropriate communication strategies, and establishing professional boundaries.
Create inclusive learning environments by designing safe, supportive spaces where all players feel valued, respected, and empowered to take risks in their development.
Design player-centred coaching sessions by developing structured activities that incorporate player choice, voice, and varied learning approaches for both individuals and teams.
Apply technical coaching principles by demonstrating effective instruction methods, implementing skill development progressions, and adapting techniques to improve player performance.
What’s involved?
The Community Coach accreditation is delivered as part of a blended learning experience in the following sequence:
- Completion of the online e-learning modules.
- Participation in a virtual workshop (held 1-2 weeks prior to the face-to-face session).
- Attend a face-to-face session to learn more in a practical setting as well as be observed applying coaching skills in practice.
Coaches will also have access to a coaches toolkit which will include templates, skills, drills and activity ideas to assist with coaching.
Note – it is recommended that coaches complete all online components within 3-months prior to attending the face-to-face component. All components must be completed within 12-months of starting the first online component.
Are there any pre-requisites?
Yes, to be eligible for the Community Coach Accreditation, prospective coaches must:
Hold a valid Working with Children Check from the state or territory in which they reside.
Be at least 16 years of age.
Have completed Sport Integrity Australia Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Induction course.
How do I get accredited?
Once you have met all pre-requisites, completed all course components and met required standards during the practical on green observation, you will be signed off by your State or Territory Association (STA), and be able to view your accreditation card on your BowlsLink account or via the BowlsLink app.
What is the cost?
The cost of the Community Coach accreditation is $200. This is payable when coaches register for the course through BowlsLearn.
How do I book onto the virtual session and face-to-face learning?
Please contact your local State or Territory Association.
Bowls WA
All correspondence to:
PO Box 123
Osborne Park WA 6017
Tel- (08) 9340 0800
Fax- (08) 9340 0888
enquiries@bowlswa.com.au
Street Address
Level 1/158 Main Street
Osborne Park WA 6017
If I become an accredited Community Coach does this mean I can coach bowls?
Yes, the accreditation means that you have been deemed competent to be able to coach bowls at the community level.
I am a current accredited Club Coach. What’s the difference between the Club Coach and Community Coach accreditation?
The Community Coach accreditation reflects the Australian Sports’ Commission’s modern coaching approach. There is a greater emphasis on the player, their motivations and experience. The content also delves deeper into building relationships, creating psychological safety and is more comprehensive in relation to pre-shot routines and the tactical aspect of coaching.
The Community Coach Toolkit is also more practical action focused, with templates, training drills, game ideas and much more.
I am a current accredited Club Coach – is my accreditation still valid?
Yes, your Club Coach accreditation is still valid until the expiry date.
I am an accredited Club Coach and want to do the Community Coach accreditation. How do I go about this?
A ‘bridging’ course is being developed to support Club Coaches to transition to the Community Coach accreditation. This will be available later in the year. All existing Club Coaches will be emailed directly with information, once the course is live.
If you’d prefer to complete the new Community Coach accreditation in full, please follow the steps outlined previously.