Basketball Australia has rolled out an updated approach to coach education through the Coach Development Framework (CDF). The aim is simple: make coaching pathways clearer, more flexible, and better aligned to how coaches actually learn and coach across the country.

Whether you’re a parent helping out at Aussie Hoops, coaching a club team, or working in high-performance environments, here’s what you need to know.

What is the Coach Development Framework?

The Coach Development Framework is Basketball Australia’s nationally recognised system for coach education and accreditation. It supports coaches at all stages of their journey and replaces the old model of one-off courses with an approach focused on ongoing development.

The framework is designed to:

• Make coaching pathways easier to understand
• Recognise that coaches learn in different ways and at different times
• Support long-term development, not just attendance at courses
• Align with national and international best practice

All coaching pathways require compliance with Working with Children / Child Safeguarding requirements.

The Four Coaching Pathways Explained

Basketball Australia now groups coaching into four clear pathways, based on the environment you coach in. The structure reflects where you coach, rather than simply how long you have been coaching.

Participation Coach Pathway (Previously Community Coach)

Designed for coaches working in participation environments, including Aussie Hoops and entry-level basketball programs. The focus is on creating safe, inclusive and enjoyable experiences for participants, with learning primarily delivered online.

Typical Participation Coaches include:

• Aussie Hoops coaches
• Beginner and participation program coaches
• Parent and volunteer coaches
• Teachers and school program leaders
• First-time or returning coaches

Competition Coach Pathway (Previously Club Coach)

For coaches working in junior and senior club competitions. This pathway blends online education, practical coaching experience, and face-to-face learning opportunities to support coaching in competitive environments.

Typical Competition Coaches include:

• Junior domestic team coaches
• Senior domestic team coaches
• Club representative team coaches (local competitions)
• Coaches focused on player skill and team development in competition settings

Coaches enter at Competition Bronze and progress to Silver and Gold through ongoing coaching and development.

Representative Coach Pathway (Previously Association Coach)

Designed for coaches involved in representative programs and higher-performance environments. This pathway supports advanced coaching development including technical and tactical preparation, athlete support, leadership and mentoring.

Typical Representative Coaches include:

• Association representative team coaches
• State pathway program coaches
• High-performance development coaches
• Coaches preparing athletes for elite pathways

Coaches enter at Representative Bronze and progress through continued coaching involvement and learning.

Performance Coach Pathway

This pathway supports coaches working in elite, high-performance, and national pathway environments. It is internationally aligned, FIBA-recognised, and delivered under the direction of Basketball Australia.

Typical Performance Coaches include:

• National team coaches
• Professional league coaches
• Elite pathway head coaches
• High-performance program leaders

Entry is based on coaching role, experience, and endorsement through high-performance pathways.

Master Coach Recognition

The Master Coach designation recognises coaches who have demonstrated sustained excellence in elite and international basketball over an extended period.

This recognition is internationally aligned, FIBA-recognised, and awarded at the discretion of Basketball Australia.

How Accreditation is Maintained

Under the updated framework, accreditation is maintained through ongoing engagement, not reaccreditation courses.

To remain active, coaches must:

• Earn Coach Development Points over a rolling two-year period
• Maintain Working with Children / Child Safeguarding compliance

If a coach becomes inactive:

• After 2 years, accumulated points reset
• After 4 years, the coach returns to Bronze level

The framework also allows coaches to move between different coaching environments as their roles change.

What This Means for Existing Coaches

All current coaches are automatically transferred into the new framework at an equivalent level. Previous Club and Association coaches move into Bronze within their respective pathways, ensuring no one loses their accreditation during the transition.

Learning and Support Available

Across Australia, coach development is supported through online learning, face-to-face education opportunities, practical coaching experiences, and mentoring.

For coaches, the message is clear: development is ongoing, flexible, and tailored to where you coach.

Need More Information?

For any additional information, clarification, or questions relating to the Coach Development Framework, coaches are encouraged to contact George Robinson at george.robinson@basketballqld.net.au.

George is the best point of contact for guidance on coaching pathways, accreditation, and learning opportunities within Queensland.

Coaches can now access the Coach Development Framework and QMS via etrainu, available through the Basketball Australia website.

Guide to the Coach Development Framework is here.

Access the QMS via etrainu here.