The Australia Strength and Conditioning Association is proud to announce the release of a new DVD "Progressing the Difficulty of Body-Weight Exercises for Child and Youth Resistance Training". 

This DVD has been produced as an aid to coaches and teachers concerned with training of child and youth athletes and illustrates how to progress the difficulty of body-weight exercises.  In an easy to understand and applied manner this DVD explains and demonstrates how to progress the difficulty of six key exercise groups via six methods other than traditional training variable manipulations.

A PDF titled "Youth Body-Weight Exercise Testing" details six body-weight tests derived from the DVD and is available free with every DVD purchase.

The DVD used in conjunction with the associated Guide with Suggested Lesson Plans should allow coaches and teachers to safely and confidently implement child and youth resistance training with minimal equipment requirements and for large groups possessing disparate muscular capabilities.

Information on the ASCA's DVD and Guide on Progressing Body Weight Exercise Difficulty for Child and Youth Resistance Training by Dr. Daniel Baker can be downloaded from here

Professional Development Program for Coaches

INTRODUCTION

Athletics Australia is responsible for the continued development of the coaches who work within the sport.
In recognising the very large number of coaches throughout the country in clubs, schools, universities,
institutes and academy’s of sport and coaches working with individuals and squads, the task of coach
development is enormous and cannot be achieved alone.
Athletics Australia appreciates the commitment made by the ATFCA, the Member Associations and the
SIS/SAS Network, who continue to provide coach development opportunities for coaches at club, regional
and state levels.
Directed by the National Coaching Coordinator, Athletics Australia will establish appropriate professional
development funds and application criteria, that support the vision of the High Performance strategic plan.
In doing so, Athletics Australia’s Professional Development Program for Coaches will support those coaches
who’s athletes are part of the national series and Telstra A Series events, and who feature in National
squads and teams.
Athletics Australia defines Professional Development for coaches as those programs that can assist
coaches to improve their knowledge and skills required to undertake their coaching duties. Funding for
Professional Development programs will be considered where they have articulated coach development
outcomes consistent with the coach’s own practice and capacity, and the purpose of each fund.

FUNDING CATEGORIES AVAILABLE
Professional Development funding will be available in the following categories.
�� Category A: Up to $600.00 per coach
For individual coaches to attend workshops, courses, clinics and conferences etc.
�� Category B: Up to $2000 per initiative
A fund to support programs that utilise specialist coaches to conduct workshop and clinic activities
for groups of coaches.
�� Category C: $3000, $5000 & $8000 per eligible coach per year
Coaching Assistance Fund for International Competition
�� Category D $10,000 per year for eligible coaches
Coach of Merit funding
Each fund in subject to application and assessment based on disclosed funding criteria.

ELIGILBILITY FOR FUNDING
Funding Source Eligible Coaches
Category A National Youth Event Coaches
Personal Coaches with athletes in National U 19 Talent Squad
Personal Coaches with athletes who have been selected in an
Australian Senior, Junior or Youth team
Coaches with athletes on the Travel Fund list for Telstra A series 2007
Others at discretion of NPM & NCC.
Category B Any group or network of coaches who plan a local initiative with stated
coach development outcomes
The initiative must have financial or in-kind support from the MA’s, and
one or more of the ATFCA, the SIS/SAS network or clubs.
Coaching Assistance Fund for
International Competition
Coaches who’s athletes achieve specified performance criteria in the
current domestic season
Coaches who have an approved International Competition & Travel Plan
Coaches who are not otherwise employed within the Athletics Australia
or SIS/SAS network
Coach of Merit Funding For Coaches who do not otherwise receive a salary from Athletics
Australia or the SIS/SAS network as paid coach
Finished the competition season with an athlete in the IAAF Top 10
Order of Merit.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING IN DETAIL
CATEGORY A FUNDING
This fund is available for individual coaches who are eligible under the criteria, to apply for funding to attend
workshops, clinics, conferences, course and other appropriate professional development programs.
Funding will be available to cover course or registration fees, travel and accommodation costs.
Coaches will be required to complete an application form that outlines the nature of the professional
development activity and the anticipated outcomes. The application will be required to be endorsed by at
least one of the following:
National Performance Manager National Youth Performance Manager
National Event Coordinator State Performance Coordinator
Budget allocation:
Up to a maximum of $600.00 per year for an individual coach
Total budget allocation = $18,000
Funding Criteria
�� The funding is for an appropriate Coach Development or Coach Education program
�� The applicant has clearly articulated the outcomes of the program
�� The outcomes are consistent with the coaches personal coaching practice and capacity
�� The application has endorsed support from one of the above mentioned
Funding Application
�� An application form will be available on the Athletics Australia website
�� Applications will be reviewed and approved by the National Coaching Coordinator
CATEGORY B FUNDING
This fund is available to assist coaches plan and conduct workshops and clinics that utilises specialist
coaches with national or international reputations, in areas of specific coaching knowledge, skills and/or
event areas.
Program initiatives must be inclusive for groups of coaches, incorporating identified networks and/or groups
of specific coaches. (Eg: ATFCA State Branch, SIS/SAS networks, elite coaches, youth, development,
juniors, club coaches etc.)
The be eligible for funding, programs will be required to demonstrate they have the support from a Member
Association and one or more of the ATFCA, the SIS/SAS network or clubs. Support can be defined in cash
or in-kind.
The National Coaching Coordinator will assess the program submissions received consistent with the
funding criteria and where necessary, rank submissions. There will be a funding limit on each proposal and
on the total funding pool.
Budget allocation:
Up to $2,000 per program
Total budget allocation = $30,000
Funding Criteria
�� The program identifies specific group/s of coaches
�� The program articulates specific outcomes that enhance the knowledge and skills of the targeted
coaches
�� The program details are consistent with the specified outcomes
�� The program maximises the development opportunities for coaches in more than one region
�� The program engages appropriately qualified and recognised specialists
�� Resource material will be made available by the presenter for distribution, including on the Athletics
Australia website
�� The program does not replicate other program initiatives funded by Athletics Australia
�� The program demonstrates appropriate support from one or more Member Associations and at least
one of the following, ATFCA, SIS/SAS network or Clubs.
Funding Application
�� An application forms available on the Athletics Australia website
�� Applications will be reviewed and approved by the National Coaching Coordinator
�� Groups can apply for up to $2000 per year.
Submissions for funding will include the following:
�� An overview of the program initiative,
�� A brief rationale for the program
�� Include dates of workshops/seminars/clinics etc.
�� The nature of the activities the initiative will involve
�� The venues to be used
�� A brief overview of the specialist personnel involved in delivering the program. Include where
appropriate a brief C.V.
�� The aims of the program – specifically how the program will develop coaches knowledge, skills and
practices
�� The target group of coaches.
�� The level of coach the program caters for (International, National Youth, Elite, Club, Junior etc)
�� The anticipated numbers of participant coaches
�� Program Budget including a statement detailing the support provided (in cash or in-kind) by MA’s and at
least one of ATFCA, SIS/SAS network, or Clubs and any other support. A template will be provided and
available on the web. Support may include the use of facilities, advertising, promotion and organisation.

CATEGORY C FUNDING
COACHING ASSISTANCE FUND for INTERNATIONAL COMPETITON
The Coaching Assistance Fund for International Competition assists the costs for coaches to travel with their
athletes to international competition.
This fund recognises that in most cases, the coach will enhance an athlete’s experience and performance in
international competition and this fund seeks to make the costs of travel less of a burden on the individual
coach. Further, Athletics Australia understands the important development opportunity that international
experience can provide for the coach. The opportunity for a coaches to acquire knowledge, to share
experiences, to be exposed to a variety of coaching styles and learn is a significant feature of international
competition and this fund seeks to facilitate this level of development.
Budget allocation
The coach will be eligible for funding at the following levels, based on the performance of their athletes and
the total points accrued.
�� Level 1 25 points + $8000
�� Level 2 20 – 24 points $5000
�� Level 3 15 – 19 points $3000
If more coaches are eligible than there is money available, then points will determine the final allocation.
Funding Criteria
Points scale based on performance, achieved within the current domestic season defined 1 Dec to 30 Mar:
• Olympic or World Champs A qualifier 15 points
OR
• Olympic or World Champs B qualifier 10 points
AND
• Gold Medal at the National Senior Championship 6 points
OR
• Silver medal at National Senior Championship 4 points
OR
• Bronze medal at National Senior Championships 2 points
AND
• Top 3 finish (Australian Athlete) in any Telstra A Series meeting during the current season
(Relays excluded). 1 point max / Telstra A series meet
Only athletes who are part of the Coaches International Competition Plan can accrue points.
Funding Application
�� An application forms available on the Athletics Australia website
�� Applications will be reviewed and approved by the National Coaching Coordinator, the National
Event Coach (where one exists) and the National Performance Manager
�� Individual coaches can apply for assistance only once per year
�� Applications will be called for following the completion of the National Championships
�� Funding advised no later than mid April.
The application will comprise three parts:
1. Complete the International Competition Plan. This plan will incorporate a proposed itinerary for
competition and training blocks, locations for base accommodation, reference to the periodised
yearly plan, the number and names of athletes travelling as part of schedule and additional support
services that may be available. A pro-forma will be available.
2. A proposed travel budget
3. Completion of the Funding Criteria highlighting the performances in the current season of the
athletes who are part of the International Competition Plan.

COACH OF MERIT FUNDING
Coach of Merit Funding recognises athlete excellence in International Performance and rewards coaches for
their contribution.
Full details of the Coach of Merit Funding can be found on the Athletics Australia Website – Coach of Merit