Coach Accreditation Ambassadors Craig McRae and Alicia Eva are joined by community coaches and players at East Malvern Junior Football Club to celebrate the rollout of the new framework. Photo: AFL Photos / Michael Willson

It has just become a whole lot easier to coach Australian Rules Football as the AFL rolls out the biggest changes to its coach accreditation in the past 30 years.

Whether you are considering coaching for the first time or looking to extend your coaching career, the significant updates will help support coaches around the country across all levels of football – from local to elite.

Transforming the way coaches learn, develop and are recognised in the industry is at the heart of the changes and has helped frame the renewed system.

Featuring a new points-based approach, the simplified structure will allow coaches to progress through five levels of accreditation depending on their aspirations; Registered, Registered Accredited, Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
  
The easy-to-follow points system encourages ongoing participation through bespoke and flexible learning opportunities, allowing for a truly ‘choose your own adventure’ coaching journey. The more diverse range of education options to acquire points now includes:

•       Face-to-face workshops  
•       Online modules
•       Practical coaching
•       Mentoring
•       Microlearning
•       On-the-job training

Have a question? Click here to read the FAQs

Read the new coach accreditation handbook

With the ability to tailor to individual coaching circumstances, the new coach accreditation is participant focused and has an emphasis on making continuous development simple, easy and accessible for everyone.

As part of the AFL’s commitment to enshrine 10 per cent of the game’s total revenue back into local footy, becoming accredited is FREE for all coaches in 2025.

All coaches who have been actively accredited since 2019 will have their history and achievements recognised in the new system when they register and update their accreditation for 2025. 

Key changes and benefits:

  • Improved player experience: Participant-focused coaching curriculum supporting all coaches to create positive and rewarding experiences for more than 380,000 local footballers.
     
  • Five distinct accreditation types: Registered, Registered Accredited, Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
     
  • Bespoke learning opportunities: Tailored to your coaching environment to ensure a more diverse and relevant learning experience – engage in workshops, microlearning or on-the-job training.
     
  • Flexibility in learning: Coaches will have the freedom to choose how and when they want to learn, making it a truly personalised ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ experience.
     
  • Ongoing development: The new framework advocates annual learning to ensure continual growth for coaches.
     
  • Recognition of achievements: Earn badges and points that celebrate your learning and achievements. 
Alicia presents young coach Alexandra with her bronze level certificate as she completes new modules from the new coach accreditation framework. Photo: AFL Photos / Michael Willson

Executive General Manager of Game Development, Rob Auld, said releasing the new coach accreditation platform would help support coaches and give them the best environment to succeed regardless of their level.

“We’re incredibly proud to roll out our new coach accreditation which will benefit thousands of coaches around the country and support them as they strive to be the best leaders they can be,” Auld said.   

“We’ve been developing the new framework for the last 18 months to modernise our entire approach to coach education, with its focus now on continuous learning and giving coaches the opportunity to access ways to upskill and gain recognition throughout the year – giving them the chance to learn at their own pace.

“Previously, AFL coach education has centred around skill development, winning, and advancing through accreditation levels, but we’ve now transformed this to reflect the dynamic nature of our game and make sure we’re providing the best tools and learning environment.

“We currently have 28,500 registered coaches in Australia which is five per cent up on last year and pleasingly, we’ve also seen a 15 per cent increase in women and girls coaching numbers.  

“As part of our commitment to the Women and Girls Action Plan, we’re striving to have women and girls make up 40 per cent of all accredited coaches by 2030, so this new framework was critical in making sure coaching pathways are accessible, inclusive and flexible for everyone.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved who has worked on this significant project. There has been extensive collaboration and consultation from key stakeholders and all our states and territory associations to ensure we have created the best model for our industry to ultimately elevate coaching standards.”

Junior players from East Malvern showcase their skills with premiership coach, Craig McRae. Photo: AFL Photos / Michael Willson



Collingwood AFL Senior Coach and Coach Accreditation Ambassador, Craig McRae, said the changes to the framework would aid coaches at all levels.

“As a coach it’s important to maintain continuous learning, and that’s one of the focusses the AFL has adapted into its new coach accreditation,” McRae said.

“No matter what level you coach or how long you’ve been in the system, you never stop learning and developing – it’s a vital part of getting the best out of yourself and the team.

“The new framework also allows you to fit in the learning at a time that suits you, so everyone can learn at their own pace and choose their own combination of skills they want to learn or areas they want to focus on.”

GWS GIANTS All Australian, AFL Development Coach and VFL Assistant Coach, Alicia Eva, said the updates would help attract more women and girls to give coaching a try.

“It’s wonderful to see a 15 per cent increase in women and girls taking up coaching this year and I think the new framework will help attract more over the coming years,” Eva, who is also Coach Accreditation Ambassador for the AFL, said.

“Having the flexibility to work around busy schedules and juggling multiple commitments, especially for volunteer coaches who are working professionals or parents, will be a game changer.  

“Breaking down any barrier to make it easier for coaches will help us keep up with the growth of the game and provide more representation for women and girls in the local and elite coaching space.

“I love coaching and what I’ve been able to learn so far along my journey. Having the ability to ‘choose your own adventure’ with the new coaching modules allows coaches to develop skillsets in areas specific to their coaching development needs.”  

For more information, FAQs and a step-by-step guide to start your coaching journey, visit: play.afl/coachaccreditation