The suite of IRL Coach qualifications provide candidates with the skills, knowledge and behaviours they need to become a great coach.

Coaches who consolidate their learning through the CATO and CATO+ (IRL's continued professional development system) will put their learning into practice; developing their confidence and the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge over a period of time.

This improves the learning experience for candidates and ultimately means that the players they coach will enjoy an improved standard of coaching and enjoy a better experience. 

The IRL Level 1 Coach qualification is aimed at people new to coaching and/or those wishing to develop their knowledge and understanding of the sport of Rugby League.

The two-day course will enable coaches to introduce the sport of Rugby League to new participants and by the end of the course coaches wll be able to correctly coach the core skills of Rugby League, plan and deliver an enjoyable, progressive and safe training session, identify the playing positions in Rugby League, apply the Laws of the Game to basic principles of team play, understand some basic psychological principles in order to motivate their players, begin to develop a basic coaching philosophy, apply basic tactical principles in defence and attack and understand and apply basic principles of fitness for Rugby League.

Coaches who attend and successfully complete the course will be certified for 12 months, enabling them to coach. In order to be accredited (qualified), they must complete post-course work (CATO - the IRL's continued professional development system) within that 12 month period.

Level 1 CATO (IRL's continued professional development system) is for those who have undertaken the IRL Level 1 Coach course and wish to progress their journey and gain accreditation as a coach.

Accreditation is achieved by:

1) Planning, delivering and evaluating six linked coaching sessions
2) Undertaking a competency assessment at one of the sessions, which the Candidate will also evaluate
3) Completing a final evaluation

Level 1 CATO should be completed within 12 months of being certified and is actioned via the IRL Technical Education Portal, supported by an appointed Educator. 

The IRL Level 2 Coach qualification is aimed at people with at least one year's experience wishing to significantly enhance their knowledge and skills. 

The four-day course, which also has flexible delivery options, will enable coaches to plan, deliver and review a phase or a block of training and incorportate the principles of skill development into their coaching. Candidates will be able to recognise the physical and mental demands placed upon the player and plan training accordingly. They will be able to understand the importance of the ruck area and the factors that influence success in attack and defence and be able to develop a team's awareness of how to play in different areas of the field. Finally they will learn the importance of a good diet for players and be able to give nutritional advice and further develop their own coaching philosophies based on their current coaching practice. 

Coaches who attend and successfully complete the course will be certified for 24 months. In order to be accredited (qualified), they must complete post-course work - CATO+ IRL's continued professional development system - within that 24 month period.

Level 2 CATO+ (IRL's continued professional development system) is for those who have undertaken the IRL Level 2 Coach course and wish to gain accreditation for their qualification. 

Accreditation is achieved by:

1) Detailed analysis of three games at which the Candidate has coached their team
2) Profile one player during the three games and prepare an action plan for them
3) Review a coaching text or film and identify the learnings
4) Complete a self-evaluation of the Candidate's time as a coach during their CATO+ activities

Level 2 CATO+ should be completed within 24 months of being certified and is actioned via the IRL Technical Education Portal, supported by an appointed Educator. 

Once accredited, a candidate can begin training to become a Level 1 Coach Educator.