Study Sports Coaching (Online) At Flinders University

Take your coaching to the next level.
Study 100% online.

Whether you're a seasoned coach or just starting out, our Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching is packed with game-changing insights.

Dive into the secrets of game sense, athlete engagement, and how to keep players hooked.

This course is perfect for both new and seasoned coaches. You'll develop sharper problem-solving skills to tackle coaching challenges, all while boosting your technical and creative abilities. Plus, you'll become a more effective communicator, empowering you to pass on your coaching wisdom effectively to athletes.

Apply what you learn on the go. Study 100% online, fitting your classes around your own sporting commitments and busy lifestyle. It's time to level up your coaching game – join us and kick-start your journey to coaching success!

Applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching must normally hold a degree or equivalent qualification, or have a minimum of five full-time years of sports coaching experience as a professional, semi-professional or amateur occupation.

Hear from Associate Professor Sam Elliott, professional coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson and students Blake Derer and Rebecca Campbell about why this degree is perfect for coaches of all skill and experience levels who want to turn their passion into their profession.

Course Details - Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching

Up to 80% off fees due to Government subsidies*

Explore a range of postgraduate Public Health courses with up to 80% off fees, including the Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching.

^{*Government subsidies enable Flinders to offer domestic applicants a reduction of up to 80% off full course fees through Commonwealth Support Places. Not all courses. Offer subject to change.}

Why study Sports Coaching at Flinders?

At Flinders, we know sport and have expert researchers when it comes to coaching at both elite and community level with extensive industry experience.

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Five Stars
in Tourism, Hospitality, Sport & Leisure for overall educational experience.

(The Good Universities Guide 2025 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)

Hear from our students

Blake Derer, Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching

Rebecca Campbell, Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching

What you will study

Game Sense Games for Player Development

On completion of this topic you will be be able to:

Design, implement and reflect on the use of 'game sense games'
Analyse, evaluate and create understanding of the theoretical and applied concepts supporting a game-based approach
Reflect on the value of 'game sense games' on dimensions of player learning
Demonstrate understanding of a game-based approach as a core element of athlete centred coaching

Maximising Athlete Participation and Retention

On completion of this topic you will be be able to:

Assess current strategies for maximising participation and player retention in sport
Evaluate new approaches for maximising participation and player retention in sport
Select, implement and appraise contemporary methods for maximising participation and player retention in situ

Optimising Relationships in Sport

On completion of this topic you will be be able to:

Assess current strategies for developing relationships in sport
Evaluate new approaches for maximising interpersonal relationships in sport

Coach Developers

On completion of this topic you will be be able to:

Develop understanding of the impact coach developers have on coach learning and development
Develop the skills, knowledge and personal qualities that effective coach developers possess
Apply appropriate concepts and theories that explain the process of becoming a better coach
Implement and evaluate coaching conversations within your professional context with a focus on the building of the capacity of others
Reflect on and question personal current practices as a coach developer and how these practices can be improved

View Study Program

Learn from our experts

Associate Professor Sam Elliott

Associate Professor Sam Elliott is an internationally and nationally recognised expert in fields of sport parenting, participation and retention, and psychosocial outcomes in youth sport. His work spans sport sociology, sport psychology, and sport coaching. He has presented his work internationally in Australia, China, the UK, Canada, and the US, and has attained over $1 million in combined research grants, tenders and consultancies. Sam is an expert science communicator and co-host of Australia's leading community sport podcast Beyond the Club. He has held coaching positions at the South Adelaide Football Club in the SANFL.

Professor Shane Pill

Professor Shane Pill is an internationally recognised award-winning academic, mentor, speaker, & researcher in physical education, sport coaching & development, curriculum studies, & educational leadership. He has held coaching positions at the West Adelaide Football Club and the Woodville West Torrens FC in the SANFL. Shane has published over 200 research, scholarly & report publications. He has grant success in the areas of sport coaching, sport for development, coach development, and community sport engagement.

Dr Kym Williams

Kym Williams is a senior lecturer in Sport and Active Recreation. He teaches across a range of areas, including exercise prescription, physiological testing, functional anatomy, anthropometry, sports technology, data analytics, and biomechanics. He had also presented his research internationally in the US and the Pacific Islands, and at many leading national sport science conferences across Australia. Kym has 13 years of experience in the field of sport and exercise and sport science, including stints as a strength and conditioning coach at the AIS, where he supported numerous national sporting programs (Football Australia, Basketball Australia, Volleyball Australia, Netball Australia, and Swimming Australia) across two Olympic cycles.