Coach Education Framework

Artistic swimming coaches are vital to giving young athletes the chance to fulfill their potential within the sport. There are several different artistic swimming coaching roles available in Australia, ranging from full-time professional coaches at one of the performance clubs to part-time and voluntary roles at smaller clubs. You don’t have to have been an artistic swimmer or been involved in artistic swimming at all to become a coach – ASA’s comprehensive artistic coaching courses cover all the complexities and techniques of the sport.

However, an understanding of water and knowledge of basic skulling will stand you in good stead. Artistic Swimming Australia (ASA) has developed a continual professional development coach education system in partnership with Sport Australia and World Aquatics.

The ASA Coach Education Framework outlines the step-by-step process by which coaches can develop their skills and experience.

The five courses are aligned with the FTEM model of pathway development. They are supported by the National Coaching Network of support, a skills acquisition program called Synchro Skills, and a dedicated Artistic Swimming eLearning Portal. 

What is Accreditation?

You will need to be affiliated to do your formal coach education qualification. You will be accredited for the rest of the year when you complete your initial coaching course.

A coaching qualification is only valid where there is a valid membership registration; the two combined form the coaching accreditation.

Each year you need to renew your accreditation to be covered under the HP@artisticswimming.org.au national insurance program. If you’re not accredited, then you do not have insurance coverage.

Annual Coach Accreditation Requirements Checklist

Artistic Swimming Australia (ASA) is dedicated at creating safe and conducive environments for all athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers for the highest quality of performance. We follow the most up to date compliance guidelines and procedures for all our member’s accreditations annually. The compliance and governance requirements are set by SPORT AUSTRALIA and SPORT INTEGRITY AUSTRALIA. Maintaining your annual membership and accreditation with ASA ensures that your Artistic Swimming practice within Australia is recognised, legal and covered by ASA’s insurance policies.

Please find the 2023-2024 Annual Coach Accreditation Requirement Checklist HERE

Transferring from Abroad and would like Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)?

ASA does recognise formal qualifications from other National Federations and FINA.
This needs to be checked and approved on a case-by-case basis, and all approved RPL awards will still be required to complete the equivalent ASA Coach Education qualifications free of charge over a set period to ensure that you are up to date with ASA programs.

As general guidance, we recognise the World Aquatics qualification for RPL as outlined above, then prior learning on a case-by-case basis, e.g., years of experience leading clubs in Australia, national titles in Australia, formal learning related to sport, Olympic coaching experience, etc.

If you are interested in RPL, please complete the RPL Form or contact the high-performance pathway team HP@artisticswimming.org.au. 

Interested in being a Tutor?

You must complete the Sport Australia Officiating General Principles and the sport-specific requirements.

If you are interested in being a tutor for ASA then please get in touch with us.

If there are any questions in relation to Coach Education, please contact the ASA Pathway Coordinator – HP@artisticswimming.org.au.