Youth Athlete Development Coach Certification
The accredited youth certification delivering truly comprehensive, youth-specific expertise.
Evidence-based youth development education for coaches and personal trainers committed to excellence.
Become a Certified Youth Athlete Development Coach
If you are a…
Personal Trainer
Football Coach
Rugby Coach
Dance Teacher
Athletics Coach
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Hockey Coach
Netball Coach
Coach in Any Sport or Activity
youth specific expertise will set you apart from being generalist, to becoming a specialist.
If you are ready to
Elevate your professional reputation (so you are the ‘go to’ coach of choice)
Strengthen client and athlete retention as they will want to stay with you for longer.
Position yourself as the trusted expert for parents in your community (so they come to you and refer others to your services)
Improve outcomes for the young people you work with (and reduce their injury risk)
Be more attractive to employers, corporates and governing bodies as the youth coach of choice with specialised training
Increase your earning potential and double your monthly revenue income stream
Client Testimonials
“Currently working through the Youth Athlete Development Coach Certification, and the depth of evidence-based research is incredible.
It’s providing the 'why' behind the things I’ve seen in practice, giving a name to complex learning and development patterns in real-time. I especially appreciate the focus on real-world application (through live learning sessions)—ensuring this knowledge actually moves the needle for today’s young athletes."
-Tamara, Strength Coach
" I have just started this course and already I feel like it's going to change my future as a coach!”
Tracy is an amazing coach and teacher and I really recommend applying if you are looking to change the future of children's coaching!
-Samantha, Youth Sports Coach
"Just started the Youth Athlete Development Coach Certification and already it has been a genuinely eye‑opening experience for me.”
After more than ten years of coaching youth rugby, I felt confident in knowing what to coach, but this course made me realise how little I had considered how young athletes actually learn and develop mentally.
It challenged some of my long‑held assumptions and prompted honest reflection on my own coaching practice. I now have a much greater appreciation of how a young player’s cognitive and emotional development affects their learning, and I feel better equipped to adapt my approach to support their long‑term development as both athletes and individuals."
-Alan, Youth Rugby Coach
What You Will be Learning
A comprehensive accredited certification:
Module 1 - Introduction to Youth Athletes and Coaching Best Practices
Including
Young Athlete First Coaching
Emotional, Social and Cognitive Development
Theories of Learning in children and adolescents
Plus much more…
Module 2 - Physical Development, Motor Learning and Long Term Athletic Development
Including
Physical Development
Motor Learning Theories
LTAD Models
Plus much more…
Module 3 - Challenges and Considerations in Youth Sport and Physical Activity
Including
Early specialisation v multisport
Relative Age Effect
Current Coaching Contexts & Differentiation
Plus much more…
Module 4 - The Young Female Athlete
Including
Female Growth and Maturation
Breast Development & Menstrual Cycle Impact
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport
Plus much more…
Module 5 - The Young Male Athlete
Including
Male Growth and Maturation
Low Energy Availability and REDs
Young male specific training considerations
Plus much more…
Module 6 - Injury Prevention and Management in the Young Athlete
Including
Why Young Athletes Get Injured and How to Reduce Risk
Most Common Youth Specific Injuries and their Management
Return to Sport/Physical Activities
Plus much more…
You Will Get
Online Self Paced Lessons that can be done anytime, anywhere
Lessons are all less than 40mins to fit into busy lives and schedules
Weekly Live Teaching and Q&A
Community Support to enhance learning and implementation with like minded coaches
An Electronic and Physical Certificate to show your Achievement
6 months inside The Youth Sports Educator Lab after certifying
FAQs
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The CIMSPA endorsed Youth Athlete Development Coach Certification is the only one of its kind combining knowledge on emotional, social, cognitive and physical development as well as young male and female specific knowledge and injury prevention and management.
The certification is evidence based and due to the live teaching element and the ongoing support within the Youth Sports Education Lab you can be sure you will be up to date with the latest youth specific training information.
Live teaching, opportunity for Q&A and community support are invaluable in ensuring you get the best out of your learning within the YADCC
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Sports coaches, personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches or performing arts teachers who are passionate about ensuring they have the most up to date knowledge in coaching and training young people
Forward thinking gym owners who would like to ensure they have a specialist workforce
Those who either work with young people aged 8-18 years old or would like to work with young people 8-18 years old
You must already hold or be undergoing a coaching, teaching, S&C or PT qualification
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The certification has been designed to fit into busy lives with individual lessons being less than 40 mins each
It is advised to set aside 2 hours per week for online lessons plus 1 live lesson per week
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There is an end of course online written assessment with a pass mark of 80%
The assessment window is open for 2 weeks to give you plenty of time to complete it
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Yes the certification is CIMSPA endorsed which means that it is recognised by the International Confederation of Registers of Exercise Professionals (ICREPs)
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Yes, you can spread the the investment with a payment plan option
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Yes we provide ongoing learning and support inside the Youth Sports Educator Lab post graduation to enhance knowledge and support implementation.
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Yes we do, we cover what resistance training should look like at different ages and stages of development. We also cover how and when to progress and how hormonal changes during puberty and growth can change how we should be training our young people including specific young female and young male resistance training considerations.
Your Course Founder and Lead Educator
Tracy Kennedy BSc(Hons) MCSP PGCE
Is the Founder of The Youth Sports Educator and the Youth Athlete Development Coach Certification to support coaches, trainers and teachers working with young people in sport and physical activity to tailor training around the unique needs of the developing young athlete.
Tracy is a youth sports physiotherapist and teacher with more than two decades of experience in working with young people in clinical, school and sports settings. She founded The Youth Sports Educator after seeing how hard coaches and personal trainers were working to help young people, often without the developmental knowledge or support they needed which impacted their practice and the young people they were working with.
Her CIMSPA‑endorsed Youth Athlete Development Coach Certification gives coaches, PTs and those working in youth sport and physical activity the clarity and confidence to train growing bodies safely, effectively, and with long‑term development in mind.
Getting it right for our young people and those who support and coach them is something Tracy is passionate about.
“I am looking forward to supporting amazing coaches and trainers to become Certified Youth Athlete Development Coaches and lead the way in raising the standards in youth sport and physical activity.”
Tracy
(The Youth Sports Educator)
Your Investment
Study with us and become a recognised Certified Youth Athlete Development Coach this year
Secure your place with a small deposit of just £500
Student fees start from around £200 p/m.
Or take advantage of our Pay in Full option and receive additional bonuses
Understanding Pain in Young Athletes Mini Course (available immediately)
1:1 Mentoring Call with Tracy
Ask about our payment options to spread your investment today
Book a call with Tracy to find out more about the certification syllabus or join the waitlist for more information.