Level 1 Course The Level 1 course is for Head coaches working with 15 a side teams. The course deals with the Principles of Play by developing them through the use of Key Factor Analysis, applied to the Individual skills, mini-unit skills, unit and team skills.
At the end of the course the coach is expected to identify and rectify technical deficiencies together with the ability of planning, organising, managing, communicating and developing the skills of his/her players through the implementation of sport specific and generic modules.

The course develops the coach as 'Challenger'.

Entry criteria
• Participants must be 18yrs of age.
• Participants must have proven rugby playing/coaching experience
• Actively coaching a 15-a-side team (Stage 3 LTPD)

Numbers Per Course
35 maximum/15 minimum

Accreditation
• Pre-Course Requirement - all attendees must complete an online 'Concussion Awareness' module and examination before printing off their certificate of completion and presenting it upon arrival at the course. Details of this online module are available from the local Branch Coach Development Office.
• Full course attendance (including two link courses)
• Pass a Laws test
• Log 40 hours coaching (diary) at appropriate level
• Complete a minimum of one Practical Coaching Observation

The IRFU reserves the right to modify, replace or add to accreditation requirements in accordance with updates to Coach Development programmes.

Re-Validation
The IRFU Coaching Accreditation Re-Validation programme is currently under development and due for launch in season 2017/2018.

It is envisaged that IRFU coaching accreditations will be re-validated on a 3 yearly basis provided coaches have fulfilled specific 'Continuing Professional Development' (CPD) requirements during that 3 year period from when they received their IRFU coaching accreditation.

Such CPD requirements will vary by accreditation Stage/coaching level, and opportunities to build on existing IRFU coaching accreditations will be provided by way of provincial workshops, seminars and conferences as well as online resources aimed at promoting coach development in a more self-directed manner.