A clear pathway for Australian Taekwondo coaches – from grassroots to international high performance – built on quality education, connection across the coaching system and sustainable coaching environments.
Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art practised in 206 countries. The name combines Tae (foot, or to step on), Kwon (fist, or to fight) and Do (the way or discipline).
Coach development is a priority area for Australian Taekwondo. Our goal is to develop coaches from grassroots coaching through to International High Performance Coaches.
Taekwondo in Australia is at a pivotal moment. Coaches are more than technical instructors – they are leaders, mentors and cultural custodians who create safe, inclusive and high-performance environments.
This strategy adapts the AIS Coach Development Framework to the unique demands of Taekwondo, so our coaches are supported as people, leaders and enablers of performance.
Taekwondo is a leading sport for coach development in Australia.
To develop our coaches into elite High Performance Coaching leaders having an impact at each level of our pathway.
To support coaches to improve their coaching understanding and application at all levels of their coaching journey – through quality education, experience, individualised plans and a clear pathway for development.
Together they address how coaches learn, how they connect with others, and the environment in which they coach.
Develop highly capable coaches through structured education, mentoring, leadership development and continuous professional learning.
A connected coaching system where knowledge, expertise and innovation are shared across clubs, states, institutes and international partners.
Coaching environments that are safe, ethical, inclusive and sustainable, supporting coach wellbeing, diversity and long-term career development.
Build the foundations: publish the framework, launch the learning platform and resource library, deliver the inaugural National Coaching Conference, pilot ICDPs, establish the Para coach program, introduce tiered accreditation and run quarterly online coach forums.
Expand bespoke programs for women coaches, Para Taekwondo coaches and high-performance leaders, with stronger mentoring, international learning, athlete-to-coach transition and growth in Silver and Gold coaches.
A fully mature, internationally benchmarked system with sustainable pathways, elite coach leadership, succession planning, wellbeing support and a respected coaching profession.
A tiered model that recognises coaches who invest in continuous professional development (CPD), while keeping the minimum accreditation achievable for volunteers.
The minimum competency to safely and effectively coach Taekwondo.
Safe coaching · Athlete welfare · Technical competency · Competition rules · Club coaching
Accredited Coach
Recognises coaches committed to continuous learning and improving their coaching practice.
plus Foundation requirements
Recognises coaches demonstrating excellence, leadership and contribution to Australian Taekwondo.
plus Foundation requirements, including leadership and mentoring
If a coach does not meet the annual CPD requirement, they revert to Foundation accreditation until the required CPD is completed.
| Silver example | Hours |
|---|---|
| National Coaching Conference | 6 |
| Webinar | 1 |
| State workshop | 2 |
| Reflective practice | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
| Gold example | Hours |
|---|---|
| National Coaching Conference | 6 |
| International coaching seminar | 5 |
| Mentor an emerging coach | 3 |
| Present a workshop | 3 |
| Coach reflection & performance review | 3 |
| Total | 20 |
| Capability | Foundation | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Coaching | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Technical Knowledge | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Athlete Development | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Leadership | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Performance Planning | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Reflection | ★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Mentoring Others | – | ★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Innovation | ★ | ★★ | ★★★★★ |
Webinars count toward your annual CPD hours for Silver and Gold accreditation.
Coach development is a priority area. The framework creates a more structured national system so coaches can progress from grassroots coaching through to international high-performance coaching, while being supported as leaders, mentors and enablers of athlete performance.
No. It's designed for coaches across the whole coaching journey, with a structured pathway from Foundation through to High Performance and development opportunities for club, pathway, Para and performance coaches.
Coach Learning and Development; System Connection and Collaboration; and Sustainable Coaching Environments. Together they address how coaches learn, how they connect with others, and the environment in which they coach.
A national coach development framework, structured learning pathways, Individual Coach Development Plans (ICDPs) for identified system coaches, mentoring, an annual coaching conference, an online learning platform, Para coach development, an athlete-to-coach pathway, and Foundation, Silver and Gold accreditation for Kyorugi coaches.
Through a National Coach Network, Communities of Practice, State Coach Development Leads, a National Coach Knowledge Hub, coach developers, university and research partnerships, international exchanges and cross-sport collaboration – so shared learning becomes part of normal practice.
Coaching environments that are safe, ethical, inclusive and sustainable, supporting coach wellbeing, diversity and long-term development. Initiatives include wellbeing support, safe coaching education, recognition programs, career pathways, workforce planning, women-in-coaching initiatives, succession planning and retention strategies.
Foundation is the minimum coaching accreditation level. Silver recognises coaches who commit to ongoing professional development. Gold recognises coaches demonstrating coaching excellence, leadership and contribution to Australian Taekwondo.
Current Australian Taekwondo/NCAS coach accreditation, Safe Sport or safeguarding training, a valid Working With Children Check where applicable, First Aid where required for your role, Code of Conduct compliance, and accreditation renewal every three years.
Meet the Foundation requirements and complete a minimum of 10 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) each year.
Meet the Foundation requirements and complete a minimum of 20 hours of CPD each year, including leadership and mentoring activities.
Examples include the National Coaching Conference, State conferences and workshops, AIS learning modules, World Taekwondo courses, Sport Integrity Australia education, webinars, online learning, coach forums, Communities of Practice, athlete reviews, reflective practice, competition debriefs, video analysis, mentor meetings, observing experienced coaches, performance planning, national camps, international coach observations, sport science workshops, presenting workshops and developing coach resources.
You revert to Foundation accreditation until the required CPD is completed. This keeps Foundation achievable for volunteers while recognising coaches who maintain higher levels of ongoing development.
A Silver Coach certificate, listing as a Silver Coach on the Australian Taekwondo website, priority for coach development opportunities and eligibility for State pathway coach appointments.
Gold Coach recognition and national recognition, with eligibility for high-performance coach appointments.
Yes. The strategy includes a national mentoring program and ICDPs for identified system coaches. ICDPs will be piloted in 2026 with National Performance Coaches, Pathway Coaches and identified State coaches, expanding through the Los Angeles 2028 cycle.
A national Para coach cohort and mentoring program, expanded education including international classification and coaching workshops, and an inclusive national Para coaching workforce.
A Women in Taekwondo Coaching Strategy, scholarships, leadership development, mentoring and networking, with the goal of increasing women's representation across the coaching pathway.
Yes. A centralised online learning platform and resource library, progressing toward a National Taekwondo Coach Knowledge Hub with education, mentoring, research, videos, technical analysis, case studies and coaching resources.
Through success measures across each pillar – participation in learning activities, active ICDPs and mentoring partnerships, network activity, resource use, growth in women and Para coach representation, coach retention, wellbeing initiatives, international exchanges and increased Silver and Gold accreditation.
Via the annual Coach Learning Calendar, quarterly coach communications, online Communities of Practice, webinars and the central learning platform. Australian Taekwondo and State Member Organisations are the key channels for current opportunities.
Detailed operational arrangements, dates, eligibility rules and administrative processes will be confirmed through Australian Taekwondo communications as the framework is implemented.
Read the full strategy and the community guide.
If you can't find the information you need, get in touch with Australian Taekwondo.
