Assistant Coach Qualification: Applications Reopening December 2025
- britishiceskating
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Applications for places on the fourth cohort for our Assistant Coach qualification are opening on Tuesday 2nd December at 1pm.
This cohort will begin their qualification in January 2026
Full details about the qualification are available here:
On successful completion of the course, Assistant Coaches will be fully licensed to independently teach, and earn money from teaching, the Skate UK programme.
There are only a limited number of spaces available on the cohort, and applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, so we advise applying early to avoid disappointment. Qualification Cost: £500 Key Dates for Cohort 5:
Fri 9th Jan 2026Â - Course material information emailed out.
Mon 26th Jan 2026Â - Online induction session via Zoom.
Thurs 26th Jan 2026– Session 1 "The Collective" - Online zoom session.
February 2026Â - In-person education (details TBC with enrolled trainees).
April 2025– Online safeguarding course. Exact date TBC
Oct 2026 – Written/Practical assessment. Exact date TBC
Below you can find answers to frequently asked questions about the qualification - if you've got a question not answered here, get in touch with us at coaching@iceskating.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions:
How old must I be to apply?
You must be minimum 16 years old at the point of beginning the qualification. For Cohort 4 this means applicants must be 16 by 9th Jan 2026.
How do I apply?
Application Process:
Log in to your Sport80 accountÂ
Click 'Coach Applications'
Click 'Add Coach Application'
Follow the on screen prompts. You will need your mentor's details (including their BIS No. and email address) and your completed application form which can be found here by clicking "important forms & guidance". Please note, your mentor will need to sign your application form.Â
Once processed and approved you will be notified to pay for the application. Your place is not secured until payment is received.Â
Spaces on the cohort will be filled on a first come, first served basis, with a place only secured once payment has been completed. Applications cannot be submitted before 1pm 2nd December.
How long will it take me to complete the Assistant Coach qualification?
It will take you approximately nine months from start to finish (a little longer if you need to resit your assessment).
How much does the qualification cost, and what is included?
The Assistant Coach Qualification costs £500. This includes:
modules and guidance freshly updated to reflect industry best practice
the applicant’s license fee for their first year once qualified
written and practical exams (including Competency Test if needed)
education from experts in the field at the BIS Coaching Convention or a dedicated Education Day (cohort-dependent)
multiple professional development courses
Find out more about exactly what the course involves here.
What does the Competency Test involve?
The Competency Test will assess your ability to demonstrate necessary skating skills in a safe and controlled manner while maintaining awareness of the rink and skaters around you.
To pass, you should be able to competently perform all of the required elements of Skate UK levels 1-8, while demonstrating situational awareness (for example, being able to stop in a controlled manner to assist a participant, or to avoid potential collisions).
The Competency Test is only required for applicants who do not already hold a Level 1 National Skills test. This is to allow skaters from all backgrounds to begin their coaching journey here as long as they can demonstrate the necessary skating skills.
What if my rink doesn't do Skate UK, or runs an older version of Skate UK?
You do not have to be based at a BIS-approved rink to apply for or successfully achieve this qualification.
The learn to skate programme at your rink should still cover the fundamentals of ice skating that must be learned and demonstrated in order to qualify; this learning must then be made evident in your recorded mentor hours. The Skate UK app may be helpful for tracking exactly what you need to cover.
What are 'cohorts' and why are they capped at a limited number?
Your cohort is the group of people studying the course at the same time as you. We limit the number of people in each group to ensure we can deliver the course to a high standard, providing you with quality contact time from instructors and staff and better value for money.
Who can be my mentor?
A mentor can be any BIS level 2+ coach who has been coaching for at least 5 years. Please check with your desired mentor that they meet this criteria and are happy to act as your mentor before applying.