United Soccer 1, as one of New Zealand Football’s seven Federations, has a responsibility to provide opportunities and pathways for interested individuals to develop into quality football coaches. The Federation, in conjunction with New Zealand Football, operate a National Coach Education Program which provides a consistent and nationally recognised accreditation structure.

Under the 2009 updated coaching structure, a coach can become a specialist in any particular age group of their choice. Moving progressively upwards from junior to youth to senior is not necessarily desirable for many coaches. The new coaching scheme encourages a linear route to becoming a specialist coach in their own area of interest.

This new approach is founded on the following principles:

Appropriate for New Zealand - reflective of New Zealand’s unique culture and football environment.

Flexible - providing coaches with more choice and a higher degree of ownership in selecting and following their own development pathway.

Player centred – based on the needs of the players and designed to meet the age-related development needs of players throughout the game.

Applicable and practical - ‘on-the job learning’ experiences (creating and recognizing learning experiences in the coaching environment).

Life long learning - promoting continued personal development and self-responsibility for learning.

The new approach will provide multiple learning opportunities that allow coaches to identify and access personal development that relates with the players and their specific developmental needs. 


For example, a Coach may wish to become a specialist in Junior Football.

For more information on any of the Coaching Courses or to register for a course, email Jason Beeston or phone (09) 414 3689