Education & training
2026 Accreditation Courses | Expressions of Interest
Now Open
Preparing for the 2026 rugby season starts now.
Downs Rugby is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for our 2026 Accreditation Courses for coaches, referees and volunteers across the region. These courses play a critical role in ensuring our clubs are confident, compliant and well supported heading into the new season.
Courses will be confirmed based on demand, so early EOIs are essential to allow us to finalise facilitators, venues and delivery dates.
Submitting an EOI is non-binding, but it greatly assists planning and helps us deliver the right courses, in the right places, at the right time.
Why Register Your Interest?
Supports effective planning and course confirmation
Helps ensure your club meets accreditation requirements
Builds confidence and capability across coaches, referees and volunteers
Sets your club up strongly for the 2026 season
2026 Courses Currently Available
January
17–18 January - Junior Coaching Course (U10–U15)
February – March
Referee Ready
First Aid Certificate
March
Coaching Kids Rugby (U8–U9)
Community Coach (U16 – Senior)
Register your Expression of Interest today to help us confirm courses and support clubs across the Downs Rugby region.
If you have any questions or are unsure which course is right for you or your club, please contact Downs Rugby.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
It is Downs Rugby’s goal to have our coaches and staff actively engaged in education & training.
2025 Changes to Coach Accreditation
The new coaching course and accreditation structure relates to Rugby Australia’s vision of “Right Coach – Right Environment”. As such, Coaching Accreditation is now split into the following areas:
Game Activator
Junior Coach
Community Coach
Pathway and Performance Coaches
Game Activator
While they will register as a COACH, the people who support the learning and participation in our Under 4 to 7 Get into Rugby age groups, will complete a Game Activator (U4-U7) course.
Junior Coach
A Junior Coach will complete either of the following courses dependent on the age group they are coaching, a Coaching Kids Rugby U8-U9 Skills, or a Junior Coach Course (U10-U15).
Community Coach
A Community Coach of teenage and adult players will have a choice of completing either a 1-day Essential Coaching Skills course, or a longer Community Coach (U16-Senior) course.
Pathways and Performance Coach
Pathway and Performance Coaches will be selected upon application. Coaches would need to have a minimum current Community Coach (U16-Senior).
All coaches must be registered and have completed a current Smart Rugby and an annual Season Ready.
Rugby AU Learning Centre
When you log into your profile on a web browser via Rugby Xplorer you will see the option to enter the Learning Centre. This will provide you with the following choices and will display content based on your current ROLE REGISTRATIONS:
Skills Passport: a list of your current qualifications
Resource Library: pdf downloads and web links for resources
Training Library: this is where all the accreditation courses are
Training Event: an interactive calendar of all courses available
My Training: your current incomplete enrolments
It is important that you are currently registered in the specific role with a club and or school to be able to access the relevant course.
It is necessary to register your attendance at any of these courses by logging onto Rugby AU Learning Centre.
PAST Courses - 2025
Coach EDUCATION | 8 & 9 February
VENUE | DOWNLANDS COLLEGE
Junior Coach Course > Saturday Only | 8:30am - 4:30pm
Community Coach Course > Saturday & Sunday | 8am - 5pm
RESOURCES:
Coaching Resources - Rugby Au