The RFL has amended and updated the coach licence scheme to bring it into line with national coaching best practice. This supports rugby league in providing the best playing and training experience for players as possible.

The minimum requirements to be a licenced coach are:

A UKCC Level 2 coaching qualification (UK Coaching Certificate)A valid Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) which has been verified by the RFLHave attended a Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshop to gain and/or retain a Coaching Licence as of September 2013Signed and returned the Coaches Code of Conduct

Coaches should be aware that you can be qualified but not licenced –the two parts are different. The UKCC Level 2 coaching qualification provides coaches with best practice guidelines on how to coach and technical rugby league knowledge. Once it’s completed successfully, the qualification remains with you for life and forms a key part of the coach licence. The licence is a “licence to practice” and shows that coaches are able to deliver safe and enjoyable coaching sessions that will benefit players.

Coach licences are now linked to the DBS expiry date, and will be valid for a maximum of three years subject to when your DBS expires. You can apply for a new DBS six months before it expires.

Coaches who qualified before September 2013 and need to re-licence must sign the updated Code of Conduct (available on the RFL website) and have a current DBS verified by the RFL. They will then have until the end of the new DBS period to complete a Safeguarding course.

Coaches won’t receive an ID card (license) until all of the parts of the licence requirements outlined above are completed.

Level 1 qualified coaches are not required to be licenced and so won’t receive an ID badge. They must work under the supervision of a Level 2 licenced coach and are advised to attend a Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshop

For queries about the DBS process contact the Club Welfare Officer

For more information about licencing contact coaching@rfl.uk.com

For more information on the process and an online link to the RFL Coaches Code of Conduct please click here