Certificate in Sports Training and Development

This certificate will help you gain the skills and knowledge for working or further training in the sports training sector. The content gives athletes and coaches the knowledge to allow themselves and others to achieve their potential.  The programme has a strong focus on sport psychology, nutrition and exercise prescription and finding out how the body becomes stronger, fitter and faster when stressed by exercise.  The programme aims to introduce individuals into the fitness industry, as graduates will gain the study skills and knowledge to progress into further study.                                            

One to eight unit standards may be studied per intake. Part-time students are recommended to follow the order of units listed here.

Full-time students will work through units 5366, 5368, 5369 and 6571 in the first seven weeks and units 5373, 6572, 22265 and 22266 in weeks eight to fourteen.

5366 Apply the Basic Principles of Applied Sport Psychology

(Level 4, 6 credits)

Apply the basic principles of sport psychology: "It's all about the top two inches."  Learn how others can perform at their peak when under the pressure of tight competition.

Required to work with an individual athlete – prescribing, monitoring and evaluating a psychological skills training programme.

5368 Demonstrate Knowledge of Basic Functional Anatomy and Physiology as they Relate to Movement

(Level 3, 7 credits)

Demonstrate knowledge of basic functional anatomy and physiology as they relate to movement. The human body is the perfect machine.  Investigate the various structures of the body and find how these different components work together.  A prerequisite for US 22266

5369 Prescribe a Basic Physical Activity Programme to Meet Specific Performance Goals

(Level 4, 7 credits)

Identify the components of fitness that are important to a number of sports and determine methods of training these components. You will then pull this information together to write a basic training programme for your sport in order to achieve specific goals that you have set for the season.

Required to participate in a physical training programme – prescribing, monitoring and evaluating a physical training programme for yourself.  A prerequisite for US 22265

5373 Explain the Management of Extreme Environments and Travel in a Coaching Situation

(Level 4, 4 credits)

Study how athletes can maximise their performance when competing at altitude, in the heat, the cold, and in a polluted environment.  Explain the management of extreme environments and travel in a coaching situation.  

6571 Demonstrate Relevance of Principles of Nutrition Health

(Level 2, 2 credits)

Demonstrate relevance of principles nutrition to health.  What do we require from our food to keep us healthy? We need a number of nutrients for our body to be at its best. You will find out what they are, the food from where they originate and what happens if we are getting too much or not enough.

Recommended to complete before US 6572

6572 Apply the Principles of Nutrition to People Involved in Physical Activity

(Level 4, 4 credits)

To perform at our best we need to put the correct fuel in the tank.  We need to consume the right food and fluid, in the right amount, at the right time for our sport.  Once we get this balance correct we will have the opportunity to perform to our potential.

Required to record and analyse diet and exercise nutrition

22265 Demonstrate Knowledge of Exercise Prescription

(Level 3, 7 credits)

Learn about the principles of exercise and the components of fitness.  Understand how various types of training are created and be able to explain potential reasons for undesirable training responses and poor adaptation, then identify remedial actions and identify the role of preparation (warm up) and recovery (cool down) for various training types.

Required to work with an individual athlete, prescribing an exercise programme tailored to specific sporting needs.  To follow 5369.

22266 Demonstrate Knowledge of Exercise Physiology and Human Anatomy

(Level 3, 10 credits)

Learn about the nervous, musculature, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems and their functions, and describe the acute physiological responses and chronic physiological adaptations of the body's systems to exercise.  To follow US 5368.

Enrolment: Application forms are filled out on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes on the one application form.  Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students.  There is no automatic enrolment rollover.

Transfers:  All study selected for a particular intake must be completed within that intake period and cannot be carried over to another intake, unless a transfer is requested within the first two weeks after the start date.  Each transfer requested into an alternative intake will incur an admin fee of $50.  Transfers are not permitted two weeks after the intake start date or between academic years.

Withdrawals:  In order to get a refund of fees, students must advise SIT2LRN of their application withdrawal, in writing, 14 days prior to programme start date.  Students can withdraw up to 75% of the way through the course, but will still be liable for the fees. Students must advise SIT2LRN in writing of their programme withdrawal.

This programme requires a computer and internet access. All students are required to use their SIT webmail only. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system, for which access will be given during the period of study.

Facilitator Assistance:  During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only).  All students are required, within the first two weeks of intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study.  Students who have not completed this enrolment process or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2^nd week of intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme.  Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fee Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

Assessments for this course generally include short answers assignments. Some units involve open book tests, and developing and monitoring training programmes. There are no external exams for this course.

The Zero Fees Scheme applies to this course, so there are no tuition fees as long as you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (residing in NZ), BUT there is a student direct material cost of $5.50 per credit of study undertaken, plus the required textbook/s listed below.  You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.

Payment is due on the start date of each intake enrolled in - for just the paper/s or unit/s that you have enrolled in for that intake.

All SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink.  Any queries regarding Studylink allowances, loans, and terms and conditions should be made directly to Studylink on 0800 88 99 00 or www.studylink.govt.nz.

For US5368, the required textbook is:

The Anatomy Colouring Book (3rd ed)

Author: Kapit & Elson (2002)

Publisher: Pearson

For a quote from the SIT Bookshop please call: 0800 888 220 or email: bookshop@sit.ac.nz.

At the successful completion of this programme, students will have the required competencies to function successfully and effectively at operational levels within the sports training sector. 

A graduating student could be expected to undertake employment in areas such as coaching/retail sectors, or continue on to further study in our Diploma in Sport and Recreation or Bachelor of Sport and Exercise.

All applicants should demonstrate a keen interest in sport and exercise and academic attributes which demonstrate that applicants have a reasonable likelihood of successful completion of the programme.  A minimum of 16 years of age is required and mature students (20 years of age or over at commencement of programme) are welcome to apply.

SIT2LRN marks students with a Competent (C) or Not Yet Competent (NYC) - no grades are given.

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this qualification they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all modules/unit standards, and achieved a total of 47 credits, as specified in the programme schedule.

The student completing the Certificate in Sports Training and Development will normally be expected to complete the 14 week programme (full time equivalent) over no more than two years.  The Head of Faculty may approve longer periods to complete the programme, following consideration by the Board of Studies.