Information and course details Level 1

LEVEL 1 COURSE DETAILS:

LEVEL 1 - PDPA DARTS COACHING COURSE
The course is a mixture of online and face to face training. It is the delegates responsibility to attend all aspects of the course and have access to ZOOM (with a camera/web cam).

Certification is by the PDPA & 1^st4Sport by attendance on both parts of the course, please note that you cannot attend part 2 of the course unless you have completed part 1 of the course.

NEXT DATES & TIMES TBC for 2026:

PART 1 - Course induction and Safeguarding & Child Protection Training: A Guide for Sportspeople - UK Coaching/NSPCC
Venue – Online via Zoom 
Duration – 3 hours 
Dates & Course Timings – Date to confirm with PDPA - 1.00 pm till 4.00pm with the zoom link open 30 minutes before the course commences.

Places are confirmed on a first come, first served basis when the application process is complete, and the course fee is paid in full. All official PDPA Darts Coaches need to be up to date with the rules and regulations of the sport which can be found at  DRA Rulebook | Darts Regulation Authority (thedra.co.uk)

CERTIFICATION 

Is via UK Coaching, this is an additional certificate which should be retained as part of your own Continuous Personal Development (CPD). This will be issued on submission of your personal confidential course evaluation, via email on conclusion of the course 

TRAINING PROGRAMME SUMMARY

Welcome & Introductions:
Course overview - The PDPA Darts Coaching Code of Conduct – an introduction to the official Code and Conduct which needs to be read and fully understood, signed, and brought to part 2 of the course - Safeguarding & Child Protection (SPC)

PART 2 - HOW TO COACH DARTS

Course Tutors- Glen Durrant & Jamie Caven 
Venues TBC – face to face  
Duration – 8 hours including lunch which is provided within your course fee together with refreshments 
Course timings – 10.00 am till 5.00 pm 
Date- Date to confirm with the PDPA (places are confirmed on a first come first served basis when the application process is complete, and the course fee is paid in full) 
Certification – via the PDPA & 1^st4 Sport.

TRAINING PROGRAMME SUMMARY

10.00am Welcome and Introductions.
The PDPA vision for Darts Coaching – Alan Warriner-Little - President of the PDPA
The role of the PDPA within Professional Darts- Peter Manley - Chairman of the PDPA
An overview of what’s happening during today’s course
Course objectives & Learning Agreement -
The role, responsibilities, and Coaching principles of an official PDPA Darts Coach -
The importance of good communication whilst Coaching
Why eating healthy can improve playing Darts
How to mentor and set targets using the GROW model
How to set up & promote your own Darts Coaching part time/full time Coaching Business, Darts Academy or Junior Club.

12.30pm – 1.00pm (Lunch -Provided)

How to Play & Coach the BASIC mechanics of Darts using the official PDPA darts training programme introducing the following 

How to purchase the best equipment for you. Where can you play, practice and progress into official competitions. Visualisation - Stance - Balance - Elbow - Grip - Follow through - Reflection

An interactive session working in pairs learning how to take your first steps in Darts coaching via the official “Train the Trainer” model with tutorial support supported by visual and recorded technical analysis learning techniques. 

Following the course each learner will receive video footage/analysis highlighting their playing and Coaching performance, this will support their Continuous Professional Development (CPD) as an official PDPA Darts Coach

5.00pm –  A review of the course

The learning objectives including course evaluation
Presentation of the course certificates and official PDPA Coaching polo shirt by Alan Warriner-Little - President of the PDPA & Peter Manley - Chairman of the PDPA. Media pictures and interviews – Course concludes

Payment & Terms

Full payment of £249 is payable on application together with a fully completed latest version of the Course application form and a copy of proof of identification such as a passport or driving license

Please note that payments are non-refundable.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they attend ALL parts of the course.

During the course programme If for any reason you are unable to attend all parts of the course, no refunds will be issued, and payments made will not be made towards a future course.

Payment can be made by bacs/bank transfer, please contact [email protected] for the bank details/payment form.

Places will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Course places are limited to up to 15 people per course

How to apply for Level 1 - Here

Further details will be issued on an ongoing basis. The PDPA Coaching Programme offers confidential Information Advice & Guidance (IAG) For any queries or information please feel free to contact [email protected]

DBS Checks

Enhanced DBS check – this is if a coach based within the UK is intending to perform a “regulated activity” which is defined as an unsupervised activity with a child, on a weekly basis or at least 4 times per month, further information can be found at Regulated activity with children in England and Wales - GOV.UK

This will is available via our partner organisation Personnel Checks at a cost including administration of £71.50 by clicking the following link: https://app.personnelchecks.co.uk/self-initiate/cbaeecf9-971d-4435-b539-ff509f6a35db/darts-enhanced-tutor

NOTE: These are easier to be done on your mobile device. The ID needed is generally your passport and driving licence (Others are applicable) 

Basic Disclosure – this check is for all other Coaches based within the UK who are intending to perform any Coaching activity other than a regulated activity.

Further information can be found at Request a basic DBS check - GOV.UK

This will is available via our partner organization Personnel Checks at a cost including administration of £41.50 By clicking the following link

https://app.personnelchecks.co.uk/self-initiate/cbaeecf9-971d-4435-b539-ff509f6a35db/darts-basic-dbs

Your DBS check will be processed as part of your courses application, it is your responsibility to complete the check with Personnel Checks.

For SCOTLANDS Applicants you need to go to mygov.scot please click here 

For NORTHERN IRELAND applicants you will need to apply for a AccessNI Check. Further information can be found at Apply for an AccessNI check | nidirect

For other areas not UK/Ireland please source your required authority. 

For IRELAND via the Garda

Garda checks are only really done direct with them via either an organisation or the applicant. I will provide some information below.

Garda vetting definitely requires a company to request this. Police certificates can be done personally NOT EMPLOYMENT, as that would be garda vetting. But if they are to request one for themselves it may be possible. Here is some information https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/online-services/data-protection-foi-police-certificates/police-certificates.html

What must the applicant supply?

Applicants for police certificates should make an application in writing to the superintendent in charge of the district wherein they reside, or formerly resided, in the Republic of Ireland. Please go to our station directory to find out who your district superintendent is.

Your application in writing should include the following:

• your full name as on your birth certificate including your maiden name if applicable
• your date and place of birth (or a copy of your birth certificate)
• your current address
• all addresses at which you have lived at in Ireland and when you lived there
• the place and purpose for which you require the certificate

You should also include with your application:

• a copy of your passport, driving license or similar for identification purposes
• a stamped, self addressed envelope

Contact details

Requests can be written free-formed, or via a downloadable application form

The information on this country was last updated: January 2025

“Become an Official PDPA Darts Coach”

The Official PDPA (Professional Darts Players Association) Darts Coaching Programme is a series of Coaching Courses developed for Darts Enthusiasts around the world to learn how to Coach Darts Professionally, Safely & Effectively at all levels Regulated & Endorsed to UK National Coaching Standards.

Alan Warriner-Little President of the PDPA says:
We are all delighted to get the official PDPA Coaching Programme up and running, all other UK Sports have an official coaching programme for their sport, Darts did not, this has now changed.

This is the first and currently the only accredited Darts Coaching Scheme with 1^st4sport and UK Coaching, endorsed by our Sports Governing Body the DRA and the PDC.

This is the only way to do this properly for the future of our Sport, our team has the vision for a professional approach and delivery of what is needed for a coach to succeed.

We are all looking forward to getting started, we hope you are too. Enjoy.

What’s involved ….
Level 1 – the PDPA Darts Coaching Course has been developed in partnership with UK Coaching & 1st4Sport as its entry level Coaching badge ensuring all its Coaches complete the relevant checks within their chosen country and receive Safeguarding & Child Protection training.

Aspiring Coaches will learn as part of their course….

• Safeguarding & Child Protection training
• The roles & Responsibilities of an official PDPA Darts Coach
• How to communicate effectively with your pupils
• Why eating healthy can improve playing Darts
• How to plan your Coaching sessions
• Instruction on how to Play & Coach the mechanics of Darts using the official PDPA darts training programme comprising of an interactive session working in pairs learning how to take your first steps in Darts coaching via the official “Train the Trainer” model with tutorial support supported by visual and recorded technical analysis learning techniques.
• How to set up & promote your own Darts Coaching part time/full time Coaching Business, Darts Academy or Junior Club.
• Coaches from Level 1 will have preference for Levels 2 and 3.

Following the course each learner will receive video footage/analysis highlighting their playing and Coaching performance, this will support their Continuous Professional Development (CPD) as an official PDPA Darts Coach

The PDPA Strategic Coaching Policy

As part of its strategic Coaching Policy the PDPA will consult with its new official Darts Coach’s, Professional Players and industry representatives via the new PDPA Darts Coaching Steering Group which will act as the industry representative body to support the future development of Coaching & technical levels based on the progress of the Level 1 -PDPA Darts Coaching Course.

The group will be chaired and led by former tour professionals Glen Durrant & Jamie Caven with new members invited to join the group on an ongoing basis.

Following the introduction of the official Level 1 -PDPA Darts Coaching Course, the PDPA working in partnership with 1^st4Sport Qualifications will research and develop its Level 2- Certificate in Darts Coaching and its Level 3 Certificate in Advanced Darts Skills introducing a highly trained team of certified Professionals to support its Darts course delivery team of Glen and Jamie to deliver Nutrition, Sports Psychology, Bio Mechanics and Elite Darts practice and performance training together any additional aspects which the group feels are required to meet the needs of the sport.

The PDPA Coaching pathway will begin at level 1 with progression opportunities to Level 2 & 3 with no Accreditation of Prior Achievement (APA) available.

Expressions of interest taken via our application process by emailing [email protected]

Further details will be issued on an ongoing basis. The PDPA Coaching Programme offers confidential Information Advice & Guidance (IAG) For any queries or information please feel free to contact [email protected]