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 & 1st4Sport 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:
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 – 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 
Venue – face to face – Cueball Darts Academy, Mansfield Road, Derby, DE21 4AW
Duration – 8 hours including lunch which is provided within your course fee together with refreshments 
Course timings – 10.00 am till 6.00 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 & 1st4 Sport.
TRAINING PROGRAMME SUMMARY
Welcome and Introductions.
10.00am 
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)
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
5.00 pm –  A review of the course 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

Alan Warriner-Little President of the PDPA says:

The journey has begun for the PDPA and more importantly our first ‘Official PDPA Level 1 Coaches’ What an amazing two days we had in Derby earlier this month on the first course and we are already looking forward to developing further Levels in 2026.

These Coaches are unique as they are the first to have an official accreditation in our sport to coach professionally and responsibly with ‘1st4Sport Qualifications’ and ‘UK Coaching’ We look forward to seeing them develop as part of the PDPA’s Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme.

The next dates are already arranged, for the next batch of coaches. Please see our website for further details www.pdpa.co.uk

Each of our newly qualified Coaches will receive

  • Nationally recognised official Certificates from the PDPA/1ST4Sport & UK Coaching
  • Official PDPA Coaching Polo shirt
  • Official PDPA Coaching License/Photographic ID Card
  • Professional training and support
  • Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) to support their Coaching development delivered by former Darts Tour Professionals
  • Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to ensure each Coach will develop and reach their full aspirations and potential

Why not join them and become a member of the PDPA Coaching team and support the growth of Darts around the world

Who can apply….

You need to be aged 18 by Part 1 of the Course and have a good understanding of how to play and understand the rules of Darts

Further information can be found at the DRA website Here

For information with regards to future course dates and locations, please contact [email protected]

Payment & Terms

Full payment of £199 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 - 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.

“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 1st4sport 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

What you will receive….

  • Nationally recognised official Certificates from the PDPA, 1ST4Sport & UK Coaching
  • Official PDPA Coaching Polo shirt
  • Official PDPA Coaching License/Photographic ID Card
  • Your details will be added to the specific area here as an offocial coach.
  • Professional training and support
  • Follow Up Zoom call after 6/12 months.
  • Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) to support your Coaching development delivered by former Darts Tour Professionals
  • Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to ensure you develop and reach your full aspirations and potential

How much does it cost?

  • Payment & Terms
  • Full payment of £199 is payable once application has been accepted.
  • Deposits & balance payments are non-refundable.
  • It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they attend ALL parts of the course.
  • 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 to a future course.
  • Payment can be made by bacs/bank transfer, please contact [email protected] for the bank details.
  • Places will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Course places are limited to up to 15 people per course

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 1st4Sport 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]