PDPA Coaches achieve coaching success.
The inaugural PDPA Level 1 Darts Coaching Course was held recently at the Cueball, Derby were 29 people from the UK and Ireland successfully completed the course to become the first official PDPA/1st4Sport Darts Coaches in the history of the sport.
Each of the Coaches received training in the following as part of their Coaching course….
- Safeguarding & Child Protection training certified by UK Coaching and the NSPCC
- The roles & Responsibilities of an official PDPA Darts Coach
- How to communicate effectively with your Darts pupils
- 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, or Club.
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
Alan Warriner-Little President of the PDPA says:
The journey has begun for the PDPA and more importantly our first 29 ‘Official PDPA Level 1 Coaches’ What an amazing two days we had in Derby earlier this month and we are already looking forward to developing Levels 2 and 3 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
What our newly certified official Coaches say:
“As a darts coach with over 4 years of experience coaching, I left the course feeling like I had learnt a lot from the plethora of darts coaches and players. Having professional players attend the course, showed the intent and dedication from the PDPA to make the course credible amongst the darting community.
Thank you”
Brian Ivey
"Huge step forward for the sport. We are all committed to its continued growth, and that’s only possible with good coaches to develop talent."
Daniel Poole, Straight to the point darts.
It's a fantastic course with lots of knowledge and experience. The atmosphere was supportive and engaging throughout the day and everyone listened supported and helped each other to make us become better and qualified coaches in the sport of darts. I would recommend this course to anyone thinking of coaching in this sport.
Paula Morgan
“I thought the course was excellent, I was already passionate about darts and growing the game, hence why I started an academy, and this course has opened another door for me in the 1.2.1 coaching aspect of darts. I feel that this qualification will be done the right way and can't wait for level 2”
Dan Thomas
“To know that the PDPA is now supporting us darts coaches with these brilliant structured and in depth courses, makes darts coaching now feel more worthwhile than ever before.
The course tutors bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the course to help coaches understand more what players are looking fo, and how we the coaches can help deliver them the best coaching possible”.
Shaun Rogers
“The course was well structured and very informative . It’s given the me confidence to now start my coaching journey. Looking forward to taking the next level”
Lorraine Winstanley
“I have played the sport of darts for many years and my career is slowly coming to the end. I was looking to still be involved in the game and I saw that the PDPA was offering this great opportunity to become and accredited Level 1 Coach and I thought that this would perfectly fit what I was looking for.
I would recommend to anyone to attend the course that wants to still be active in Darts after they have finished playing"
John O’Shea
“Great Course , very informative but in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Everyone was made to feel welcome and the tutors were excellent both in experience and delivery”
Doug Thoburn
“I found the course, at first very welcoming and settled in really quick among likeminded people, it was very evident that everyone there was very driven to helping the sport progress by wanting to develop it future/continued growth, that was a great feeling.
The comradery, the teaching aspect and business side of things was explained very well and clearly, which to me personally is very important as I can sometimes be not too well versed in some of those things, but I left confident knowing what bases I need to cover whilst also feeling that if I ran into a bump on the road I know where to go an feel comfortable doing so.
To finish, to me when I first started my Darts journey in 2006 I soon learned (or so i thought) that something like this course was like a pipe dream, it’s one of those "it'll never happen" "unsustainable" and for years it remained that way but here we are nearly 20 years on and it's happening and it’s just so special to be a part of it.”
James Webster
I feel that this course is a must for anyone looking to further themselves as a darts coach or mentor! We are looking to build a path for coaches within darts and this is the perfect first step towards that! With the backing from the PDPA I feel more confident within myself and my coaching! I can't wait for level 2!
Sam Squire
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
View the PDPA Darts Coach Course Programme here - Here
For information with regards to future course dates and locations, please contact nicola@pdpa.co.uk
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 card or bacs/bank transfer, please contact nicola@pdpa.co.uk for the machine, 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 officaldartscoaching@pdpa.co.uk
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 £65.50 by clicking the following link: https://app.personnelchecks.co.uk/self-initiate/cbaeecf9-971d-4435-b539-ff509f6a35db/darts-enhanced-tutor
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 £37.50 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
View the PDPA Darts Coach Course Programme – See Below
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
The opportunity to join 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 DRA Rulebook | Darts Regulation Authority (thedra.co.uk)
Or contact officaldartscoaching@pdpa.co.uk for help & advice as part of the PDPA’s Information, Advice & Guidance programme.
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 info@pdpa.co.uk 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
How to apply – See Application Form Below
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 info@pdpa.co.uk
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 officaldartscoaching@pdpa.co.uk
