Coach education

• Date: Tuesday 13 October
• Time: 6pm to 8.30pm
• Venue: Girdwood Community Hub
• Cost: Free

Sport should be a place where everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to participate without fear of discrimination. The LGBTQIA+ Awareness in Sport Course has been designed to help coaches, volunteers, administrators, officials, and sports leaders build their knowledge, confidence, and skills to create inclusive sporting environments for LGBTQIA+ participants.

Through interactive learning and practical examples, participants will explore the experiences and barriers that LGBTQIA+ people can face in sport and learn how to foster a culture of respect, belonging, and inclusion within their clubs and organisations.

What you will learn

• Understanding LGBTQIA+ terminology and identities.
• Recognising challenges and barriers experienced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in sport.
• Developing inclusive policies and practices.
• Creating safe, welcoming, and respectful sporting environments.
• Responding appropriately to discrimination and exclusion.
• Promoting positive allyship and inclusive leadership.

Course benefits

By completing this course, participants will gain practical tools and knowledge to:

• Increase participation and engagement in sport.
• Support diversity and inclusion within their organisation.
• Build confidence in addressing inclusion-related issues.
• Create environments where everyone can thrive and reach their potential.
• Join the Movement

By investing in inclusion, we can help ensure that sport is truly for everyone. Together, let's create positive sporting experiences where all participants feel respected, supported, and empowered to take part.

Course developed in partnership with Here NI and local LGBTQIA+ sports organisations, supporting Belfast's commitment to inclusion through the European City of Sport 2026 programme.

Register for a course

To book on one of our coach education courses complete our online form.

Register for a Coach Education course

All courses are available to book online on a first-come, first-served basis, giving coaches across Belfast the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge while contributing to the growth of sport in the city.

• Date: Wednesday 14 October
• Time: 7pm 
• Venue: Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre
• Cost: £10

This workshop aims to raise awareness of child safeguarding issues in sport and introduces participants to what is good practice for children’s sport and how to report any concern. This workshop is important for all adults involved in children’s sport, but is essential for Coaches, Leaders, Administrators, and Officials. The workshop has mandatory pre-learning which must be undertaken before attending the workshop.

Register for a course

To book on one of our coach education courses complete our online form.

Register for a Coach Education course

All courses are available to book online on a first-come, first-served basis, giving coaches across Belfast the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge while contributing to the growth of sport in the city.

• Dates: Thursday 15 and Thursday 22 October
• Duration: 6 hours over two evenings 
• Time: 6pm to 9pm each evening
• Venue: Proparamedics Training Centre, Maryland Industrial Estate, Ballygowan Road, BT23 6BL
• Cost: £30

Our First Aid for Sport course has been designed specifically for people involved in sports clubs, coaching and sporting activities. The course provides practical, relevant first aid knowledge and skills to help participants respond confidently to common injuries, illnesses and emergencies that may occur during sporting activities.

What will the course cover?

The course includes a wide range of practical first aid topics relevant to the sporting environment, including:

• Roles and responsibilities of the first aider
• Infection control, consent and recording
• Scene assessment and safety
• Managing an unconscious casualty
• CPR and use of an AED
• Angina and heart attack
• Stroke and seizures
• Choking
• Bleeding, wounds and catastrophic bleeding
• Anaphylaxis
• Fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains
• Head and spinal injuries
• Asthma and diabetes
• Fainting, shock and hyperventilation
• Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
• Hypothermia and hyperthermia
• Dehydration and muscle cramps

The course combines essential knowledge with practical skills, giving participants the confidence to respond appropriately to an emergency while waiting for further medical assistance where required.

No previous first aid experience is required.

Register for a course

To book on one of our coach education courses complete our online form.

Register for a Coach Education course

All courses are available to book online on a first-come, first-served basis, giving coaches across Belfast the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge while contributing to the growth of sport in the city.

• Date: Friday 16 October
• Time: 10am to 12 noon
• Venue: Girdwood Community Hub
• Cost: Free

Our Inclusive Bikes Programme is designed to help people of all ages and abilities experience the benefits, enjoyment, and independence that cycling can bring. Whether you are new to cycling, returning after a break, or require specialist equipment, this session is here to support you every step of the way.

Participants will learn how to safely and confidently use a range of inclusive cycles including: 

adaptive tricycles, side-by-side bikes, hand cycles, tandem bikes, specialist accessible cycles and our new wheelchair transporter electronically assisted bike that allows wheelchair users to enjoy outdoor journeys without transferring from their wheelchair.

The programme will cover:

• Introduction to different inclusive bikes
• Safe mounting and dismounting techniques
• Basic bike handling and manoeuvring skills
• Use of electric assist features
• Road and pathway awareness
• Confidence-building rides in a supportive environment

Our friendly and experienced instructors provide hands-on guidance tailored to individual needs and abilities.

No previous cycling experience is required.

The programme welcomes:

• Disabled people and those with additional support needs
• Older adults
• Individuals recovering from illness or injury
• Carers, family members, and support workers
• Anyone interested in exploring inclusive cycling options

Register for a course

To book on one of our coach education courses complete our online form.

Register for a Coach Education course

All courses are available to book online on a first-come, first-served basis, giving coaches across Belfast the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge while contributing to the growth of sport in the city.

• Date: Monday 19 October
• Time: 7pm to 8.30pm
• Venue: Sports Medicine NI, Montgomery Business Park, 40 Montgomery Road, Belfast BT6 9HL
• Cost: £20

Youth sport has become increasingly competitive, with many young athletes training year-round and specialising in a single sport at an earlier age than ever before. While physical development is important, our primary goal should be to develop healthy, resilient athletes who can enjoy sport, perform at their best, and remain active for the long term.

This seminar brings together leading experts in physical performance, injury prevention, and sports nutrition to provide practical guidance for coaches, parents, athletes, and healthcare professionals.

By the end of the seminar, participants will be able to:

• Understand long-term athletic development in youth sport
• Apply safe and effective strength, power, and speed training for young athletes
• Implement strategies to reduce injury risk and support recovery
• Recognise the signs of overtraining and burnout
• Understand the role of nutrition in athletic performance and healthy development
• Support young athletes to thrive both in sport and in life

Register for a course

To book on one of our coach education courses complete our online form.

Register for a Coach Education course

All courses are available to book online on a first-come, first-served basis, giving coaches across Belfast the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge while contributing to the growth of sport in the city.

• Date: Monday 26 October
• Time: 7pm to 8.30pm
• Venue: Sports Medicine NI, Montgomery Business Park, 40 Montgomery Road, Belfast BT6 9HL
• Cost: £20

This seminar explores two essential pillars of female athlete health and performance: pelvic health and nutrition. Participants will gain an understanding of common pelvic health concerns affecting female athletes, including pelvic floor dysfunction, the impact of pregnancy and the postpartum period, and considerations for returning to sport.

The session will also examine the unique nutritional needs of female athletes across different life stages, with a focus on energy availability, menstrual health, bone health, recovery, and performance. Attendees will leave with evidence-based strategies to support long-term health, optimise athletic performance, and reduce the risk of injury, illness, and burnout.

Dr Alan Rankin, Sports & Exercise Medicine Consultant, will provide an overview of key health considerations for the female athlete and introduce our specialist speakers, Ms Grainne Donnelly and Dr Sharon Madigan.

By the end of the seminar, participants will be able to:

• Understand common pelvic health issues experienced by female athletes.
• Recognise the impact of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery on athletic participation.
• Explore the relationship between nutrition, hormonal health, and athletic performance.
• Identify practical strategies to support performance, recovery, and long-term wellbeing in female athletes.
• Apply evidence-based approaches to reducing injury risk and preventing burnout.

Register for a course

To book on one of our coach education courses complete our online form.

Register for a Coach Education course

All courses are available to book online on a first-come, first-served basis, giving coaches across Belfast the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge while contributing to the growth of sport in the city.

• Date: Tuesday 3 November 
• Time: 7pm to 8.30pm
• Venue: Sports Medicine NI, Montgomery Business Park, 40 Montgomery Road, Belfast BT6 9HL
• Cost: £20

This seminar will provide coaches, teachers, sports professionals, and support staff with a practical understanding of concussion in sport. Participants will learn how to recognise the common signs and symptoms of concussion, understand the importance of early identification and appropriate management, and gain insight into current best-practice guidelines for removal from play and return-to-sport protocols. The session will explore the latest evidence-based approaches to concussion care, helping attendees develop the confidence to make informed decisions when concussion is suspected. Attendees will leave with the knowledge and practical skills required to protect athlete health, wellbeing, and long-term performance.

This seminar will be presented by Dr Alan Rankin, Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine and Medical Director, Sports Medicine NI and Gareth Robinson, Director of Physiotherapy, Sports Medicine NI.

By the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

• Recognise the signs and symptoms of concussion in athletes and identify when a concussion should be suspected.
• Apply current best-practice guidelines for the immediate management of a suspected concussion, including safe removal from play and referral pathways.
• Understand the principles of recovery and return-to-sport, including the stages of graduated return to activity and the risks associated with premature return to play.
• Support athlete health and safety by communicating effectively with athletes, parents, coaches, teachers, and healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate concussion management and long-term wellbeing.

Register for a course

To book on one of our coach education courses complete our online form.

Register for a Coach Education course

All courses are available to book online on a first-come, first-served basis, giving coaches across Belfast the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge while contributing to the growth of sport in the city.