Cricket Coach Accreditation: A Guide for Parents
As a parent, you want the best for your child—especially when it comes to helping them enjoy and grow in the sport they love. If your son or daughter plays cricket, you’ve probably heard terms like “Level 1 Coach” or “Level 2 Accredited.” But what does this actually mean, and how do you know which type of coach is the right fit?
This guide breaks down Cricket Australia’s coaching pathway so you can make confident, informed decisions about your child’s development in the game.
What is a Level 1 Cricket Coach?
Ideal for: Kids aged 5–11, playing in junior or school cricket
Level 1 coaches (Community Coach Accreditation) are often the first point of contact for young players starting their cricket journey. These coaches are typically parents, volunteers, or young coaches who have completed training to deliver safe, inclusive, and engaging sessions.
What they focus on:
- Making cricket fun and enjoyable
- Teaching basic skills (batting, bowling, fielding, wicketkeeping)
- Keeping kids active and involved
- Creating a safe environment for learning and participation
If your child is just starting out in Woolworths Cricket Blast or playing in the lower junior age groups (Cricket Australia Stage 1), a Level 1 coach is usually more than suitable.
What is a Level 2 Cricket Coach?
Ideal for: Players aged 12–16, or those playing in representative, senior school teams or older age group club teams.
Level 2 coaches (Representative Coaches) have experience working with players who are developing more advanced skills and playing in more competitive settings. They’ve completed a more intensive accreditation that covers season planning, skill progression, and holistic player development.
What they bring to your child’s experience:
- Technical coaching for more advanced batting, bowling, and fielding
- Individual development plans and feedback
- Tactical understanding (game awareness, decision-making)
- A focus on confidence, character, and resilience as players grow
If your child is playing representative cricket, or is looking to progress to that level or beyond, a Level 2 coach offers the structure and expertise needed.
What is a Level 3 Cricket Coach?
Ideal for: High-performing cricketers at the elite levels of the game.
Level 3 coaches (High Performance) are highly qualified and experienced professionals, often working for professional cricketing organisations (state and national bodies).
What sets them apart:
- Deep expertise in athlete development, performance, and data analysis
- Advanced understanding of mental skills, and high-level tactical coaching
- Access to elite networks and coaching systems
- Ability to manage training loads, injuries, and long-term progression
These coaches are best suited to players already competing at a high level and seeking to become professional cricketers.
CricketLAB Coaching Tiers
Accreditation is just one part of the process in determining our CricketLAB Coaching Tiers. Our tiers are scaled as follows:
CricketLAB Tier 1 Coaches - Coaches most suited to working closely with club level cricketers, or with representative players in an assistant coach capacity. Our Tier 1 coaches will have Community accreditation, with a background playing at a high level of junior or senior cricket.
CricketLAB Tier 2 Coaches - Coaches suited to working closely with representative level junior players looking for ways to further their game. Our Tier 2 coaches will have Representative accreditation, and generally specialise in one or two areas of the game.
CricketLAB Tier 3 Coaches - Coaches that have worked extensively with high performing junior and senior players over an extended period of time. Our Tier 3 coaches will have Representative or High Performance accreditation, specialise in certain areas, and have a thorough understanding of modern coaching education and trends.
What To Look For in a Junior Cricket Coach
Beyond the formal level, here are a few things you should expect of a high quality junior cricket coach:
- They create a fun and safe learning environment
- They offer clear, age-appropriate feedback
- They focus on long-term development, not just short-term results
- They care about character and attitude—not just performance
- They communicate well with both players and parents
Final Thought: The Right Coach Can Change Everything
The coach your child works with will play a major role in how they feel about cricket. Whether your child is just starting out or has big dreams in the sport, finding the right coach can ignite their love for the game and help them grow not just as a cricketer, but as a person.