Coach Licencing

Every coach needs a valid Coach Licence for the 2026/27 season. Apply or renew through Sport80, Basketball Ireland's registration platform.

Registration for 2026/27 is open now. Last season's licences expired on 31 July and do not carry over.

The rule for 2026/27

From the 2026/27 season onwards, every coach involved in Basketball Ireland competitions must hold a valid Coach Licence. This applies at every level of the game, from underage club basketball to the National League, and it is part of the new Coaching Minimum Standards now in place for Irish basketball.

Licence checks will be carried out throughout the season at Basketball Ireland competitions. No coach should be coaching without a valid licence.

Summary

Register as a coach on Sport80 for the 2026/27 season.
Add a Coaching Licence to your Sport80 profile.
Upload three documents: your coaching certificate, your Garda Vetting and your Safeguarding 1 certificate.

The rest of this page explains each part in detail.

Licence and certificate: two different things

This is the single biggest source of confusion:

Coaching certificate	Coach Licence
Proves you completed a coaching course	Your permission to coach this season
Issued by Sport Ireland	Held on Sport80, issued by Basketball Ireland
Never expires	Must be renewed every season
Confirms your qualification	Confirms you are qualified, Garda vetted and safeguarding trained right now

A certificate on its own is not enough to coach. A licence from a previous season is not enough either. And a licence that used to show on your Helpside profile is no longer valid: from this season, Sport80 is the only home for coach licences.

What you need: three documents

Have these ready before you apply. All three must be in date:

1Coaching certificate

From any Sport Ireland-endorsed Basketball Ireland coaching course completed since 1997 (Introduction to Coaching, Level 1 or Level 2). Certificates never expire. Lost yours, or not sure of your level? Email nmcdermott@ireland.basketball with as much detail as you can about your course and we will check the Sport Ireland records for you. Not qualified yet? Upcoming courses are announced in the Helpside newsletter, or you can contact your local area board or Development Officer.

2Garda Vetting

Completed through Basketball Ireland (or AccessNI if you are based in Northern Ireland) within the last three years. If yours is older than three years, renew it through our e-vetting page before applying.

3Safeguarding 1 certificate

Completed within the last three years. To renew, re-take the Safeguarding 1 course through Helpside. Coaches under 18 are exempt until they turn 18, then must complete the course to keep their licence.

How to apply: three steps

Step 1: Register on Sport80

Go to basketballireland.sport80.com, log in or create an account, and register as a coach for the 2026/27 season. Registration is annual and there is a registration fee. If you get stuck, see the BI Registration Guide.

Step 2: Add your Coaching Licence

In your Sport80 profile, click "Licences", then "Add Coaching Licence".

Step 3: Upload your three documents

Upload your coaching certificate, Garda Vetting and Safeguarding 1 certificate. Basketball Ireland will then review and approve your application.

Once approved, your licence shows a green "Current" status under Licences in your Sport80 profile. That is your proof. Take a screenshot or keep a printout so you can produce it when asked at competitions.

The Coaching Minimum Standards

From this season, the Coaching Minimum Standards set out the minimum qualification every coach in Ireland must hold, and they will apply in every season from now on. For 2026/27, every coach needs at least the Introduction to Coaching qualification along with a valid Coach Licence. The required level rises in the coming seasons for head coaches at the higher levels of the game, so it is worth checking where you stand and booking your next course early.

Read the full Coaching Minimum Standards

Keeping your licence

Renew every season. Licences run for one season and expire on 31 July each year.
Keep your CPD up to date. Complete your required Continued Professional Development (CPD) before your licence expires. You can track your CPD on your dashboard in Helpside.
Watch your three-year dates. Garda Vetting and Safeguarding 1 are both valid for three years. If either runs out, renew it before your next licence application.

Questions?

If you are unsure about your certificate, your qualification level or any part of the licence process, email Niall McDermott, National Learning and Training Manager, at nmcdermott@ireland.basketball. For help with registration itself, see the BI Registration Guide.