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Coaching Pathway2026-02-04T11:00:39+00:00

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Coaching

Coaches are a vital part of the sport, and the HPA is proud to offer a nationally-recognised coaching qualification to ensure we can find the best coaches to develop the polo players of the future. Whether you’re an established coach or just starting out, you’ll find all the information here.

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Coaching Pathway

The new HPA coaching qualification is delivered in partnership with 1st4Sport and Sport Structures. This is the first nationally-recognised coaching qualification available in polo, and the aim is that this will lead to improved-quality coaching in the UK. The qualification takes approximately six months to complete, and we usually run courses starting in spring and autumn. Sign up now to get started!

HPA-accredited coaches have the ability to coach independently both in the UK and abroad at HPA affiliated clubs in other countries.

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The Coaching Pathway programme is delivered online and consists of various mandatory sections:

  • Independent e-learning
  • Interactive online sessions
  • An in-person assessment day

Candidates must attend all elements to complete their qualification.

Existing coaches

Existing coaches will remain qualified under the new structure, but they can choose to qualify through the new pathway if they wish.

If you hold a current Level 2 Coaching qualification, it’s not compulsory to re-qualify through the new pathway. You are able to do so if you wish, in order to align your training with the pathway and ensure you are as up-to-date as possible.

If you are an existing Level 2 coach, you may be able to upgrade through the new pathway. This will be on a case-by-case basis – please contact the office for more information.

The new qualification is a more in-depth process to give coaches a better understanding of coaching, and will help us to provide a consistent standard of coaching across the network. By bringing our qualification in line with the national framework, polo will align with other sports and equine disciplines making it easier to coach in other sports. More online training makes for an easily accessible qualification for potential coaches with more flexibility.

New coaches

New coaches joining the HPA now need to qualify through the new pathway, unless they are 3 goals or higher.

If you are a player of 3 goals or above, you can sign up via the previous system, which involves assessment, but you are then required to complete the Level 2 Coaching Certificate within one year.

Please contact the office for more information.

The new qualification costs £840, which includes all training and assessment fees, and can be paid in full or split into instalments.

To qualify as an HPA coach you must:

  • Be 18 or over
  • Be a member of the HPA
  • Currently hold or have previously held an HPA handicap of 0 goals or higher
  • Hold a Level 3 First Aid at Work certification
  • Complete a recognised Safeguarding qualification
  • Pass an Enhanced DBS check
  • Hold appropriate insurance

You will also have to carry out at least 4 hours of CPD per year to remain on the HPA coaching register.

The new pathway will be delivered through a mixture of

  • E-learning
  • Virtual classrooms
  • Face-to-face training
  • Mentoring

Accredited coaches and coach candidates will receive access to video content and analysis tools.

How to sign up

To start your coaching journey, please contact us by email using the button below.

Contact Us

FAQs

There are various organisations that run the Level 3 First Aid at Work qualification. You can complete this through them, or we can help to arrange the course for you.

The NSPCC runs an online Safeguarding course which is an accepted course for the coaching qualification. If you would like to use a different course to complete your qualification, please contact us to check the course can be accepted. More information is provided in the Safeguarding section above.

The new qualification costs £840, which includes all training and assessment fees, and can be paid in full or split into instalments.

Coaches must pay an annual licence fee of £155 to maintain their qualification, and this must be renewed on or before 1 April each year. Under the new pathway, the HPA will cover the cost of the licence fee from the time you qualify until the following April 1st renewal date; for example, if you qualify in July 2023, your first annual payment would be due on or before 1 April 2024.

Key Dates & CPD

Dates for organised Safeguarding training, CPD courses, and any other key coaching events will be found here.

The 2026 HPA Coaching Conference will be held at Hartpury University on Monday 13 April 2026. You can now book your free ticket here.

The day is aimed at HPA coaches, either licensed or on the coaching pathway, but is open to anyone with an interest in polo and coaching.

The event will include presentations, focus groups, and a live coaching session with industry experts. A full itinerary will be available closer to the event.

Limited number of tickets available. If the event is oversold, priority will be given to HPA coaches. You must have a valid HPA membership to attend; tickets will be cancelled for anyone booking without an HPA membership.

The HPA Level 2 Bridging Course is designed for learners who need to transition from the previous Level 1 or Level 2 qualifications to the updated HPA Level 2 Certificate in Coaching.

This course is mandatory if you either completed the Level 1 Certificate in Coaching before 1 January 2024 and are now progressing to Level 2, or if you are current Level 2 (who gained their qualification before 1 January 2024) and are aiming to move up to Level 3.

This course is also advised for those who completed Level 2 Certificate in Coaching before 1 January 2024, to refresh and align their knowledge with the revised standards.

Safeguarding

The HPA recognises that everyone in polo, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity, has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of children and preventing their abuse. The HPA strives to ensure that when it is given responsibility for children, it provides them with the highest possible standard of care.

HPA coaches must recognise that they have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the interests and well-being of children with whom they are working. They must take all reasonable practical steps to protect them from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment, and respect their rights, wishes and feelings.

Coaches must complete a CPD-certified safeguarding course in order to receive an HPA coaching licence. The NSPCC offer a suitable course which can be completed either online or face-to-face, and is supported by Sport England, Sport Northern Ireland and Sport Wales,

If you are likely to coach children in the Pony Club, then their requirements are that the first safeguarding workshop must be face-to-face.

Other safeguarding courses may be accepted by the HPA; please check before you complete an alternative course.

Child Protection In Sport Unit (CPSU)
The CPSU works to help improve safeguarding and child protection practices within sport organisations, to ensure all children and young people are safe while participating in sport and physical activity at all levels.
Tel: 0116 234 7278
Website: www.thecpsu.org.uk

NSPCC
A 24-hour free and confidential telephone helpline that provides counselling, information, and advice to anyone concerned about a child at risk of ill treatment or abuse.
Tel: 0808 800 5000
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Childline
24-hour free and confidential helpline for children
Tel: 0800 1111
Website: www.childline.org.uk

Victim Support
Provide emotional support, information and practical help for victims and witnesses
Tel: 0845 3030 900

Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk

All HPA coaches must have a current Enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and must upload the certificate to their Sport80 profile. This check will list any unspent cautions and convictions, most spent ones, and will perform a search of the Children’s Barred List. The check also includes a section where Police can add any additional information they think is relevant about that person.

You cannot arrange for your own Enhanced DBS check; this must be done by a third-party such as a school, college, or other institution. The HPA can request an Enhanced DBS check on your behalf through First Advantage Online Disclosures, for a one-off cost of approx £65 (subject to change).

If you already have a standard DBS check you will need to re-apply for an Enhanced DBS check.

Once an Enhanced DBS check has been completed, you can register for the DBS update service, which will keep the certificate up to date online. The cost is £13 per year and more information is available on the GOV.UK website.

Safeguarding Hub

Overseas Coaches

All Overseas Instructors must hold a minimum of a non-playing membership to the HPA. All members receive a member’s pack, car sticker, blue book, welfare booklet, rule book and will receive HPA communications.

Coaches will be listed on the HPA website as an Overseas Coach; this does not grant a licence to coach in the United Kingdom.

Overseas coaches require an annual licence at a cost of £155, and must attend at least 2 hours’ CPD per year to maintain their coaching status with the HPA. Coaches must be assessed by an HPA Approved Assessor – contact the HPA for names and details.

Coaches must hold the necessary coaching criteria for the country they are coaching in, for example, first aid, safeguarding, DBS checks, insurance etc.

Overseas coaches who later want to coach in the UK will need to enrol onto the Level 2 Coaching Certificate in Polo. They need to hold (or have held) a minimum handicap of 2, and must have a good command of the English language. Coaches will have 2 years to complete the coaching pathway following enrolment, and may coach during the time they are enrolled on the pathway, provided the appropriate insurance is in place.

Insurance

It is mandatory for all HPA licensed coaches to hold the relevant insurance cover. Please check the wording and criteria of your policy carefully to ensure you are covered to coach unsupervised. Insurance cover is not included in your annual licence fee, and is no longer available directly from the HPA; you must organise your own cover. There are details of some insurers who can provide coaching cover below. Proof of your insurance must be uploaded into your Sport80 account, and kept up-to-date in order for your qualification to remain current.

Coaches completing their training, or those who have qualified but not yet purchased an annual licence, must also arrange insurance cover independently.

KBIS

KBIS British Equestrian Insurance
Cullimore House,
Peasemore,
Newbury, Berkshire,
RG20 7JN
Telephone: 01635 247474
Fax: 01635 247474
E-mail: liability@kbis.co.uk

Lycetts

Piers Plunket – Lycett
Browne-Swinburne & Douglass Ltd.

Marlborough Office: 01672-512512
E-mail: piers.plunket@lycetts.co.uk
website: www.lycetts.co.uk

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