From volunteer to qualified coach: How James is raising the game through flexible learning
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Sport is woven into everyday life across Donegal and behind every successful team is a dedicated coach giving their time to support the next generation.
For Ballyshannon native James White, that commitment led him to further develop his coaching skills through the part-time Certificate in Sport Coaching at ATU.
A horticulturist by trade and now a Club Assistant with South Donegal Schoolboys, James coaches U12, U14 and U16 teams with Erne Wanderers FC.
Like many involved in grassroots sport, he began as a volunteer before recognising the need to bring greater structure and professionalism to his coaching.
“I’m a lifelong football fan,” James explains. “But it was really through my son playing that I got involved in coaching. I wanted to fulfil my coaching duties to the highest standard. There’s a big difference between having an interest in sport and knowing how to coach effectively.”
That realisation is one many volunteers share in underage sport.
Effective coaching requires structure, knowledge, and the ability to communicate with players of all ages. For James, this sparked motivation to learn more and improve.
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“I started looking things up online, watching videos, reading what I could,” he says. “But I knew I needed something more formal. I wanted to understand how to actually teach what I knew, especially to younger players.”
That motivation led him to ATU’s part-time blended Certificate in Sport Coaching — designed for people balancing busy lives. Combining online learning with in-person sessions at ATU’s Letterkenny campus, it offers flexibility with in-person sessions for a blended learning format.
Since starting the course, the impact has been immediate.
“I just can’t speak highly enough of it,” James says. “Everyone on the course feels the same. There’s so much involved — especially around pedagogy, how to teach and communicate effectively. It really opens your eyes.”
One of the biggest takeaways for James has been understanding that good coaching starts with continuous learning.
“The course makes you realise you need to keep developing your own knowledge before you can pass it on to players. It’s not just about drills — it’s about understanding how people learn and how to bring out the best in them.”
For anyone involved in coaching, whether you’re helping out at your local club, supporting your child’s team, or looking to take your passion further, why not formalise your experience with a Level 7 qualification at ATU.
“I’d recommend it to anyone,” he says. “If you care about sport and want to do right by the players you’re coaching, this course gives you the tools to do that.”
The Certificate in Sport Coaching at ATU is a 1-year, part-time level 7 programme which is now open for application for a September 2026 start. Following the successful launch of the programme last year, the first cohort of students has recently completed their studies. For further information, please visit: Certificate in Sport Coaching.
ATU also offers many learning pathways for those interested in a Sporting qualification with a Level 8 Bachelor of Science in Applied Strength and Conditioning and a Level 9 Master of Science in Sports Performance Practice.
