Below details the NIVA Coach Accreditation Scheme which was introduced in 2010.

To sit on the bench a Head coach must be accredited to NIVA and hold a minimum of a NIVA Level 2 Coaching Award.

To sit on the bench an assistant coach must be accredited to NIVA and hold a minimum of a NIVA Level 1 Coaching Award.

As part of the accreditation scheme each coach will have to have undergone an access NI enhanced check in the past 3 years. Once the coach has been registered for 6 months they must also have undertaken Child Protection Awareness Training or their coaching license will be void.
The process is detailed below.

The coach completes the following steps:

1. Access NI
   If the coach already has an Enhanced Access NI certificate issued in the previous 12 months, the coach presents their original certificate to the NIVA designated signatory (Nick Wright).
   
   If the coach needs to be Access NI checked
   The coach completes parts B, C, D, E, F and G on the Access NI application form (CP-15 form Aug 2011) and forwards the necessary payment if the coach receives payment for their services. Please complete this form on a computer then print it out and sign and return to NIVA for us to complete Parts A, H, I and J.
   
   
2. Fill out and return the volunteer application form (CP-02)
   
   
3. Fill out the DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS FOR THOSE WORKING IN NORTHERN IRELAND Form (CP-03)
   
   
4. Confirming identification – The coach either presents themselves to the NIVA designated signatory with original identity documents as detailed on page 2 of the ID Validation Form or asks the club chairperson to complete the form (CP-06) after seeing the original identity documents and forwards the CP-06 form with a copy of the ID to the NIVA office.
   
   
5. The coach fills out and returns the coach accreditation application form with payment to the NIVA office
   
   
6. The coach fills out and returns a risk assesment form for each location they are going to be coaching in.

Once this process has been completed the coach will receive notification from NIVA whether they have been successful and that they are now covered under the NIVA insurance policy.