To be eligible to coach at Hervey Bay Pickleball Club (HBPC), the members voted, by an overwhelming majority, at a General Meeting, that coaches must apply for and enter a ‘Coaching Agreement’ with HBPC. This is to satisfy the Management Committee that they have the correct qualifications, as set out in the ‘Coach’s Agreement’, and that they have current P/L Insurance and first aid/CPR qualifications. These coaches are running an independent business and only hire the court/s from HBPC for the purpose of coaching. Their coaching is in no way affiliated with HBPC.
Any person/s who choose to be coached/mentored by someone who does not have a ‘Coaches Agreement’ in place with the club, do so at their own risk, and they will assume all financial and legal risk. The HBPC insurance will not cover any injury incurred while being coached/mentored by any person in a non-sanctioned HBPC situation at the HBPC courts, unless they have a current ‘Coaches Agreement’ in place with HBPC.
*Please see email below from Pickleball Australia for confirmation of the above paragraph.
Accredited Coaches:
Craig Taylor, Core Pickleball
P: 0427 940 857
Coaches Agreement
To apply for a ‘Coaches Agreement’ click the link below, complete the form, and email to pickleballherveybay@gmail.com
PAA Operations, Coaching Mon 24 Nov 2025, 13:49
Dear Rob,
Thank you for your detailed email regarding the coaching arrangements and insurance coverage questions at Hervey Bay Pickleball Club.
I have thoroughly reviewed the PA insurance policies in relation to your inquiry about members hiring courts for private coaching/mentoring sessions with non-certified coaches.
Insurance Coverage Assessment:
I can confirm that members would NOT be covered under the PA insurance policies if they engage in coaching sessions outside of club-sanctioned activities. Here’s why:
The PA insurance policies (both Personal Accident and Public/Products Liability) explicitly state that coverage applies only to activities that are “sanctioned/recognised by Pickleball Australia and State/Territory Associations.” This includes organized club competitions, official coaching clinics, training sessions, and other approved activities.
Key Points:
- Sanctioned Activities Requirement: Coverage is contingent upon activities being sanctioned/recognized by the club and PA. Private court hire arrangements with uncertified coaches do not meet this criterion.
- Coach’s Agreement Compliance: Since your members unanimously voted to accept the Coach’s Agreement requiring PA (or equivalent) accreditation, activities conducted outside this framework are not considered sanctioned club activities.
- Personal Liability Exposure: Members who choose to proceed with unofficial coaching arrangements would be:
- Operating outside the scope of PA insurance coverage
- Personally responsible for any medical expenses resulting from injury
- Potentially liable for legal costs in the event of a serious incident
- Unable to make claims under the PA insurance for injuries sustained during these sessions
Your Committee’s Position:
The legal advice you’ve received aligns with the insurance policy terms. By enforcing the Coach’s Agreement, you are:
- Protecting members from uninsured risk
- Fulfilling your duty of care obligations
- Ensuring compliance with your Council lease requirements
- Protecting committee members from potential negligence claims
Recommendation:
PA recommend that you:
- Clearly communicate to members that private coaching arrangements with non-certified coaches are not covered by PA insurance
- Post this information prominently in communications or club website
- Advise members that they assume all financial and legal risk if they proceed outside club policy
- Continue to enforce the Coach’s Agreement as voted upon by members
Your members have the right to make informed decisions, but they must understand they are doing so at their own risk and without insurance protection.
If you need any clarification or require this information in a different format for member communication, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Grace Schmidt | Coaching and Education Manager
E: grace.schmidt@pickleballaus.org
**Please understand, that as a committee we have Legal and Duty of Care obligations to protect members and the club from litigation in the event of an activity not sanctioned by HBPC. As a club President this is an issue I take very seriously, as I don’t want to see members involved in legal issues due to ill-informed information. Some members will still proceed to do what they want and may even give mis-guided information on legal issues, and we cannot stop that happening. All we can do is give you, the members, the correct legal information so that you are aware of the risk you may be taking and advise all members that they assume all financial and legal risk if they proceed outside of club policy.
DEFINITION OF A SPORTS COACH.
NOTE: A club member running a session and helping new players is not considered as a coach, providing that the advice/help is contained withing that particular session only.
This is the ‘Definition of a Coach’ policy adopted by the Hervey Bay Pickleball Club to protect our members in the event of an injury or any litigation that may arise from acting outside of club policy and Pickleball Australia Insurance guidelines.
A sports coach is a person who trains and instructs athletes to improve their skills, physical condition, and performance. This includes teaching proper techniques, developing game strategies, providing motivation, and offering guidance on aspects like nutrition and injury prevention. Coaches work with individuals or teams at various levels, from amateur to professional, to help them achieve their full potential.
Key responsibilities of a sports coach
- Training and skill development:
Analysing performance, creating training sessions, and teaching specific techniques to improve overall ability.
- Strategy and game planning:
Developing game plans, directing team strategies, and analysing game progress.
- Motivation and support:
Motivating athletes, instilling confidence, and providing guidance on personal development and life skills like teamwork and discipline.
- Team management:
Recruiting players and staff, arranging competition entries, and overseeing practice sessions.
- Education:
Providing advice on factors like nutrition, injury prevention, and recovery schedules.
The role of a coach
- A coach works to help athletes or teams reach their potential, whether they are beginners or professionals.
- They use a variety of skills to assess strengths and weaknesses and provide the necessary training to improve results.
- The role can be part-time or full-time, depending on the level of competition.
- Beyond technical and physical aspects, a coach also acts as a mentor, offering guidance on personal challenges and life skills.