Coach Licences

Sport-specific coaching certifications provide valuable insight into the minds and bodies of athletes and are key in helping coaches achieve success. With a more comprehensive understanding of their athletes, coaches can create tailored plans to help each athlete reach their full potential.

The Malta Equestrian Federation has developed a Coaching Licencing system that will allow our members to select coaches based on their skills and qualifications.

MEF Coaching Licences 

Licencing of coaches will take place in tiered manner, with four levels of licences issued.

Entry Level – Associate Coach

Level 1 – Independent Coach

Level 2 – Professional Coach

Level 3 – Master Coach

The four levels will require different levels of training and allow coaches to teach riders up to different levels as shown in the matrix below:

Requirements for holding a Coaching Licence

·      Valid first aid certificate – course must be re-taken every 3 years

·      Clean police conduct

·      Safeguarding Certificate

·      Coaching Qualifications – MEF Foundation to Coaching, FEI Coaching Courses, Levels 1-3 and IGEQ-approved certificates issued by other national federations.

·      At least five hours of CPD (Coach’s Personal Development) every year

Coaching licences will be issued by MEF annually so that the Federation can ensure that the Coaches Directory remains up to date. Licences will be issued against a payment of €50. The first two years from launch date to be free of charge, with payment becoming obligatory from September 2026..

Licences entitle coaches to be placed on the MEF directory of coaches and advertised by the MEF. While the MEF cannot prevent people from operating without a licence, we will only recommend licenced coaches. The MEF will periodically campaign to riders to only use licenced coaches and for riders to check whether their coaches are licenced and qualified.

MEF Coaches must do their utmost to continue their training, taking advantage of any opportunities to improve their skills as a rider or coach. Coaches must do a minimum of five hours CPD (coaching personal development) per year. These can be taken in the form of clinic attendance or other training courses hosted by the MEF.

Coaches must present proof of clean police conduct and be on the POMA registry (Protection of Minors Application). The police conduct should be submitted to the MEF immediately. The MEF will collect information for the POMA Registry application and send on the coach’s behalf in due course.

Coaches are affiliated with the MEF and must comply with code of conduct at all times. Any coach who fails to comply will have their licence revoked.

Only MEF-licenced coaches will also be eligible for training which will allow them to teach the Galops Diplomas – a licenced program developed by the Fédération Française d'Equitation (FFE) and aimed at providing a harmonised system for the development of young riders in both riding and stable management. These diplomas will eventually be used as a licence to compete.

All applying coaches agree to submit personal information as is required by government entities overseeing sports in Malta.

First Aid Courses

The MEF organises First Aid Courses periodically, when there are enough people who are interested in taking the course. To register your interest, send an email to maltaequestrianfederation@gmail.com. Coaches may use any first aid certificates issued by an accredited organisation.

Safeguarding Courses

A Safeguarding Certificate is required of coaches by law. The Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport (AIMS) legislation ensures all coaches are aware of common safeguarding practices to ensure the health and safety of minors under our care. The Authority has approved a 90-minute online course which must be taken by all MEF Coaches. The course is produced by FIFA, so is based on football organisations, however all principles are easily transferrable to any sport.

Police Conduct

A clean police conduct is required to ensure the safety and welfare of young athletes being entrusted to registered Malta Equestrian Federation Coaches. You can apply for a police conduct online and this will be delivered to your home address.

Applying for a licence

Once the MEF receives your application, we will get in touch and place you on the register.