FIP Academy’s coaching pathway starts online — with higher levels still to come

FIP Academy has opened an online starting point for its coaching pathway, but its course catalog still draws a clear line between the introductory qualification available now and the higher levels planned for competitive coaching.

The Foundation Course, designated Level 0, leads to Coaching Assistant certification after successful completion. For prospective students, the credential's name matters: finishing the introductory course is the beginning of the federation's sequence, rather than completion of the full professional pathway.

What is available now

The current coaching catalog lists approximately 15 hours of online work for Level 0, with official teaching materials and a final test. English and Spanish are available, and no in-person attendance is required. The displayed fee heading is €350 plus tax; students should use the enrollment total for the applicable final charge.

The site marks registration open for Foundation and labels Levels 1–4 as coming soon. It describes Level 1 as a 100-hour blended course, including a practical assessment in person, and Level 2 as a 200-hour course delivered mostly in person. Those descriptions set out the planned progression; they do not mean every level currently has an available class.

From assistant to international competition

In its May 1 launch announcement, FIP described Foundation as preparation for four subsequent levels. Level 1 is intended for FIP Beyond coaching, Level 2 for CUPRA FIP Tour and FIP Promises competition, and Level 3 for major international events including Premier Padel.

The final Master level is aimed at national-team and high-performance work. Possible involvement in the academy's teaching staff is subject to individual evaluation and approval. The announcement also set out a separate officiating program and FIP Lab, a space for further educational material.

The sequence makes the qualification's scope more specific than a general claim that someone is “FIP trained.” An assistant certificate and a higher-level competition credential represent different stages, assessments and intended responsibilities.

Previous qualifications do not currently bypass the sequence

The academy's frequently asked questions say that courses must be completed in order. They also state that equivalences with other training programs are not currently available: FIP intends to assess them once the full pathway is developed and accessible.

That leaves an experienced coach with an external qualification in a different position from someone already holding the preceding FIP Academy levels. Prior education may be valuable, but the current published policy does not convert it into automatic entry at a higher stage.