Courses & Training.
Develop Your Skills in Obstacle Sport
The Obstacle Course Racing Association of Ireland (OCRA ÉIREANN) provides and supports education opportunities for people involved in the development and delivery of obstacle sport.
Our education programme is intended to support coaches, Technical Officials, clubs, volunteers and others who contribute to the sport.
As OCR develops in Ireland, OCRA will continue expanding the range of training and development opportunities available.
Current Education Pathways
OCRA's principal education pathways include:
COACHING
Structured development for people coaching obstacle sport from introductory participation through to national and international performance environments.
TECHNICAL OFFICIALS
Education and practical development for people responsible for applying competition rules and supporting the fair delivery of obstacle sport events.
Coaching Courses
OCRA coaching education follows a progressive pathway.
Courses and development opportunities may include:
- OCR Coach — Foundations
- OCR Coach — Participation
- OCR Coach — Performance
- OCR Coach — National
- OCR Coach — International
- OCR Coach — Senior International
- OCR Coach — Master Coach Trainer
- Specialist and continuing development opportunities
Not every level will necessarily be delivered during every training period.
Available courses will be published as dates are confirmed.
Technical Official Training
Technical Official education will provide opportunities for people to learn the rules and practical skills required to officiate obstacle sport competitions.
Training may include:
- Introductory TO education
- Competition rules
- Obstacle judging
- Penalties and classifications
- Practical officiating
- Event operations
- Senior Technical Official development
- Refresher and rules update sessions
Practical event experience may form part of the development pathway.
Supporting Education
Some roles within obstacle sport also require knowledge outside discipline-specific coaching or officiating.
OCRA may therefore provide, facilitate or direct participants towards relevant education in areas including:
- Safeguarding
- First aid
- Disability awareness
- Inclusion
- Anti-doping
- Health and safety
- Athlete welfare
- Club development
- Event operations
Requirements will depend on the role and level of responsibility.
How Courses Are Delivered
Education may be delivered using a combination of:
- In-person workshops
- Online learning
- Practical sessions
- Mentored experience
- Assessment
- Event-based practical development
Using a blended approach allows theoretical education to be combined with the practical experience required within obstacle sport.
Upcoming Courses
Current courses will be listed here as dates are confirmed, including the pathway, level, date, location or online delivery, entry requirements, fees where applicable, and how to register.
Recognition of Prior Learning
People entering OCRA education may already hold relevant qualifications or substantial experience from obstacle sport or another discipline.
Where appropriate, OCRA may consider previous education and practical experience through Recognition of Prior Learning.
Recognition does not automatically remove all requirements.
Participants must still demonstrate the knowledge and standards required for the OCRA role or qualification they are seeking.
Continuing Development
Education does not end after completing a qualification.
OCRA will support continuing development through opportunities such as:
- Refresher courses
- Rules updates
- Workshops
- Specialist modules
- Mentoring
- Practical experience
- Advanced education
This helps coaches and Technical Officials remain current as the sport develops.
Interested in a Course?
If you are interested in coaching, Technical Officiating or another OCRA education opportunity and there is currently no suitable course listed, you can register your interest.
This will help OCRA understand demand and plan future education programmes.