Founded in 1974, the ATFCA grew and was successful in outlining plans and activities to educate coaches to promote the sport of track and field. Funded initially by the Rothmans National Sport Foundation, this lasted for twenty years, until the Foundation closed its doors. State Branches were set up and by early 1975 all but the Northern Territory had functioning bodies. NT joined the other states in 1982. From early numbers of 205 affiliated coaches, the membership stabilised in the early 2000`s to a yearly figure of between 2,200 and 2,500. The current figure of membership is much lower due to the national body conducting coaching courses also. The first AGM was held at the Australian Championships in Adelaide in 1975 and this tradition is still operational today with an AGM held at this time every year. It is attended by coaches interested in the welfare, operations, and development of the Association along with two voting delegates from each branch. The Association is governed by a Board of 4 Directors comprising a President, Director of Administration, Director of Finance, Strategic Director and the Executive Director. Three to four board meeting are held each year. The Association is an incorporated body and as such, is self funded. The early accreditation system set up in 1975 was comprised of three levels and was used as a prototype by the Australian Coaching Council when it introduced the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme in 1980. In late 2018 the ATFCA accreditation framework was reinvigorated after an intensive review by the National body and branches recognising that the current system needed to acknowledge current trends and standards in education and the sport. Of note is that we have moved away from the numbering system of accreditation to one of a descriptive nature that appropriately describes the skill and knowledge acquired for each level of accreditation. The main objectives of the Australian Track & Field Coaches Association are: To promote coaching in Australia so as to improve the quality of performance and the level of participation in track and field athletics To encourage the accreditation, training and testing of persons to become qualified coaches and to arrange for the proper regulation of such activities To develop the coaching of track and field athletics within clubs, schools, universities, college of education and any other institutions To safeguard the professional integrity and image of ATFCA and its members To represent the interests of coaching and coaches in the decision making processes affecting the ATFCA