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Special Olympics BC recognizes that the well-being of
athletes and the success of sports programs depend
greatly on the quality of coaches. For this reason, SOBC encourages
coaches to take advantage of the wide range of coach education
opportunities offered.
NATIONAL COACH CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (NCCP)
The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is a coach
training and certification program for 65 different sports across
Canada. Thousands of Special Olympic coaches have benefited from
this educational program both by participating in technical and
theory courses and by working with coaches from within Special
Olympics as well as coaches in generic sport.
Since the late 1990s, the program has been re-developed and has
shifted in emphasis from "what a coach knows" to "what a coach can
do." In the new competency-based system, training and certification
programs are based on the clearly defined needs of participants and
addresses the full range of sports at various levels of skill and
in a variety of settings.
THE NEW NCCP MODEL
The new NCCP model is made up of three streams
(instruction, community, and competition) and a total of eight
contexts, each with its own coaching requirements. Each sport is
responsible for identifying how many of the eight contexts are
relevant to their sport. Special Olympics BC has identified the
Competition Sport Workshop as part of their Coach
Education Program. This workshop provides the Special Olympics
coach with what they need to know and do in order to coach a
Special Olympic athlete.
The new NCCP model distinguishes between training and
certification. Coaches can participate in training opportunities to
acquire and/or refine the skills and knowledge required for a
particular coaching context as defined by their sport. To be
certified in a coaching context, coaches are evaluated on their
demonstrated ability to perform within that context in areas such
as program design, practice planning, performance analysis, program
management, ethical coaching, support during training, and support
in competition.
Certified coaches enjoy the respect from the
sporting community and of the athletes they coach beause they have
been observed and evaluated "doing" what is required of them as a
competent coach in their sport. They are recognized as meeting or
exceeding the high standards embraced by more than 60 national
sport organizations in Canada. Fostering confidence at all levels
of sport, certification is a benefit shared by parents, athletes,
sport organizations, and our communities.
To check your certification status, please visit the Coaching Association of
Canada website.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS COMPETITION SPORT COACH
The goals of the Competition - Introduction
context are preparation for local, regional, or
provincial competitions with the primary focus on safety, fun,
fitness, fundamentals, and performance as well as teaching the
basic skills of the sport. Following completion of all training, a
coach can choose to become certified in the Competition -
Introduction context through an evaluation process managed and
coordinated by the National Sport Organizations (NSO). Special
Olympics Canada is working with each of the 14 official Special
Olympic sports to ensure that the evaluation is relevant
to the SO athlete needs and the SO coach. This is underway and has
not yet been completed.
Special Olympics BC requires that all coaches
complete the Competition Sport Workshop within the first
year of coaching. This ensures that coaches are prepared for their
tasks and that all athletes are provided with similar learning
opportunities. In addition to this, Special Olympics
BC strongly recommends that coaches obtain their
technical training through the National Coach Certification Program
in the sport they are coaching.
How to become a certified coach with Special Olympics
BC:
THE OLD MODEL
Under the old model, the NCCP covered three components of coaching:
Theory, Technical, and Practical. After completing all three
components of a level, coaches received a "passport" that
officially recognized their accomplishments as a certified coach at
that level. Coaches with Special Olympics Level 1 certification
must take the Making Ethical Decisions module in order to keep
their certification. This module is offered at the SOBC Provincial
Workshop and through community colleges and recreation centers.
It is composed of a class portion and an online
evaluation.
THE NEW MODEL
Under the new model, coaches must complete two
courses: Competition Sport Workshop and Introduction to
Competition Part A.
-
Competition Sport Workshop prepares coaches
for local, regional or provincial competitions with the primary
focus on safety, fun, fitness, fundamentals, and performance as
well as teaching the basics of the sport.
-
Introduction to Competition Part A teaches the
principles of coaching such as planning, sport safety, skill
analysis, ethics, growth, and development. These courses are
offered through community colleges and recreation centers.
COACHING REQUIREMENTS FOR GAMES
Regional Qualifiers and Provincial Games:
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Special Olympics Level 1 certified (theory, technical,
practical) plus Making Ethical Decisions Evaluated; OR
-
Special Olympics trained (Competition Sport Workshop and
Introduction to Competition Part A) plus Making Ethical Decisions
Evaluated
National Games:
Coach Qualifications (pdf)
INTRODUCTION TO COMPETITION PART A AND B
There are two introductory coaching courses that are
offered for all coaches by the Coaching
Association of Canada: Introduction to Competition Part A and B
(these courses replaced the old Theory Level 1 and 2,
respectively). The Part A course provides coaches with tips on
making ethical decisions, planning a practice and nutrition while
Part B introduces basic mental skills, techniques for teaching and
learning, and tips on developing a basic sport program. For more
information, click
here.
MAKING ETHICAL DECISIONS MODULE
The Making Ethical Decisions module (MED Module) is one of
the modules in the NCCP Introduction to Competition Part
offered by the Coaching Association. The MED module must
be completed by all coaches in order for coaches
to keep their certification; this is a requirement of
the Coaching Association of Canada and Sport Canada. For more
information, click
here.
OTHER COACH EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Special Olympics BC coaches are provided with a
variety of training opportunities such as coach development
seminars, technical courses, clinics and workshops.
SOBC Provincial Office also acts as a resource center
for coaches who wish to increase their knowledge in sports-related
areas. Program staff have information on CPR, sport injury and NCCP
sport specific courses occuring in BC communities. For more
information, please contact Denise
Yuen, Manager, Volunteer Development at (604)
737-3125 or toll free at 1-888-854-2276.
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