National Coaching Certification Program

Launched in 1970, the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is a partnership between the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), and more than 60 national sport organizations. The NCCP is Canada’s recognized coach training and certification program and serves a wide range of coaches – from those who introduce beginners to sport to those working with podium pathway athletes.

Skate Canada’s NCCP model is in direct alignment with the Long-Term Development (LTD) tool which allows coach training and certification to be specific to the development of an athlete as they progress through the sport.

Aspiring coaches begin coach training and certification at the CanSkate Coach context and work their way through to National Coach. Each Context contains three steps to certification:

• In-training 
  • Sport specific course delivered by the Section
• Trained
  • Multi-sport modules delivered by the Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives
• Certified
  • Completion of an evaluation portfolio, enroll through eLearning

Coaches start on the left hand side of the model below, and can work their way through various levels (moving through the right of the model) depending on their coaching goals. Coaches who wish to coach learn to skate students would aim to be CanSkate Certified, while coaches looking to teach STAR Program Skaters will be Regional Certified. Competitive coaches at the provincial and national level shall be trained at the Provincial or National Coach level.