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The
New Structure
What is the Structure?
A Competency-Based Approach
Following an extensive evaluation of the effectiveness of
the NCCP, the NCCC approved the transition from the existing
knowledge and the course-based program with five consecutive
levels of certification to a competency-based education and
training approach, in which coaches are trained and
may achieve certification of competency to coach in a specific
coaching environment. The transition to this new approach
is ongoing, as each sport participating in the NCCP revises
its coach training and certification.
The New Structure of the NCCP
1) National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP)
Launched in 1970, the NCCP is a partnership between the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and more than 60 national sport federations and their provincial and territorial sport associations. As Canada’s recognized training and certification program, the NCCP serves a wide range of coaches — from those who introduce beginners to sport to those working with high performance athletes.
In response to an extensive evaluation, the program has been going through a major re-development since the late 1990s. Key to these changes is a shift 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. This new structure addresses the full range of sports in Canada at various levels of skill and in a variety of settings.
2) The New NCCP Model
The new NCCP model is made up of three streams 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. The table below shows which contexts have been identified by Squash Canada.
Stream 1 – Competition
Coaches in the Competition stream usually have previous coaching experience or are former athletes in the sport. They tend to work with athletes over the long term to improve performance, often in preparation for provincial, national, and international competitions.
Stream 2 – Instruction
Coaches in the Instruction stream must have sport-specific skills and training, whether coaching at the beginner or advanced skill levels. Many are former participants in the sport.
3) Training and Certification
A coach is described as:
- In Training – when a coach has completed some of the required training for a context;
- Trained – when a coach has completed all required training for a context;
- Certified – when a coach has completed all evaluation requirements for a context.
The new NCCP model distinguishes between training and certification. Coaches can participate in training opportunities to acquire or refine the skills and knowledge required for a particular coaching context as defined by the 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 to participants during training, and support to participants in competition.
Certified coaches enjoy the credibility of the sporting community and of the athletes they coach because 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 at www.coach.ca.
4) Introduction to Competition context [Competition – Introduction context]:
In April of 2004, the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and its partners launched Competition – Introduction and the first series of multi-sport coach training modules of the new competency-based NCCP model. Some sports are integrating these multi-sport modules into their sport-specific training. Squash Canada has chosen not to integrate these modules.
The goals of the Competition – Introduction context are fun, fitness, fundamentals, and performance at regional or provincial competitions as well as the consolidation of basic skills of the sport.
A series of six core modules has been packaged into two parts. Part A consists of 1. Make Ethical Decisions, 2. Planning a Practice and, 3. Nutrition. Part B consists of 4. Design a Basic Sport Program, 5. Teaching and Learning and, 6. Basic Mental skills. Competition – Introduction Part A and Part B is comprised of one weekend of training for each part and is offered through the Provincial or Territorial Coaching Coordinators (P/TCCs). For sport-specific workshops, check with your Provincial/Territorial Association.
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 his or her National Sport Organizations (NSO). For details on becoming trained or certified in Introduction to Competition [Competition – Introduction context], please contact your Provincial/Territorial Association.
5) Introduction to Squash context [Instruction – Beginners context]:
Participants of all ages, with little or no sport experience, are taught basic sport skills. The purpose of the Instruction – Beginners context is to create an understanding of the basic techniques and skills of the sport. Training will help the volunteer understand and teach the basic skills of the sport to participants. Instruction – Beginners workshops are typically held over a weekend. To register for an Introduction to Squash [Instruction – Beginners context] workshop, please contact your Provincial/Territorial Association.
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