A coach has many roles to play and many tasks to perform. Most importantly coaches have the overall responsibility to instill in athletes the lifetime values of sportsmanship and fair play.
Becoming a coach doesn't mean that you are a racing cyclist who is now "retiring". Coaches come from all walks of life: active racers, parents, teachers, recreational leaders and cycling enthusiasts.
Coaches in Ontario are certified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and licensed through the Ontario and Canadian Cycling Associations. The NCCP is a five level educational program for coaches in over 60 sports. Levels 1 - 3 are designed to train coaches who will be leaders of school, community and club programs. Levels 4 - 5 prepare coaches for leadership roles in national and international sport.
Each level within the NCCP program is broken down into three components, Theory, Technical and Practical.
Theory courses are an introduction to coaching theory, which teach important principals of coaching such as planning, sport safety, skill analysis, and growth and development. Theory course are taught at community centres, colleges, municipal recreation departments and sports organizations.
Technical courses are taught by each sport governing body. In cycling there are two Technical components for level 1, one for road and track coaches and one for mountain bike coaches. For level 2 Technical, the course involves a two day core component followed by a mountain bike, road or track specific component. The Level 3 cycling technical course (for all disciplines) has been developed by the Canadian Cycling Association. Coaches interested in this course should contact the Canadian Cycling Association for more information about upcoming courses.
The practical component of the NCCP program involves one year of coaching experience following the successful completion of each level of the technical and theory components.
NCCP programs are open to anyone 16 years of age or older. To be elegible for the Practical component, you must be a member of the Ontario Cycling Association. For additional information please contact the OCA office.
All fully certified NCCP coaches who wish their name and contact information to be listed in the Ontario Cycling Handbook and on this web page should send their name, contact information, and NCCP passport number to the OCA office for verification.
Additionally, to be listed coaches must possess a current OCA Coaching Licence, or be affiliated with the OCA through an OCA member club.
View Coach Directory
For information on the National Coaching Certification Program go to http://www.coach.ca/e/index.htm.
A fully qualified Level 1 NCCP coach requires all three components of theory, technical, and practical. To obtain the Practical Level 1 component, coaches may work with the Ontario Team at camps and/or projects. Documented experience at the club level or clinics with riders is also a necessity. Those coaches interested in working with the Provincial Team staff to fulfill their Practical Level 1 requirement may contact the OCA Manager, High Performance Programs to arrange a suitable clinic, camp, or project in which they may participate.
By sharing information and experience, coaches will raise the quality of coaching available to athletes. In turn, the level of training and performance of these athletes will rise to a new level.
Level 1 NCCP theory is available at a number of locations and times throughout the year. Contact the NCCP Coordinator at the Sport Alliance of Ontario at (416) 426-7056 for more information.
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