Becoming a coach in Canada
Coaches inspire their participants to excel. They lead while building tomorrow’s leaders. When you coach, you encourage participants of all ages to be active, to challenge themselves, and to have fun.
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Coaches often start out as athletes, as parents, as teachers, or as sport fans. Many become coaches because they want to give back to their community. Although some coaches are paid for their work, coaching is the most common form of volunteerism in Canada.
What all coaches share is a dedication to participants, to their communities, and to promoting values such as respect, diversity, and inclusion. The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) provides advice, information, and educational programs to help coaches succeed and create positive sport experiences for all participants.
In Canada, coaching education, certification, and recognition happens through a network of partners:
- The Government of Canada
- National Sport Organizations (NSOs)
- National Multi-Sport Service Organizations
- Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institutes
- Canadian Sport Centres and Institutes (CSCs/CSIs)
- Provincial and Territorial Governments
- Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives (PTCRs)
- Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASBs)
- Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations (PTSOs)
- Corporate Partners and sponsors
The CAC works with all of these partners to deliver programs for coaches in Canada, including the National Coaching Certification Program.
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Ready to go?
Whether you are new to coaching or an experienced coach who is new to Canada, the resources below will help you get started and understand your next steps.
Coaching in Canada eLearning module
This module was developed to support international coaches in applying and adapting their coaching methods and past experiences within the context of sport in Canada. After completing this module, all coaches will better understand the sport system in Canada and how to implement athlete-centered coaching practices.
National Coaching Certification Program
The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) provides standardized, inclusive, and safe sport education to coaches and coach developers across Canada.
Coach Initiation in Sport eLearning module
This module introduces new or experienced coaches to the foundational skills of coaching, such as long-term athlete development, ethics, coaching motivation, and athlete safety and wellness. It also teaches the key coaching concepts and educational tools that are the foundation of the NCCP.