OTTAWA, ON (May 12, 2020) – The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and Decathlon Canada today announced a partnership to support coaches to inspire more people across Canada to stay active. The partnership includes discounted online coach education and a platform for coaches and activity leaders to manage and promote coaching activities. The initiative is part of an incentive plan to motivate a return to play and sport when the time comes for people across Canada to be together again.

From today until June 30, 2020, the eLearning module NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport will be available free of charge for coaches across Canada who sign up to learn more about the Decathlon Community sports platform. Ongoing discounts will be provided throughout the course of the new, three-year partnership that will help people across Canada discover and incorporate the benefits of physical activity into their daily lives. Decathlon Canada employees will also receive free access to the training, thus ensuring that their own coaches and activity leaders are implementing the core elements of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).

"We're extremely pleased to bring Decathlon Canada on board as our newest national partner," says Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer of the CAC. "Every participant in Canada deserves a great coach. And, first-time volunteers will have better coaching experiences with this introduction to the knowledge, skills, and competencies that build the best environment for youth programming. We are united in our belief that coach training is an important ingredient in building quality sport."

The NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport module introduces coaches to the foundational skills of coaching, such as long-term development, ethics, coaching motivation, and participant safety and wellness. It also introduces coaches to the key concepts and educational tools that are the foundation of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Coaches can also access further training to improve their skills and competencies in the program.

Decathlon Community is a digital sports experience platform and app that enables coaches to manage and promote their classes, training sessions, and related activities. Until June 30, coaches who sign up to learn more about Decathlon Community will receive a promotional code that will provide them free access to the NCCP eLearning module. After June 30, coaches who sign up will receive discounted access to the module.

"We're thrilled to be teaming up with the CAC for the long term," says John Butcher, Partnerships Leader for Decathlon Canada. "Our mission is to make sports more accessible for everyone and quality coaching is a key factor in helping us achieve it. As the presenting partner of NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport, we look forward to helping new coaches begin their coaching journeys and to driving meaningful, lasting engagement with their participants."

About the Coaching Association of Canada

The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) unites stakeholders and partners in its commitment to raising the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately expanding their reach and influence. Through its programs, the CAC empowers coaches with knowledge and skills, promotes ethics, fosters positive attitudes, builds competence, and increases the credibility and recognition of coaches.

About Decathlon

A leading global sports company with over 1600 stores in more than 50 countries, Decathlon develops its own quality products at accessible prices for over 65 sports. Decathlon Canada offers full sports experiences for everyone; from in-store gyms and equipment test zones, to sports classes, a coaching app, and activities for your community, both online and off. Learn more at www.decathlon.ca.

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