ACA CSCF Coach Certification and Licensing Policy NCCP Coach Certification General Information Over the past several years, the coach CSCF certification program has been undergoing a major transition from the old knowledge based NCCP Theory and CSCF technical practical program to a new competency based program where coaches now demonstrate their competence. The program is based on what the coach can DO as well as what the coach needs to KNOW. The new program is founded on 5 core coaching competencies; valuing, leading, interacting, problem solving and critical thinking. For each coaching context the program is based on a certification pathway which combines learning and coaching evaluation events required to attain certification. This process requires one or more seasons to complete depending on the coaching context. All activities within the pathways are linked to long term athlete development stages defined in ACA s AIM 2 documentation from FUN damentals to Train to Win stages. In each certification pathway there are 3 stages or statuses of progress recognition; TRAINED, CERTIFIED and CERTIFIED ADVANCED. These identify a professional coaching continuum from apprentice coach to expert coach. The new program evaluates coaches for certification on the hill, with athletes in a real coaching context. Active coaches are encouraged to move horizontally within their coaching context to CERTIFIED or CERTIFIED ADVANCED status, whichever is most appropriate, as quickly as reasonably possible. This completes the formal certification process. ACA CSCF Coach License General Information In order to maintain active status for certified coaches, a ACA CSCF Coach License is required for all those coaching participants in ski racing programs from the entry level to the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. The maintenance of a ACA CSCF Coach License is not required for those not coaching or those strictly instructing in ski school programs. However, the CSCF strongly recommends that any ski professional working in the industry undertake a regular professional development program to remain updated with current information and trends in the sport. A ACA CSCF Coach License is proof that the coach has completed minimum requirements to retain an active and insured coaching status. ACA CSCF Coach License requirements apply to CERTIFIED statuses only in both the old and new coaching programs (e.g. Level 2 CERTIFIED or Development Level CERTIFIED).
Maintenance of a ACA CSCF Coach License, in any coaching context, requires: o relevant professional development activity to show continued learning and updating type of activity and frequency/time spent in professional development activities will vary depending on the coaching context o risk management updating annually CSCF offers an on line Risk Management for Coaches internet application as an option to satisfying this requirement o behaviour according to the CSCF Coach Code of Conduct available through CSCF membership renewal, on line annually ACA CSCF Coach Licenses expire on August 30 annually and must be renewed through the CSCF.
General Administration and Information The CSCF will be responsible to administer and track all coach training, evaluation and professional development activities required by this policy. For more detailed information on the coach training and certification program and ongoing professional development opportunities in all contexts, contact the CSCF directly or visit the CSCF web site at www.snowpro.com. Alpine Athlete Development Progression Coach Education Program Train to WIN Age 19 Draft J1 & 2 Sel Sel Train to Compete 18 17 16 15 Masters Racing Regional/Provincial Programs Canada Games Able Disabled K2 Core Ext Sel Sr Elite CAST CDAST Train to Train FUN damentals 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 Ski and Boarding Schools Learn to Ski Programs Pre Entry Level Ski Schools Ski Clubs Ski Schools Core Entry Level Boy Girls 6 12 years Special O Able Disabled (local team racing) I2 (local individual racing) Core K1 Ext Core Ext Sel Core Participation Extended Transition Selection High Perf. Ski Clubs Boys Girls Able Disabled Core Club programs Basic Weekend & Xmas Programs participation level Extended Club programs More days on snow programming transition level Selection programs Individualized high intensity programming performance level Participant/Athlete Progression Entry Level Coach Education Program Development Level Performance Level High Performance
Entry Level (EL) Coach Certification Pathway General Certification Requirements Hired First Time Entry Level coach who is hired for the first time, to work with Entry Level ski racing participants, generally 12 years and under, at a Club or Ski School weekend program Minimum Required Certification Status EL TRAINED Returning Entry Level coach, as above, who is returning to a club or ski school program after a season of Entry Level coaching EL CERTIFIED status should take no more than one season of coaching entry level athletes to accomplish While working towards CERTIFIED status, coaches retain TRAINED status. EL CERTIFIED after one season of coaching 07/08 Professional Development Requirements for EL Coach License Requirements Attend one (1) recognized professional development activity annually and be actively coaching 08/09 September 1, 2008
Development Level (DL) Coach Certification Pathway General Certification Requirements Hired First Time Development Level coach at a club working for the first time in weekend and extended Train to Train level (K1/K2/J1) athlete programs. Returning Development Level coach, as above, who is returning to a club program coaching development level ski racing participants. DL CERTIFIED status should take about 2 seasons to accomplish. While working towards CERTIFIED status, coaches retain TRAINED status. Minimum Required Certification Status Level 2 CERTIFIED or DL TRAINED Level 2 CERTIFIED or DL TRAINED and working toward DL CERTIFIED 08/09
Certification Requirements for Representing Athletes at Competitions Competition Requirements K2 Nationals Whistler Cup Level 2 CERTIFIED DL CERTIFIED 08/09 Professional Development Requirements for DL Coach License Requirements Attend one (1) recognized professional development session annually and be actively coaching 08/09 September 1, 2008
Performance Level (PL) Coach Certification Pathway Note: the PL certification pathway is currently under development by ACA and CSCF. A combination of new Performance Level competency based programming and old Level 3 programming (NCCP Level 3 Theory and CSCF Level 3 Exams) are available during the season. The new Performance Level competency based program is being implemented as follows: TRAINED status programming season CERTIFIED and CERTIFIED ADVANCED status programming 07/08 season onward General Certification Requirements Hired First Time Performance Level coach working with Train to Compete level (K2/J1/J2/FIS) participants in club and/or regional full time seasonal and year round extended and selection programs Returning Performance Level coach, as above, who is returning to a program after coaching Performance Level athletes. CERTIFIED status should take 2 3 seasons of coaching to accomplish. While working towards CERTIFIED status, coaches retain TRAINED status. Minimum Required Certification Status Level 3 CERTIFIED Completed PL Intro Course 1 and working towards PL TRAINED status Level 3 CERTIFIED PL TRAINED and working towards CERTIFIED status 07/08 08/09 Certification Requirements for Representing Athletes at Competitions Competition Requirements To represent athletes Pontiac GMC Cup events incl. Nationals NorAm events hosted in Canada J1 Nationals Canadian Regional FIS events Level 3 CERTIFIED or PL TRAINED 08/09
Professional Development Requirements for PL Coach License Requirements Attend one (1) recognized professional development session annually and be actively coaching 07/08 September 1, 2007
High Performance Level (HPL) The current Level 4 certification program is still in the old paradigm using Level 4 Task completion as requirements. Level 4 tasks can be accessed individually at various events and conferences or through the National Coaching Institute programs regionally across the country. The transition to a competency based program will start in the 07/08 season. The CSCF Advanced Coaching Program Policy governs the advanced coaching program. General Certification Requirements Hired First Time High Performance Level coach working primarily Train to Win level (FIS) participants in PSO and CAST selection programs Returning High Performance Level coach, as above, who is returning to a PSO or CAST program after coaching High Performance Level athletes. Level 4 CERTIFICATION should take 3 5 years of coaching and task work to accomplish. Minimum Required Certification Status PSO CAST Level 3 CERTIFIED CAST Head Coaches and Discipline Heads Level 4 CERTIFIED Level 3 CERTIFIED and working toward Level 4 CERTIFIED LEVEL 4 CERTIFIED 09/10 09/10 Certification Requirements for Representing Athletes at Competitions Competition Requirements World Championships Level 4 CERTIFIED for 09/10 Olympic Winter Games CAST Head Coaches and Discipline Heads Professional Development Requirements for HPL Coach License Requirements Attend one (1) recognized professional development session annually and be actively coaching 07/08 September 1, 2007
Professional Development Activities There are several types or categories of professional development activities: Alpine specific performance related Alpine specific general Sport generic performance related Sport generic general Other Knowledge based (attend only) Competency base (examined to standard) Following are examples of events that qualify as relevant professional development activities for maintaining a Coach License: Professional Development Activity Relevant Context EL DL PL HP CSCF Coach Instructor PD CSCF Speed Camp (K1 or K2) CSCF Mentor Leader training CSCF Entry Level Facilitator training CSCF Development Level Facilitator training CSCF Course Setting seminar CSCF Setting an Environment seminar CSCF Teaching and Learning module CSCF Mental Prep module CSCF Design a sport program DL module CSCF Design a sport program PL module Sport Nutrition module CSCF K1/K2 Conditioning seminar (delivered by PSOs and/or ACA) CSCF Decision training on snow PD CSCF Coaching Disabled Athletes (AWAD) module CSCF Ski Improvement module CSCF on line internet applications Ski racing terminology and basic technical concepts Entry Level Ski racing terminology and basic technical concepts Development Level Husky Snow Stars Risk Management for Coaches CSIA Convention CSIA Level 1 course CSIA Level 2 course CSIA Level 3 course or exams CSIA Level 4 course or exams CSIA GS module CSIA modules (bump, all mountain, technical skills development, training camp) CSIA Park and Pipe course (2 day Trained or 3 day Certified) CFSA Freestyle Park and Pipe course (3 day course) NCCP Competition Introduction multi sport modules (offered by provincial government agencies)
Professional Development Activity Relevant Context EL DL PL HP PSO Officials course (Level 1, 2, 3, Technical Delegate) PSO seminar approved by CSCF PSO coaching interface Regional seminar approved by CSCF Club/Ski School ski improvement session Club PD session approved by CSCF Mentor assessment in the field ACA/CSCF Coaches Summit spring seminar FIS Technical Delegate update ACA mentoring event (e.g. Whistler Cup camp, K2 camps, Rising Star camps) CAST coaching interface NCCP/Alpine Level 4 tasks Sport science or related course/research may qualify approved by CSCF (e.g. diploma and degree courses in Phys. Ed., Kinesiology) Other generic courses may qualify approved by CSCF (budgeting/accounting, writing skills, public speaking, second language) Sport conferences may qualify approved by CSCF Any alpine coach pathway event relevant to coach s context Other related sport coach pathway events approved by CSCF (e.g. gymnastics, trampoline, freestyle ski) Other agency sport or safety related accreditations or refreshers may qualify approved by CSCF (e.g. strength and conditioning, fitness testing, first aid, CPR, Ski Patrol) etc. This list will be updated on an annual basis. For questions about relevancy, for credit purposes, for activities not listed, contact the CSCF for more information.