Visual Guide to PD Points (PDF)

A new era for our Certified competitive coaches has begun. The Coaching Association of Canada is taking steps to ensure our young athletes from coast to coast are being guided by current, trained and educated coaches. Like many professional associations, the CAC is now asking all certified members to actively participate in their own education and personal development. They have introduced a program for certified coaches to earn P.D. (Professional Development) points.

“The Coaching Association of Canada and its partners recognize the value of having certified NCCP coaches that are engaged in Professional Development programs which reinforce the values of lifelong learning and sharing amongst the coaching community.
In order for NCCP coaches to maintain their certified status, they will be required to obtain Professional Development (PD) points. PD points can be earned through a multitude of activities that coaches already participate in, including: national and provincial sport organization conferences and workshops, eLearning modules, NCCP workshops, coach mentorship programs, and active coaching. In most cases coaches are already earning their required PD points — Maintenance of Certification Status is simply the introduction of tracking these points and recognizing coaches for their efforts.”

Here are some of the simple facts about PD points:

1. You have 5 years from the date of your certification to earn 20 points.
2. Points can be earned by simply actively coaching.
   

   
   Active Coaching Declaration

   “From grassroots to high performance, on the field, in the pool, on the ice and snow, or on the track — coaches are constantly learning. By being actively engaged in coaching, coaches are able to learn from their athletes, peers, and situations on and off the field of play.

   Coaches naturally rely on the education formed through their experiences to handle whatever situation is thrown at them. That’s why we are recognizing coaches who are actively coaching with one PD point a year. By completing this active coaching declaration, you are stating that in the calendar year submitted, you coached an athlete(s).

   Have you coached this year? Click here to log in to The Locker to complete the Active Coaching Declaration and earn one PD point. Click on “self-report” under “certification”.

   Don’t forget to come back next year and declare again”

3. Points can be earned by visiting the eLearning section of The Locker and attending eLearning sessions or by writing some eLearning quizzes. (usually 5 points per quiz)
4. Points can be earned by attending CAC sanctioned workshops
   

   
   Events and Workshops

   “The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) benefits from collaboration between the various partners invested in the program. We recognize the impact, value, and importance of these partners and the various events and workshops they hold throughout the year aimed at further developing Canada’s coaches.

   There are currently over 225 sport-specific events and workshops that our partners, and you as coach participants, have outlined as valuable to your continued coach development. These events and workshops include (but are NOT limited to):

   • Annual Conferences like the Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif Conference; CanoeKayak Provincial Conferences; American Baseball Coaches Association Convention; Coaching Manitoba Super-Seminar; British Columbia Learning Facilitators Professional Development Conference, etc.
   • Guest Speakers or Coaching Presentations delivered live or by webinar like Podium Series Coaching Presentations; Snowboard Learning Facilitator Online Updates, etc.
   • Skill Development Workshops or Modules like the BC Speed Skating Equipment Session – Blade Maintenance or the Biathlon Coaches Shooting Seminar;
   • Mentorship Programs like CurlSask Coach Mentor Program or High Performance Consultant Mentorships;
   • Coaching Symposiums like the OSSA Coaching Symposium;
   • Training Camps like Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team Spring Camp;
   • Technical Safety Courses like Sail Canada’s Boat Safety Course
   • Apprenticeship Programs like Saskatchewan Games Aboriginal Apprentices Program

   For more information on pre-approved professional development opportunities specific to your sport that can be found in the Locker, please contact your National or Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization.”

5. The CAC is working to develop even more opportunities to earn points
   

   
   Future Development

    “The National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) and its stakeholders recognize that coaches across Canada are a diverse group. As NCCP certified coaches continue to exemplify creative new ways to improve and educate their coaching practice through professional development (PD), we will continue to develop Maintenance of Certification opportunities to effectively track the great work you are doing in continuing your education.

   The NCCP team continues to develop Maintenance of Certification by:

   • collecting sport-specific and multi-sport professional development opportunities from our partners and adding them as pre-approved PD in the Locker;
   • exploring partnerships with other training delivery agents (such as First-Aid, post-secondary institutions, etc.);
   • and moving toward implementing a submission tool for self-directed professional development.

   Stay up-to-date as Maintenance of Certification expands by ensuring you receive Inside Coaching, our monthly eNewsletter, by managing your preferences in your Locker account (make sure you click that you want to receive our emails), and by checking back to this section for updates.”

Here are some questions we do not have answers to yet:

1. What happens if I don’t earn my 20 points in 5 years?
2. Will I be able to earn points for coaching at tournaments?
3. Do I have to start to earn another 20 points after the 5 years or are the points accumulated over a rolling 5 years?
4. Once I’ve earned 20 points am I valid for 5 years from that point in time or only from my original start date.
5. Will the C5 or A5 recognize me as a Certified coach if I don’t earn enough PD points to remain current?
6. If I don’t earn 20 PD points in the 5 years will I need to start coaching from scratch again or will I just be uncertified until I reach my 20 points?
7. Will the C5 be developing methods to earn points through bowling related learnings or workshops?

Visual Guide to PD Points (PDF)