The CAC has supported the development of orienteering coaches since the early 80's when the COF first developed it's Level 1-2-3 NCCP courses. Since then, hundreds of Level 1, 2 and 3 coaches have been certified across the country and many continue to support the development of our athletes.
In 2006, the COF joined the CAC's initiative to review and update coaching certification through a program called the "New NCCP". This new certification program addresses a broader range of athlete/participants in our sport. For more general information about the NCCP visit the CAC site at: CAC - NEW NCCP
At this time, the COF supports a blend of the old and new NCCP. We are in the process of converting our entire certification program to the New NCCP but that will take another few years! For new coaches, we have just rolled out the Community Sport Coach program. Current coaches will continue to develop their skills under the older Levels certification program. For more information on that program, follow the Levels NCCP link in the left-hand frame.
Community Sport Coaching Program
Over the first 20 years of the NCCP, the CAC recognized that some target groups were not being well served by coaches trained in that program. Specifically, new participants in a given sport did not always have access to effective coaching at the beginner and intermediate level. In orienteering, these beginners typically come from community groups such as schools, sports clubs, cadets, scouts, etc. To address this need in all sports, the New NCCP introduced the Community Sport Coaching Stream. To develop more competitive athletes in a given sport, the New NCCP will train coaches through the Competitive Sport Coaching Stream which is similar in framework to the old Levels system.
Community Sport coaches are parents, teachers, cadet & scout leaders, O-club members, and students in a sports education program. In other words, a Community Coach is an experienced orienteer with a desire to contribute towards the development of new athletes to our sport. These new athletes/orienteers are typically young (8-15) but we also have many adult beginners in orienteering. The Community Sport Coach workshop is 9 hours long. For details on what is covered in the workshop go to the CC Workshop Outline link in the left-hand frame
Becoming a Community Coach for Orienteering
If you are a member of an orienteering club or know a club in your area, contact them and ask about their experience with the New NCCP. If there is no local club (or no available NCCP information) contact your provincial/territorial orienteering association to find out when and where the next workshop will be presented. The provincial association may direct you to the provincial "Master Learning Facilitator" who is the co-ordinator for the delivery of the New NCCP in that province/territory. Contact names and addresses are listed on the P/T Contacts page.
The cost for the Community Coach workshop is $50-$65 depending on the cost of the local facilities to run the workshop. Talk to your sport club, school, provincial association, etc. about supporting your efforts to become a trained Community Coach. Most organizations will be delighted to sponsor new coaches.
Learning Facilitators (LF)
LF's are the equivalent of the course conductors in the old NCCP. They are experienced coaches who train orienteers to become coaches and there is a two-day workshop to train coaches to be Learning Facilitators. Every province has a Master LF who co-ordinates the development of the LF's and the scheduling of CC workshops in their province/territory.
The link at left for Info for Facilitators contains forms and other information to assist in the delivery of the workshops.
Q. What's the difference between Instructors and Coaches?
A. In addition to basic instruction, coaches provide a multi-session training program and an introduction to participation in competitive orienteering events. They also regularly follow-up with the new orienteers to encourage on-going participation in the sport.
Q. Are Community Coaches "certified" by the CAC?
A. At this time, there is no formal evaluation of Community Coaches after the workshop. As such, new CC's will be deemed as "Trained". Certification involves formal observation and evaluation of a coach by LF's or MLF's. This requirement will be applied to new coaches in the Competitive Stream.
Q. I am an educator and/or certified coach in another sport. Do I have to attend all of the CC workshop?
A. Right now, yes. But we are working towards the CAC approval of a shorter (5 hour) workshop outline for experienced coaches, educators, etc.
Q. I have my old Level "n" coaching certification. Do I have to attend the workshop to be a Community Coach?
A. Yes. There is so much new information to be reviewed that it will be well worth your time to attend the workshop. Later in the development of the New NCCP for orienteering we will look at how we can credit the existing Levels coaches in the New Competitive Stream.
Q. After the CC workshop, will I be registered as a coach with the CAC?
A. Yes. You will receive a CAC number and you will be entered into the CAC Certification Database where your progress as a coach (in all sports) will be recorded. This information is treated as confidential and can only be updated by CAC personnel with approval from the provincial/national associations. The link at left has more information.