Coaching Education and Resources

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ARE YOU A NEW COACH?

 

All new coaches should take these steps to begin your coach education:

1. Create an account with The Locker (Canada-wide coaching portal where you can access coach education opportunities and track your education). Click here to create an account. You'll also get an NCCP number, which is your Canada-wide coaching number.
2. Create an account in Gameplan (Canada Basketball portal where you can find Basketball-specific education opportunities).
   1. Click here to register. Click here to learn "How to register in Gameplan"
   2. Click here to learn "How to sign up for a workshop". 
3. Begin some coach education:
1. In your Locker account, under ELearning, take the Safesport course (all coaches are required to take this). 
2. In your Locker account, take "Initiation in Sport" ($15 - For Basketball Nova Scotia member coaches, email basketballtd@sportnovascotia.ca to access this for free). 
3. Navigate to CoachNS here and take the "Make Ethical Decisions" course, for FREE.

 

CERTIFICATIONS

What is NCCP? 

NCCP stands for National Coaching Certification Program. It is a Nationally recognized program that offers standardized training and certifications for coaches across many sports. Basketball coaches can receive multiple levels of certification through the program.

Who should take NCCP courses?

All coaches. There are courses that apply to coaching athletes at all levels. There are four different NCCP coaching streams, based on the level of athletes you're coaching:

• Community Sport
• Competition Introduction
• Competition Development
• High Performance

Within each stream, there are courses and professional development opportunities. Here is the breakdown:

• Community Sport
  • FUNdamentals - This course is suitable for coaches and parents who have limited or basic basketball experience and who wish to coach children’s basketball. It is intended for coaches working with athletes ages 6-10. To find out more about the course, click here.
• Competition Introduction
  • Learn to Train - This course is suitable for coaches and parents working with players who have varying levels of playing experience. It is intended for coaches working with athletes ages 9-12, and is a pre-requisite for Train to Train. To find out more about the course, click here.
  • Train to Train - This course is suitable for coaches who work with competitive youth players and want to advance their coaching pathway. It is intended for coaches working with athletes age 13-15. Coaches must be Learn to Train Certified before they can proceed to Train to Train. To find out more about the course, click here.
• Competition Development
  • Train to Compete - This course is suitable for coaches working with athletes at the competitive level who may be working toward or are pursuing university, college, or national team opportunities. It is intended for coaches working with athletes age 16+. To find out more about the course, click here.
• High Performance
  • This training is meant for National Team Coaches

 

 

 

 

How do I register for a course?

1. Sign up for a Gameplan account. Gameplan is the Canada Basketball platform for all things coaching basketball. Click here, to create an account. Click here to learn how to create an account.

2. Click here for the steps to register for a course. 

3. Keep an eye out on Basketball Nova Scotia Social Media and check our website for upcoming coaching courses.

Can I request to run a course for my club?

Yes!

INTRODUCTORY COACHING COURSE

Basketball Nova Scotia’s (BNS) Introductory Coaching Course is a FREE coaching course available to all Basketball Nova Scotia Member Clubs.

The course was created to help bridge the gap for coaches in their first years of coaching prior to completing their NCCP FUNdamentals or Learn to Train Certification. The course will soon be offered by Basketball Nova Scotia. Stay tuned for more details.

The Introductory Coaching Course counts towards BNS’s minimum coach education as required by the Coach Screening Policy.

RESOURCES

 Included are links for resources to assist newer coaches in preparation for the course and upcoming basketball season.

• Emergency Action Plan (Every coach should have one of these at their practices)
• Detailed Practice Plan Example
• Practice Plan Template
• Safe Sport Training (this can be accessed through "The Locker") 
• Black and Indigenous mentorship program

 

In Canada, coaching education, certification, and recognition happens through a network of partners

• The Government of Canada
• National Sport Organizations (NSOs) - Canada Basketball
• 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)

The Coaching Association of Canada works with all of these partners to deliver programs for coaches in Canada, including the National Coaching Certification Program.

 

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

 

Safesport training (FREE)

Anti-Racisim in sport (FREE)

Respect in sport

Mental health in sport (FREE)

Intercultural skills in sport (FREE)

NCCP Coaching athletes with disabilities

NCCP Creating a positive sport environment

NCCP Making headway (FREE)

NCCP Sport nutrition

NCCP Emergency action plan (FREE)

NCCP Coaching initiation in sport (FREE for Nova Scotian coaches by emailing nancy.zanni@novascotia.ca)

Keeping girls in sport

Coaching kids of all abilities

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SAFESPORT TRAINING

Safesport training is grounded in creating a culture where everyone can thrive in a shared responsibility. The Safe Sport Training module developed by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) will help anyone involved in sport identify and prevent situations of maltreatment. The Safesport eLearning course offers:

• A complete 90-minute program of safe sport training at no cost 
• eLearning that works with all computer operating systems, mobile phones, tablets and other devices
• Training in your choice of English or French
• Online training that’s compliant with accessibility standards
• Professional development points for certified coaches

Where to take the course: Login to your Locker account here. Click on “ELearning” in the top menu.

Time: 90 minutes

Cost: FREE

Learn more about Safesport training

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ANTI-RACISM IN COACHING

Anti-Racisim in coaching is a Coaching Association of Canada eLearning that will help coaches:

• Build their knowledge of issues related to race and racism in Canada that affect coaching 
• Expand understanding of how to be an anti-racist coach 
• Cultivate skills in supporting racialized participants in sport 

Where to take the course: Login to your Locker account here. Click on “ELearning” in the top menu.

Time: 60-75 minutes

Cost: FREE

Learn more about Anti-Racisim in Sport training

RESPECT IN SPORT

Respect Group is Canada’s first, on-line, abuse, discrimination, bullying and harassment prevention training program for community/sport organizations, schools and corporations. The organization has worked with multiple universities, colleges, provincial sport organizations and National sport bodies, to offer Respect in Sport training and resources for coaches, officials, sport leaders and parents.

Here are the details for some of the training offered:

Respect in sport activity leader/coach program	2.5 hours	$30
Respect in sport for parents	1 hour	$12
Respect in sport for officials

 

Learn more about Respect in Sport training

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MENTAL HEALTH IN SPORT

Mental Health in Sport is a Coaching Association of Canada eLearning that will help coaches:

• Describe the foundations of mental health
• Recognize and understand their role in promoting coach and participant well-being
• Understand the importance of self-care  

Where to take the course: Login to your Locker account here. Click on “ELearning” in the top menu.

Time: 45-60 minutes

Cost: FREE

Learn more about Mental Health in Sport training

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INTERCULTURAL SKILLS IN SPORT

Intercultural skills in sport is a Coaching Association of Canada eLearning that helps foster skills that are essential to promoting inclusivity and understanding among participants and coaches. It works through how to embrace cultural diversity which enriches team dynamics and enhances the overall sport experience for everyone.

Where to take the course: Login to your Locker account here. Click on “ELearning” in the top menu.

Time: 20 minutes

Cost: FREE

Learn more about Intercultural skills in sport training

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NCCP COACHING ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES

Coaching athletes with disabilities is a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) course that will help you to:

• Understand different disabilities in order to create a safe, welcoming environment
• Expand perceptions about people with disabilities
• Understand the basics of coaching people with disabilities
• Apply relevant principles to adapt your coaching environment for people of all abilities
• Understand that participation in sport is a right for people of all abilities and provides a range of physical and mental health benefits

Where to take the course: Login to your Locker account here. Click on “ELearning” in the top menu.

Time: 45-60 minutes

Cost: $15

Learn more about Coaching Athletes With Disabilities training

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NCCP CREATING A POSITIVE SPORT ENVIRONMENT

Creating a Positive Sport Environment is a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) course that will help you to:

• Describe the characteristics and benefits of participant-centered coaching 
• Explain the types of harm that may occur when a coach misuses their power and how to respond to suspicions or knowledge of maltreatment 
• Use positive coaching strategies to create a positive sport environment, enhance safety, and improve learning and performance 

Where to take the course: Login to your Locker account here. Click on “ELearning” in the top menu.

Time: 40-50 minutes

Cost: $15

Learn more about Creating A Positive Sport Environment training

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NCCP MAKING HEADWAY

Making Headway is a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) course that will help you learn:

• How to prevent concussions
• How to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion
• What to do when you suspect an athlete has a concussion
• How to ensure athletes return to play safely

Where to take the course: Login to your Locker account here. Click on “ELearning” in the top menu.

Time: 60 minutes

Cost: FREE

Learn more about Making Headway training

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NCCP SPORT NUTRITION

Sport Nutrition is a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) course that will help you to:

• Explain the basic nutritional needs of an athlete;
• Take appropriate measures to ensure that athletes stay hydrated during exercise;
• Educate athletes on the use of nutritional supplements and sports drinks;
• Encourage a positive body image in their athletes;
• Identify the different types of disordered eating;
• Support athletes with special nutritional needs;
• Identify common food allergies and intolerances;
• Provide accurate guidance to athletes and their parents or caregivers on nutrition before, during, and after exercise.; and
• Provide accurate nutritional guidance to athletes and their parents or caregivers before and during travel.

Where to take the course: Login to your Locker account here. Click on “ELearning” in the top menu.

Time: 40-60 minutes

Cost: $20

Learn more about Sport Nutrition training

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NCCP EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

Emergency action plan training is a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) eLearning  that will help you to:

• Describe the importance of having an emergency action plan (EAP);
• Identify when to activate your EAP;
• Explain the responsibilities of the charge person and call person when your EAP is activated;
• Create a detailed EAP that includes all required information for responding to an emergency.

Where to take the course: Login to your Locker account here. Click on “ELearning” in the top menu.

Time: 15 minutes

Cost: FREE

Learn more about Sport Nutrition training

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NCCP COACH INITIATION IN SPORT

Coach initiation in sport is a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) eLearning that will help you to:

• Understand your role as a coach in creating a safe, inclusive, accessible and welcoming sport environment for people of all abilities
• Understand the importance of and ways to listen to, and learn from, each person’s unique goals and needs
• Explain how quality sport participation and an inclusive environment is beneficial, and a right, for all participants
• Apply relevant principles to adapt your coaching environment for people of different abilities
• Apply basic coaching principles to enhance participants’ skill development
• Identify other relevant learning opportunities to support your development as a coach 

Where to take the course: Login to your Locker account here. Click on “ELearning” in the top menu.

Time: 60 minutes

Cost: FREE (for Nova Scotian coaches by emailing nancy.zanni@novascotia.ca) otherwise, $15

Learn more about Coach Initiation in Sport training

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KEEPING GIRLS IN SPORT

Keeping Girls in Sport was developed by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities in partnership with Canadian Women & Sport and the Coaching Association of Canada. In this e-learning module, coaches and activity leaders will build their understanding of how to:

• Address common motivators and barriers for girls in sport;
• Navigate the ways girls and boys experience sport environments differently throughout their development stages;
• Foster positive sport environments for girls; and,
• Ultimately keep girls engaged in sport.

Where to take the course: Click here

Time: 2 hours

Cost: $17

Learn more about Keeping Girls in Sport training

 

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COACHING KIDS OF ALL ABILITIES

The Coaching Kids of All Abilities resource was developed by Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program, in partnership with Active Living Aliance, Canucks Autism Network, Coaching Association of Canada and Defi Sportif Altegro. The resource provides coaches and youth leaders practical information and tools to ensure their sport, activity, and community are inclusive, so every child has a chance to fulfill their dreams. There are three courses to train: Supporting positive behaviour, Welcoming all abilities, and Inclusive play leadership.

Where to take the course: Click here

Cost: Supporting positive behaviour $15, Welcoming all abilities $30, Inclusive play leadership $15

 

 

Learn more about Coach Kids of All Abilities training