Provincial Team Program (PTP) Coach Application

Each year, Canada Basketball hosts a Nationwide competition for provincial and territorial U15 and U17 teams. Nova Scotia has been proud to field teams for the last 25 years, and we are currently accepting applications for head and assistant coaches for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Basketball Nova Scotia (BNS) is committed to strengthening our programs and coach development through consistency and accountability in our coaching staff, hence the request of a two-year commitment.

In addition, the Canada Games - a national multi-sport event - is held every two years rotating between summer and winter sports. The 2025 Canada Summer Games will take place August 8-24 in St, John’s NL, and BNS will be preparing to send both a U17 girls and boys team. Our head and assistant coach selection for the 2024 season will also include selection for the 2025 Canada Games, as well as for the National Championships for our U15 teams.

Head and assistant coaches who are selected for the 2024 season should be prepared to commit to a two-year term, with the potential for a third year (third year commitment is not a requirement and MAY be explored as an option if coaches are interested). Coaches will be assessed and undergo a review after each season. The review will include a self assessment of coach performance, survey results from parents and athletes, and feedback from BNS staff. BNS has the discretion to make any necessary coaching changes before, during or after the season. 

U16 Development Training Group (DTG)

Overview

As we progress toward the 2025 Canada Summer Games and work to improve skill level across the board for our basketball programs throughout the province, the U16 Development Training Group (U16 DTG) will be offered the opportunity to stay connected to the PTP through development sessions over the summer with BNS coaches. 

We will aim to select at least one head coach and one assistant coach for each of the U16 groups. The coaches who are selected for the program will be in consideration to join our 2025 Canada Games coaching staff. Head and assistant coaches will be expected to attend the U15 and U17 PTP tryouts, as the athletes for the U16 program will be selected from the tryouts.

Coaches will be assessed after the completion of the summer sessions through a self assessment, athlete and parent surveys, as well as feedback from BNS staff.

Application Process for assistant and head coaches for U15, U17 and U16 DTG:

Applications will be completed through the RAMP registration system and applicants will be required to submit the following:

• Cover letter and resume
• NCCP number (if no NCCP #, please sign up here: Get NCCP number)
• Safe Sport Training (completed for free through The Locker)
• Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC). Shortlisted coaches will be required to submit it.

PTP Head Coach Requirements:
Candidates will be considered per the following criteria:

• Experience: Minimum of three (3) years experience head coaching high school, college/university or professional (or previous experience coaching at National Championships or within the National program). 
• Certification: Coaches must be in the NCCP Train to Compete pathway. First year coaches, in training; 2nd year coaches, trained; and 3rd year (and above) coaches, certified. Note: If a coach applies with no certification, there may be opportunities to begin training in the pathway before completion of the application process.
• Commitment: Ability to make a two-year commitment to the program (BNS is committed to strengthening our programs and coach development through consistency and accountability in our coaching staff).
• Availability: Availability to attend all key PTP programming including tryouts, training camp and National Championships.
• Knowledge: Practice/season planning knowledge and experience as well as a high level of understanding of technical and tactical aspects of the game.
• Relationships: A strong ability to build positive and professional relationships with various stakeholder groups.
• Communication: A clear, concise and transparent communicator in all aspects (written and verbal).

PTP Assistant Coach Requirements:
Candidates will be considered per the following criteria:

• Experience: Minimum of three (3) years experience coaching (in either a head or assistant role) high school, college/university or professional (or previous experience coaching at National Championships or within the National program). 
• Certification: Coaches must be in the NCCP Train to Compete pathway. First year coaches, in training; 2nd year coaches, trained; and 3rd year (and above) coaches, certified.
• Availability: Availability to attend all key programming including tryouts, training camp and National Championships.
• Knowledge: Practice/season planning knowledge and experience as well as an understanding of technical and tactical aspects of the game.
• Relationships: A strong ability to build positive and professional relationships.
• Communication: A clear, concise and transparent communicator.

U16 DTG Coach Requirements

Candidates will be considered per the following criteria:

• Experience: Minimum of three (3) years experience coaching (in either a head or assistant role) high school, college/university or professional (or previous experience coaching at National Championships or within the National program). 
• Certification: Coaches must be in the NCCP Train to Train pathway.
• Availability: Availability to attend the majority training sessions.
• Relationships: A strong ability to build positive and professional relationships.
• Communication: A clear, concise and transparent communicator.

Responsibilities of PTP Head Coaches:

• Adhere to all BNS policies and procedures including Coach Code of Conduct.
• Support and promote BNS vision, mission and values.
• Act as an ambassador for the province and BNS and hold all team members accountable to appropriate and safe behaviors at all times.
• Work in conjunction with BNS staff to manage all aspects of tryouts and athlete selections.
• Plan, prepare and direct team training and practices.
• Support any team fundraising initiatives.
• Be available for meetings as necessary and as requested by BNS.
• Participate in an introduction workshop prior to tryouts.
• Participate in the BNS Mentorship Program and work with an individual mentor.
• Participate in program review and evaluations as requested by BNS.
• Support and make recommendations on assistant coach selections. 
• Manage coaching staff and any team volunteers.
• Ensure all athletes return applicable forms to BNS by deadline.
• Collect all uniforms from athletes after program completion and ensure they are returned, washed and dried and in good condition.

• Attendance at the following key events (for all tryouts, including, where possible, those for other teams):
  • Tryout #1: May 4, 9:00am - 5:00pm - Canada Games Center, Halifax and North Nova Education Centre, New Glasgow). 
  • Tryout #2: May 11 and 12, 9:00am - 5:00pm (Canada Games Center, Halifax)

  • 1st training weekend/Media day: June 21-22, 2024

  •  

    2nd training weekend/fundraising/playing weekend (BNS Tournament): July 11-14, 2024

  •  

    Training camp: July 27 - July 30, 2024 (Halifax)

  •  

    Departure to Nationals: August 3, 2024

  •  

    Nationals: August 5-10, 2024 (Boys, ON; Girls, NL)

Responsibilities of PTP Assistant Coaches:

• Adhere to all BNS policies and procedures including Coach Code of Conduct.
• Support and promote BNS vision, mission and values.
• Act as an ambassador for the province and BNS and hold all team members accountable to appropriate behavior at all times.
• Support coaching staff in all aspects of tryouts and athlete selections.
• Support coaching staff where needed in planning and executing practice/training.
• Support any team fundraising initiatives.
• Provide insight and feedback to the head coach where needed, on athlete feedback.
• Be available for meetings as necessary and as requested by BNS/coaching staff..
• Participate in program review and evaluations as requested by BNS.
• Attendance at the following key events:
  • Tryout #1: May 4, 9am-5pm (Halifax and/or New Glasgow)
  • Tryout #2: May 11 and 12, 9am-5pm (Canada Games Center, Halifax)
  • 1st training weekend/Media day: June 21-22, 2024
  • 2nd training weekend Fundraising/Playing weekend: July 11-14, 2024
  • Training camp: July 27 - July 30, 2024 
  • Departure to Nationals: August 3, 2024
  • Nationals: August 5-10, 2024 (Boys, ON; Girls, NL)

Responsibility of BNS U16 DTG Coaches:

• Adhere to all BNS policies and procedures including Coach Code of Conduct.
• Support and promote BNS vision, mission and values.
• Act as an ambassador for the province and BNS and hold all team members accountable to appropriate behavior at all times.
• Support PTP coaches in all aspects of tryouts and athlete selections.
• Plan, prepare and direct group training sessions with support from BNS staff.
• Be available for meetings as necessary and as requested by BNS.
• Ensure all athletes return applicable forms to BNS by deadline.
• Attend all applicable PTP tryouts and DTG training sessions. 
• Participate in program review and evaluations as requested by BNS.

Responsibility of BNS:

• Provide program support throughout the season.
• Lead the Coach Mentorship Program, working with both mentors and coaches on development support. 
• Provide coach stipend and cost recovery (meals, mileage etc) for all coaches as part of program work.
• Inform coaches on program details including budget and travel logistics.
• Arrange all National Championships logistics (travel, accommodations, food, etc.)
• Provide coaches with program gear.
• Support head coaches in the selection of assistant coaches.
• Support coaching staff on selection of program athletes.