Coaching Requirements

“NCCP-trained and certified coaches are better able to meet the needs of children and youth who participate in sports. This in turn increases the likelihood of positive experiences and lifelong involvement. More and better trained coaches would lead to more physically active children and alleviation of health issues tied to inactivity and excessive time spent in front of screens.” - John Bales, CEO of Coaching Association of Canada.

Coaching Category Level of NCCP certification needed:

*All new coaches should take the Ontario Basketball Introduction to Competition course listed on the Intro to Comp page.  Only coaches who already have their level one technical should take the Coaches Association of Ontario's Intro to Comp Part A course.

History:
At the 2006 Semi-Annual Meeting of Members the Board of Directors, Ontario Basketball introduced a condition of coaching in Ontario Basketball programs to include mandatory NCCP certification effective October 1, 2006.

Coaches within our Elite and Rep Programs will require the appropriate NCCP certification prior to the beginning of their respective season! Under this new policy, the Grace Period afforded to coaches in their first year of competition at the Ontario Cup Provincial Championships has been removed by the Board of Directors.

Why has the Grace Period been eliminated?
• Coaches have used the Grace Period as a means by which to circumvent Ontario Basketball's certification policy.
• Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball, Squash, etc (our sports competitors) do not allow coaches to coach without proper certification.
• The Ministry of Health Promotion, our government funding partner, has tightened its guidelines.

Why Change to this new policy?
• Specks directly to the purpose of the NCCP Program.
• Brings Ontario Basketball onto the same page as other P/TSO’s.
• Greater benefit to be had by players in our programs.
• Meets funding guidelines of the Ministry of Health Promotion for certified coaches.

Coaches found in contravention:
• Will be subject to sanction through the Fair Play Policy and Procedures of Ontario Basketball.
• Depending on the ruling, penalties could include suspension of coaching privileges for the following season.
• There will be no reasoning to be presented to staff for not completing certification.

What does this mean for our Member Clubs?
• Member Clubs will be more directly responsible for ensuring coaches are certified to the necessary levels.
• Member Clubs will need to start recruiting their coaches early!
• Increased opportunities for certification in the early part of the season.


For more information, please contact Gord Thain, Coordinator, Coaching and Communication at (416) 426-7199.