COACHING CERTIFICATION

 

Please review and read carefully to ensure you meet all qualification to be on the bench.  Non compliant coaches will be removed on 15 May 2025.

Coach Certification (must be 16 years old) 

Coaches can take one course per season

First year coaches must start with Community Development          

Registration Instructions for Coach Certification Programs (NCCP)

From getting your NCCP number to registering for your first clinic, the steps to becoming a lacrosse coach

STEP ONE 

Get your NCCP number

You can have multiple sport profiles under one NCCP number. If you already have an NCCP number, you do not need another. Skip to step two.

  1. Go to coach.ca
  2. Click on the red tab called The Locker (at the top right)
  3. Click on “Don't have an account”?
  4. Check the box “I agree”
  5. Check the box “I want to create a Locker account for access to my transcript, eLearning opportunities, to sign up for coaching events, and more!”

Remember to write your NCCP number and password down

STEP Two

Register for coaching clinic

Please refer to the Coaching Clinic tab and choose a clinic to register for for. 

Click HERE for more detailed instructions on how to sign up for a clinic.

Coaching Requirements Overview

Requirement

U7 - U13 Coaches

U15 - U17 Coaches

Minimum Age

16 years

16 years

Registration in RAMP

Required (with member club)

Required (with member club)

Community Development

Required

Required (Prerequisite)

Competitive Introduction

—

Required

Making Ethical Decisions (MED)

 Required

Required

Making Headway in Sport

Required

Required (if not already completed)

Respect in Sport - Activity Leader

Required (valid 4 seasons)

Replaced with Safe Sport Training

Vulnerable Sector Police Check (VSS)

Required (valid 3 seasons)

Required (valid 3 seasons)

Understanding the Rule of Two

Required

Required (if not already completed)

NCCP Emergency Action Plan

Required

Required (if not already completed)

Safe Sport Training

— 

Required

Mental Health in Sport

—

Required

Notes

  • All coaches on the bench (Head and Assistant) must meet the requirements for their division
  • First-year coaches must begin with Community Development
  • Coaches showing “In Training” in their NCCP Locker (2019-present) are eligible to coach
  • Non-compliant coaches will be removed from the bench as of May 15, 2026

U7 - U13 Coach Requirements

  • Community Development
  • Respect in Sport - Activity Leader (valid for 4 seasons)
  • Vulnerable Sector Police Check (VSS) (valid for 3 seasons)
  • Making Ethical Decisions (MED)

Required Free Pre-Training Modules available on NCCP

  • Making Headway in Sport
  • Understanding the Rule of Two
  • NCCP Emergency Action Plan

U15 - U17 Coach Requirements

  • Community Development (prerequisite)
  • Competitive Introduction
  • Making Ethical Decisions
  • Making Headway in Sport
  • Vulnerable Sector Police Check (VSS) (valid for 3 seasons)

Additional Required Training (if not already completed)

  • Understanding the Rule of Two
  • NCCP Emergency Action Plan
  • Safe Sport Training
  • Mental Health in Sport

Coaching Certification Courses

  • Coaches are encouraged to plan ahead
  • Arrive early to check in
  • $50 no-show fee for registered clinics
  • Course details will be emailed the Monday prior to the clinic

Virtual Classroom/On-Floor Hybrid Course (Two Parts - BOTH Required)

Part 1: Online - Community Development Core/Competition Introduction Core

  • Register at coach.ca
  • Camera required
  • Dates: TBA

Part 2: In-Person (On-Floor) Community Development/Competition Introduction  Technical/Tactical

  • Dates: TBA

Respect in Sport - Activity Leader

  • Required for U7-U13 coaches
  • Valid for 4 seasons
  • Must be linked to your NCCP number

How to Link RIS to Your NCCP Locker

  1. Log in or create an account at The Locker
  2. Add your NCCP number to your RIS profile
  3. Enable communication with NCCP in your profile settings

Important Update - Making Ethical Decisions (MED)

Effective 2026

The decision to transition Making Ethical Decisions (MED) from online learning to an exclusive eLearning format was made through an NCCP partnership, led by the Coaching Association of Canada, to standardize MED training across the country.

Effective April 1, 2026:

  • Coaches who require MED will complete the training through The Locker
  • Cost will be $85

Transition Period (2025):

  • SPAR will continue to offer the current online MED training until March 15
  • Cost during this period: $45
  • Coaches who complete the training must also complete the online evaluation by March 31 (free)
  • After March 31, the current online training and evaluation will no longer be available once the new eLearning is in place

Coaches are strongly encouraged to check their Locker profile and plan accordingly to avoid delays in certification.

Useful Links & Resources