Did you know that September 22-30, 2018 is National Coaches Week? This is a time to celebrate the positive impact that coaches have on athletes and communities across Canada. This week is an opportunity to recognize coaches for the integral role they play by saying #ThanksCoach!

As a part of this special week the Coaching Association of Canada is saying #ThanksCoach by offering three free NCCP online training modules. These are all valuable resources for coaches to take advantage of – don’t miss out on the chance to earn Professional Development points (five per module) towards recertification.

The modules being offered to coaches cover different areas of sport:

Making Head Way - Concussion eLearning Series

• Gain the knowledge and skills required to ensure the safety of your athletes
• Assist in identification of concussions and head injuries
• Developed with the help of medical experts to offer safest ways to spot and respond to someone you think may be concussed

Coaching Athletes with a Disability

• Explain the benefits of sport participation for persons with a disability
• Communicate effectively and respectfully with, and regards to, persons with a disability
• Design positive, safe, and inclusive sport experiences for persons with a disability
• Consider next steps in their professional development related to coaching persons with a disability

Coach Initiation in Sport

• Parents new to coaching
• New coaches
• Experienced coaches new to the NCCP
• Athletes transitioning to coaching
• Experienced NCCP coaches who need professional development, or a refresh on the fundamental principles of the NCCP
• Sport administrators who work with the NCCP and coach development

Hockey Canada’s National Coach Certification Program is a competency-based program. The program enables coaches to build their coaching tools and knowledge of the game, so they can work effectively with their players.

These modules are just a few of the resources that coaches can use to help increase their knowledge of the sport. For those who prefer to learn visually, the Video Coach series breaks down real game clips to explain step by step tactics, strategy and key skills. The drills in the Chalk Talk series put players in situations that they will encounter in games giving them the opportunity to create, problem-solve, and use the concepts they have learned in practice. Coaches can also take advantage of the Coaching Resources page which offers programs like the Hockey Canada Network and other tools.