Optimize your Coaching skills

In order for NCCP Instructors and Coaches to maintain their current certified status, they will be required to obtain Professional Development (PD) points. PD points can be earned through a multitude of activities in which Coaches already participate, including national and provincial sport organization conferences and workshops, e-learning modules, NCCP workshops, coach mentorship programs and active coaching. In most cases, Coaches are already earning their required PD points; maintenance of certification status is simply the introduction of tracking these points and recognizing Coaches for their efforts.

Maintenance of certification is essential to:

• Ensure Instructors and Coaches stay current with new coaching practices and knowledge;
• Maintain the integrity of the NCCP;
• Maintain consistency with the standards of other professions; and,
• Reinforce the values of lifelong learning and continuous improvement.

Certification within the NCCP is valid for five (5) years beginning the next calendar year after the date of certification. Maintenance of certification must be based on active coaching and professional development.

The following renewal requirements must be completed annually:

• Hold and maintain an annual EC Sport Licence and Coach Status
• Hold an annual PTSO membership (Ontario Equestrian)
• Maintain Active status in the ECampus and NCCP Locker by submitting required PD points to the ECampus and completing any required training.

Any required courses completed through the ECampus or NCCP Locker are awarded Professional Development points. Additional courses completed in multi-sport or Equestrian environments can be submitted to your ECampus account for additional Professional Development points. In a 5 year cycle, coaches must earn the following number of PD points:
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Certification                                 PD Points per 5 year cycle
Instructor                                     10
Competition Coach                     20
Competition Coach Specialist   20
Competition Development (HP1)  30

To submit professional development updating hours, use the Professional Development Updating Form
For more information, review the Professional Development Activity Guide

As part of the five-year Coach Status implementation, Licensed Coach Status is now required for coaching at all EC-sanctioned events. Your Coach Status is purchased through Equestrian Canada with your Sport License. Recognizing that some coaches have not yet completed their EC Coach Status requirements, a Temporary Coach Status can be purchased for events during the show season.

Login to your Equestrian Canada MyEC account to add a Temporary Coach Status for an upcoming competition.

EC/NCCP Certified coaches can be trained to evaluate rider levels by attending Rider Level Evaluator training clinics or by shadowing a rider level evaluator mentor during evaluations.  Look for Rider Level Evaluator training on the Events Calendar or contact Ontario Equestrian for recommendations of local rider level evaluator mentors to shadow at upcoming evaluations.

There are several places a coach can find training to improve and add to their skills.  Ontario Equestrian offers clinics and both online and in person training opportunities through the ECampus.  You can also attend multisport coach training offered by the Coaches Association of Ontario through their calendar. Equestrian Canada offers ELearning modules that can be taken through the ECampus at any time to add to your skillset.

The Locker is the Coach Association of Canada’s central database where all NCCP coaches can access, manage, and maintain coach training and records.

The Locker maintains the records of a growing community of over 2 million coaches certified with the National Coaches Certification Program (NCCP).
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The Locker is also where Ontario Equestrian and Equestrian Canada confirm your completed training and coaching certifications. You can access your Locker account at: https://thelocker.coach.ca/