Coaching

Coaching Course Descriptions

Club Coach

The Club Coach program is a 15-hour (two-day) workshop designed to enhance the skill set of Instructors who function predominantly at the club level. The Club Coach will be competent in training curlers from youth to masters, with skill levels of beginner to intermediate. The Club Coach is able to instruct novice (Learn to Curl) and intermediate clinics.

Minimum age requirement – 14 years old.

Club Coach – Trained

Successfully complete two-day workshop.

Club Coach Youth

Club Coach Youth is a 7-hour (one-day) workshop designed to enhance the skill set of Instructors who function at the club level and work predominantly with youth curlers. Club Coach Youth instructors generally function in a program rather than a team environment, and typically work with U9, U12, and U15 curlers.

Minimum Age Requirement: 14 years.

Competition Coach

Training is delivered in two parts – Online Learning and an In-Person day.

1. On-demand, Online Learning – learn.curling.ca

You’ll start your Competition Coach journey by taking our comprehensive online training modules which will prepare you for the in-person Competition Coach training.

By training online, ahead of time – you can learn on your schedule and at your own speed.

The Online Learning Courses for the Competition Coach program are:

Getting Started as a NCCP Curling Coach

Competition Coach

Both are housed on Curling Canada’s E-learning platform – learn.curling.ca

REGISTER FOR ONLINE COURSES HERE:

https://canada.curling.io/en/products/9791-competition-coach-online-training

Fee: $125.00 (taxes included)

2. In-Person Training

When you’ve completed online learning, you’ll be ready to attend a one-day In-Person Training hosted by your Member Association.

You’ll get to apply the skills you’ve learned online – really focusing on delivery, brushing, skill analysis and practice planning. You’ll gain experience coaching under the guidance of trained learning facilitators.

Please consult our course schedule for in-person training opportunities: Course Schedule

Fee: $275.00 (taxes and Competition Coach Evaluation fee included)

3. Evaluation

Coaches will need to complete a written practice plan and have an NCCP Coach Evaluator observe the implementation of that practice.

When combined with the Make Ethical Decisions Online Evaluation, the coach will be considered a Certified Competition Coach.

Competition Coach – Trained

Successfully complete online modules via learn.curling.ca
Complete one-day in-person training
Make Ethical Decisions (MED) Online Evaluation – Competition Introduction

Competition Coach – Certified

Successfully complete online modules via learn.curling.ca
Complete one-day in-person training
Make Ethical Decisions (MED) Online Evaluation – Competition Introduction
Submission of Plan a Practice and Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to Curling Alberta
On-Ice Evaluation

Competition Development Coach

Competition Development is a comprehensive course that is designed to assist coaches in taking their teams to the next level of competitive play (eg: provincial, national or international). It is recommended that coaches are working with teams that are “Training to Compete.” The workshop encompasses planning, strategy, analysis and program management to better your team’s performance. The prerequisite for the Competition Development workshop is Level 2 Certified in the old system or Competition Coach Certified.

Competition Development Coach – Certified

Successfully complete four-day workshop
Complete two observation evaluations (a practice and a competitive environment)
Five webinars on material not covered in the four-day workshop
Competition Development Make Ethical Decision (MED) Online Evaluation
Complete four competition development multi-sport modules: Managing Conflict, Coaching and Leading Effectively, Psychology of Performance and Leading Drug Free Sport

The program will take approximately 14 months to complete, as it requires writing, implementing, executing, and debriefing an annual plan.

Make Ethical Decisions

MED (Make Ethical Decisions) Multi-Sport 3 Hour Module

The cost for the MED Multi-sport three-hour module offered by Curling Alberta is $45.00. When you have completed the Module – Curling Alberta will forward your information to Curling Canada for input into the national database (The Locker). This will, in turn, allow you to take your MED Online Evaluation at no cost. There may be a one to two-week processing period after you have taken the MED Multi-Sport Module before you will be able to complete your MED Online Evaluation.

Online MED Evaluation

It is not mandatory to take the Multi-sport module to complete the MED Online Evaluation.
The fee for taking the on-line MED evaluation is $85 (unless you take the Curling Alberta’s MED multi-sport module, in which the on-line evaluation is free).
To register, visit coach.ca.
- You must have your NCCP # (previously CC#) as well as a password to complete the evaluation.
  - Not sure of your NCCP#? Search for it here: https://thelocker.coach.ca.
- If you are unsuccessful after two attempts, it is mandatory you take the Multi-sport three-hour module “Make Ethical Decisions” provided by Curling Alberta or the provincial government at a cost of $45. You would then be required to retake the MED Online Evaluation (at no charge).

Coaching Requirements

All coaches must be at least 21 years of age ( Exception for U15 -Coaches must be at least 18 years of age, If a coach is less than 21 years old, he/she must provide two favorable letters of reference if requested.)

Coaches for U15, U18, U20 and U21 Mixed Doubles teams must have a Police Record Check on file with Curling Alberta. Criminal Record Checks expire with our organization in three years. For example, if your check was completed prior to Sept 2022, you are required to submit a new one for this curling season (2025-26). To complete your Criminal Record Check online, visit myBackCheck.com.

Curling Alberta will require at least one parent/guardian of each player under 18 years of age to have completed the on-line Safe Sport Program in order for the minor to participate in any sanctioned event. More details here.

All Coaches should review the competition policies, Competitor’s Guide and related event Appendix. Click here. See page 4 of the Competitor’s Guide for competition specific coaching criteria.

SAFE SPORT TRAINING MODULE

The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) offers a free, 90-minute eLearning module that will give coaches the knowledge to recognize, address, and prevent maltreatment in sport and includes tools and resources to help embed Safe Sport principles throughout Curling Alberta and teams. Learn more about Safe Sport Training from the CAC at their new dedicated microsite or access the module directly in the Locker.

National Championships

Visit Curling Canada’s Become a Coach webpage for details.

What do I need to coach at the Games?

Alberta Winter Games:

Coaches must be Competition Coach certified for the Alberta Winter Games, including Safe Sport certification and a Criminal Record check (both within the last 3 years)
For the Alberta Winter Games qualifiers, however, coaches must meet U15 coach qualifications. This includes Safe Sport certification and a Criminal Record Check, but coaches will not require Competition Coach certification unless qualified for the Alberta Winter Games. It is recommended to become certified in advance of the qualifiers, to avoid a rush to become certified between the qualifier and the Alberta Winter Games.

Arctic Winter Games:

Coaches are encouraged to be Competition Coach Certified as recognized by Curling Alberta and the Coaching Association of Canada. However, this is not a requirement for the Arctic Winter Games Curling Competition.
Criminal Record Check
Online Safe Sport Program

Canada Winter Games:

Competition Development Coach Certified OR Competition Coach Certified (Competition Introduction) with specialized Canada Winter Games Professional Development Module