What is a Coach?
As a Special Olympics coach you bring enthusiasm, commitment and a positive attitude to each practice, event and competition, enriching the lives of the athletes you meet. In return, you develop relationships with athletes who inspire you with their dedication, perseverance and courage. Coaches represent many different roles to many different people. Coaches are viewed as teachers, mentors, role models, and as leaders in the community in which they become involved. Coaches who contribute to the community have an enormous effect on the development of our youth, and participate in a great learning experience.
National Coaching Certification Program
SOO recommends that all coaches become certified in the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). The NCCP is specifically designed to train coaches to be able to meet the needs of the specific participants/athletes with whom they are working. Coaches will learn to plan safe and effective practices, design meaningful season plans, teach appropriate sport skills to athletes, and many other important aspects of coaching.
Head Coaches will be notified by e-mail when coaching courses are offered in Stratford or nearby. Dates and locations of these courses are also available on the SOO web site (www.specialolympicsontario.ca) under the drop down menu "What We Do", "Events Calendar", "Registration", "Coaching Courses".
The NCCP was launched in the early 1970s. Since that time, thousands of Special Olympics coaches have benefited from the program both by attending courses/workshops and by sharing experiences with others. The real beneficiaries are the thousands of Special Olympics athletes of varying abilities who have been provided with a positive sport experience by coaches in the NCCP.
The NCCP prepares coaches to:
- better meet the needs of all athletes in sport
- provide a positive sport experience to athletes
- provide opportunities for athletes to achieve their full potential in and through sport
The key developments that have been made to the NCCP include:
- Introduction to Competition A (previously referred to as National Coaching Level I): Ethical Coaching, Planning a Practice and Nutritional Advice
- Introduction to Competition B (previously referred to as National Coaching Level II): The modules covered in this course include: Developing a Basic Sport Program, Teaching and Learning, and Mental Preparation.
Other Suggested Courses
Sport First Aid
A 16-hour, practical, hands-on workshop aimed at educating community sport coaches and volunteers in the prevention, recognition, treatment, and response to injuries in sport. Participants will receive Red Cross First Aid and CPR certification with an emphasis on sports injuries.
Topics covered in the course include:
- planning for sport safety
- preventing injury through proper training
- preparing to help injured athletes
- your safety plan
- head and spine injuries
- injuries to soft tissue and bone
- First Aid and Level A (Heartsaver) CPR – St. John Ambulance
Course Fees
SOO - Stratford & Area believes that coach education and professional development are essential to provide quality sport programs. Therefore, we are committed to reimbursing registration fees when funds allow for coaching-related courses for registered volunteers who are actively coaching within SOO - Stratford & Area programs.