The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), with the CDCA, launched a new National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) on April 1, 2004, which has a significant impact on how coaches are trained and developed in every community across Canada. With these changes, the NCCP is moving towards a competency-based approach where coaches are trained specifically in job tasks relevant to the athletes they coach and are evaluated on performances to a specified standard.

The CDCA and DPC have opted to present the two course areas together - technical and theory. The goal is to enhance understanding of the theory of our sport.

Overview of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP)

• The program is moving towards a competency-based approach where coaches are:
• Trained in NCCP outcomes relevant to the participants they coach;
• Evaluated by demonstrating coaching outcomes to a specified standard.
  
• The core competencies of coaching are valuing, interacting, leading, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These competencies will be woven throughout all NCCP training and evaluation activities.
  
• Competency-based education trains and certifies coaches based on proven abilities to do certain things deemed important to meet the needs of the participants they coach.
  
• The three streams of the NCCP are Community Sport, Competition, and Instruction.