Become a Coach

Leaders working with U19 participants

Cycling BC requires all youth clubs and teams to employ, at a minimum:

• 1 NCCP Club-certified (GREEN) or Performance-certified (BLUE) coach fulfilling the Head Coach or Club/Team Advisor. This person mentors Club Assistants and facilitates a healthy club/team culture.
• All coaches and instructors leading practices must have at least a Club Assistant (YELLOW) certificate.

Leaders working with athletes of any age require a Cycling BC membership, a background screening (anyone 12+ years old), and ethics training pertinent to the athlete’s age:

• Making Ethical Decisions & Quiz (RED and beyond)
• Commit to Kids (GREEN)*
• Safe Sport (WHITE, BLUE, BLACK)

Parents attending youth activities to support optimal adult: child ratios, and the Rule of Two, are required to register as a Cycling BC Chaperone (WHITE).

Leaders working with +19 participants

Cycling BC requires all instructors facilitating sanctioned Learn-to-Ride/Race clinics to hold a Club Assistant (YELLOW) certificate.

• Club Assistant status includes one cycling coach theory module, 2 outdoor sessions, and numerous micro-eLearnings.
• This new policy helps our coaching community work towards a standardized learn-to-ride and race curriculum and create safer, more welcoming introductions to cycling and cycling in a group.

Cycling BC recommends adult club members complete our Ride Leader training (MAROON) program.

• This module helps cultivate a guiding club vision and plan safe group activities.
• The module includes a zoom theory call, an outdoor ride, and a reflective journal.
• We also recommend ride leaders complete an introductory 1-day First Aid course.

Certified Professional Mtn. Bike Instructors (PMBIA): Leaders with recognized PMBIA certifications may forgo the NCCP outdoor teaching modules and attend or lead club practices or learn-to-ride/race clinics as a Club Assistant Coach (YELLOW). Learn more about Cycling BC’s partnership agreement with the PMBIA.

Module Audit: To foster mentorship opportunities, certified Club coaches and ride leaders may return to repeat any previous module or an outstanding Club Skills module, free of charge. If spots are still available, registration opens seven days before an event. Request a discount code via email.

Club Coach Home Study: Cycling BC members with a history of cycling who cannot attend the regularly scheduled theory modules (Cycling Practice Planning, Skills and Tactics Theory, Training to Race) may apply to Cycling BC’s Home Study program. Cycling BC retains the right to decline an application. Contact Cycling BC to apply. This program is available only until September 1st, 2024 and must be completed by September 30th, 2024. As of October 1st, 2024, Cycling Canada facilitates all NCCP theory modules. 

Club Coach Challenge: Leaders with NCCP education from another sport, including NCCP multi-sport modules or international coach education, may apply to CHALLENGE the pathway. Cycling Canada retains the right to decline an applicant’s request to pursue the challenge process. A challenge costs $250 to $335 and includes:

• Making Ethical Decisions Quiz ($85)
• Submit portfolio and pass online quiz & debrief call ($250)

Leaders with YELLOW status by way of PMBIA certification who wish to pursue the GREEN certificate must do so by officially challenging. Alternatively, attend the outdoor NCCP modules for mentorship purposes (free of charge), and the final theory module, Training to Race. Evaluation includes an online quiz and submitting and debriefing your written portfolio with Cycling Canada.

Once you have completed your preferred Cycling BC education pathway, it’s time to explore ways to master skills and abilities relevant to your interests and maintain your coaching credentials in fun and learner-centred ways.

There are many choices available. You can participate in our Certified Coach Mentorship program (under development) and pursue mastery as an instructor, trainer, mentor, or manager. In addition, you can apply for Chartered Professional Coach status, enroll in the NCCP’s Advanced Coach Diploma, or pursue graduate studies at the University of British Columbia.

Schedule a call to chart the next step in your coaching journey.

• On-Demand Professional Development: Attend standalone NCCP eLearning modules like ‘Mental Health in Sport.’ View all.
• Chartered Professional Coach: Apply for ChPC accreditation in your LOCKER profile. NCCP Performance Head (BLUE) status is required (Comp-Dev certified).
• Self-Directed Reading: Pursue a topic of interest and submit a 750-word reflective academic paper (APA 7 Style).

Facilitated Professional Development:

• Attend NCCP multi-sport modules
• Audit a different NCCP outdoor module
• Become a Learn to Ride/Race instructor
• Become a HopOn Instructor (ORANGE)
• Pursue NCCP Coach Developer status (Cycling BC nomination required) (BLACK)
• Complete PMBIA’s eLearning re-certification (every three years) or attend other modules like Adaptive Mtn. Bike

Advanced Coach Diploma: This 2-year part-time program is available for ‘trained’ (all modules complete) and ‘certified’ Performance (BLUE) coaches. It prepares you to operate in the Sport for Life’s Podium Pathway at the national and international levels. Two cohorts begin the diploma each calendar year. The Spring Cohort starts in March (application deadline January 31) and September (application deadline June 30).  ~$4000 CDN

Graduate Studies @ UBC: This 3-year flexible and blending learning program is available for Performance Head (BLUE) coaches (Comp-Dev certified) and five years of coaching or athletic experience in the podium pathway. Students complete a one-year HPCTL graduate certificate (~$7,000), followed by two years of graduate course work for the MHPCTL master’s degree (~$16,000)