Become a Coach
In the Canadian sport system, there is an officially recognized process for becoming a coach known as the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).
The NCCP gives coaches the knowledge, skills, and training they need to succeed. Designed for all types of coaches, the NCCP offers flexible pathways that lead to your preferred cycling coaching destination.
Watch a Video on the NCCP
Getting Started as a Cycling Coach
Whether you’re looking to work with cyclists at the community level, with a cycling club, Gran Fondo riders, or competitive athletes, there’s a coaching pathway for you. To begin your journey as a cycling coach, select the coaching role that best matches your coaching needs and follow the pathway for that role.
Coaching Roles and Pathways
Once you have chosen a coaching role and identified the pathway for that role, it’s time to get started by enrolling in an NCCP coaching course.
View Full-Size Pathway and Youth Coach Policy (revised April 3rd, 2021)
Continue reading the sections below to learn more about the different NCCP coaching streams, coach status, and courses.
NCCP Coaching Streams
The NCCP offers different coaching streams (contexts) based on the types of cyclists a coach wants to work with. Depending on their stage of progression, coaches in these streams may be referred to as,
In-Training – when they have completed some of the required training in the stream/context
Trained – when they have completed all required training in the stream/context
Certified – when they have completed all evaluation requirements in the stream/context
Community Coach and/or iRide Instructors
The Community context focuses on coaches who are working with participants outside of an organized club program – say, children under the age of 11 or adults taking up recreational cycling.
The role of a Community coach is to ensure a fun and safe environment and to teach the development of some of the skills and abilities for participants in the “Active Start” or “FUNdamentals” stage Long-Term Athlete Development.
Pre-Requisites:
- Cycling BC Membership
- Background Screening
- Cycling Foundations eLearning
- Emergency Action Plan eLearning
- Making Ethical Decisions & Online Quiz
Modules:
- Community Theory (aka Cycling Practice Planning)
- Basic Skills (aka Basic Cycling Skills)
As a result of completing the above modules, you will be classified as an NCCP Community “TRAINED” coach.
iRide Instructors undergo additional training that acts an addendum to the NCCP Community Coach pathway.
iRide Modules:
- iRide eLearning
- iRide Orientation
- iRide in-season mentorship
As a result of completing the above modules, you will be classified as a “CERTIFIED” iRide Instructor. The iRide Instructor Training program is limited only to official staff and registered after-school instructors. To learn more about this opportunity here.
Cost Breakdown (View)
Upcoming Modules (View)
Register Now (cyclingbc.net/coachreg)
Club Coach
Coaches working with Cycling BC youth club cyclists or adult riders participating in mass-start events should pursue the NCCP Competition-Introduction context. This comprehensive program is also designed for coaches of competitive masters racers and trade-team managers.
Club coaches help athletes in the “Learn to Train” and “Train to Train” stage of Long-Term Athlete Development develop an appreciation for training and a passion for self-improvement. Athletes range from young riders 10-16 years old to adult riders with 3-6 years of cycling experience.
The Club coach training program is split into 2 halves.
- If you want to learn how to teach skills and tactics, complete the first 3 modules.
- If you wish to learn how to manage a team, create yearly fitness plans, and fulfill the role of head coach, complete module #4, and submit your portfolio.
Pre-Requisites:
- Cycling BC Membership
- Background Screening
- Cycling Foundations eLearning
- Emergency Action Plan eLearning
- Making Ethical Decisions & Online Quiz
- Nutrition eLearning
Modules:
- Club Theory A* (aka Skills & Tactics Theory)
- Basic Skills (aka Basic Cycling Skills)
- Skills Modules (choose 1) (aka Skills & Tactics Practical)
- Club Theory B (aka Training to Race)
As a result of completing all of the above modules, you will be classified as an NCCP Competition-Introduction “TRAINED” coach. Coaches can choose 1 discipline-specific skills module, either Mountain Bike, Road, Track or BMX.
To pursue “CERTIFIED” status, submit a portfolio assessment, complete a 30-minute debrief phone call, followed by a short online quiz.
*As of March 11th, 2021, youth club leaders who wish to ONLY fulfill the role of an assistant coach can choose to attend EITHER Community Theory or Club Theory A, increasing access to participate in the Basic Skills and Club Skills modules.
Moreover, as of April 3rd, 2021, coaches with a previous coach or instructor certification may be able to access either a private observation or the official challenge process. Review Cycling BC’s youth coach policy document here.
Cost Breakdown (View)
Upcoming Modules (View)
Register Now (cyclingbc.net/coachreg)
Performance Coach
Coaches working with athletes competing at the provincial and national levels can pursue NCCP Competition-Development CERTIFIED status.
Modules:
- Performance Cycling Workshop*
- Multi-Sport (Find next offering OR try home study)
- Coaching & Leading Effectively
- Developing Athletic Abilities
- Prevention and Recovery
- Leading Drug-Free Sport + Quiz
- Psychology of Performance
- Managing Performance = TRAINED
- Coach Portfolio*
- Formal Observation (Training Event)*
- Formal Observation (Competition Event)*
- Make Ethical Decisions + Quiz
- Online Modules:
- Plan a Project*
- Manage a Program* = CERTIFIED
*Available through Cycling Canada.
Cost Breakdown (View)
Upcoming Modules (View)
Register Now (cyclingbc.net/coachreg)
Adult Club Ride Leader
Cycling BC adult members interested in leading recreational club rides can register for Cycling BC’s Ride Leader course to help create safer group riding experiences for their club.
This course is designed to meet the needs of Cycling BC’s recreational adult cycling clubs for both road and off-road activities.
The 1-day module discusses:
- Theory
- Club Culture & Why Statements
- Route Planning & Pre-Ride Briefing
- Insurance, Liability, & Risk Management
- Emergency Scenarios & Action Plans
- Traffic Safety & Road Hazards
- Group Riding Etiquette
- Group Riding Formations
- Practical
- 2-4 hours Outdoor Practice Ride
Cost Breakdown (View)
Upcoming Modules (View)
Register Now (cyclingbc.net/coachreg)
Questions?
For more information or if you have any questions about the NCCP coaching pathway, please check out our coaching FAQ page or contact us at any time.