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 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 Instructor or 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 path for that role.
Coaching Roles and Pathways
Once you have chosen a leadership role and identified the pathway for that role, it’s time to start by registering for an NCCP module.
Please continue reading below to learn more about each coach training program, SafeSport policies, and additional services.
Download Cycling BC’s 2022 SafeSport & Coach Excellence Policy
Adult Ride Leader Training
Cycling BC members 19 years and older may participate in our Ride Leader Training module and pursue certified status.
We recommend this 1-day module for all adult clubs and members participating in group riding activities (road or dirt). This module helps your club facilitate a club culture and plan safe group activities. Participants work through an interactive journal during a 2.5-hour ZOOM call, followed by an afternoon outdoor ride with our facilitator.
To achieve certification, participants must submit their journal, including an emergency action plan and the short online quiz, within seven days of the training module. We also recommend that leaders complete a basic 1-day First Aid course.
This module matches the goals of the NCCP Community Participation context where leaders help participants in the Active For Life stage of Long-Term Development engage in meaningful social and recreational pursuits.
Topics include:
- 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
iRide Instructors
Cycling BC members 14 years and older may participate in our 30-hour iRide Instructor pathway, including NCCP Community Coach Training.
The NCCP Community Initiation context is designed for leaders working with participants under 11 and outside of organized club programs. Leaders use age-appropriate game-based activities to help pattern beginner and intermediate cycling skills for participants in the Active Start and FUNdamentals stage of Long-Term Development.
To achieve certification, iRide instructors must complete additional training, including SafeSport pre-requisites. Once certified, additional mentorship is included throughout the season by weekly calls and monthly in-person observations. iRide instructor training is heavily discounted and available only to official staff and registered after-school instructors. Learn how to become an iRide Instructor here.
Modules:
- Community Theory*
- Basic Skills
- iRide eLearning & Orientation
View upcoming iRide Instructor modules.
*Unofficial title for advertising purposes. Download an interactive report card to track your progress!
Club Assistant Coach
Cycling BC members 15 years and older may participate in the 35-hour Club Assistant Coach pathway, including NCCP Competition-Introduction Coach Training.
The NCCP Competition-Introduction context is for leaders working with youth club athletes before the growth spurt or adult riders with 1-3 years of cycling experience. Leaders help participants in the Learn to Train stage of Long-Term Development learn intermediate sport-specific skills, develop an appreciation for training, and reinforce the importance of flexibility, leg speed, and manoeuvrability.
The Club Assistant Coach pathway is for leaders who wish to attend or lead youth club practices or adult skill development Learn to Ride/Race clinics:
Modules:
- Club Theory A*
- Basic Skills
- Club Skills (choose one sport: Road, Track, BMX, Mtn. Bike)
View upcoming Club Assistant Coach modules.
*Unofficial title for advertising purposes. Download an interactive report card to track your progress!
Club Head Coach
Cycling BC members 15 years and older may participate in the 50-hour Club Head Coach pathway, including NCCP Competition-Introduction Coach Training.
The NCCP Competition-Introduction context is for leaders working with youth club athletes during the growth spurt or adult riders with 3-6 years of cycling experience. Leaders help participants in the Train to Train stage of Long-Term Development learn advanced sport-specific skills, pattern comprehensive training habits, and reinforce the importance of aerobic conditioning, social connection, and mental health.
The Club Head Coach pathway is for leaders who lead youth club programs, manage trade teams, or operate a private coaching business focusing on adult fitness and skill development.
Modules:
- Club Assistant Coach status
- Club Theory B*
- Evaluation
View upcoming Club Head Coach modules.
*Unofficial title for advertising purposes. Download an interactive report card to track your progress!
Performance Coach
Cycling BC members 18 years and older may participate in the 80-hour Performance Coach pathway, including NCCP Competition-Development Coach Training.
The NCCP Competition-Development context is for leaders working with provincial and national team athletes pursuing cycling as their primary vocation. Leaders help participants in the Train to Compete and Train to Win stage of Long-Term Development master advanced sport-specific skills, develop healthy travel habits, and reinforce the importance of team building, work/life balance, and goal-oriented preparation.
The Performance Coach pathway is for leaders who support and lead provincial team projects, or manage national trade teams and beyond.
Modules:
- Comp-Dev Multi-Sport Modules
- Performance Theory*
- Evaluation
View upcoming Performance Coach modules.
*Unofficial title for advertising purposes. Download an interactive report card to track your progress!
SafeSport & Coach Excellence Policy
Cycling BC acknowledges and adheres to the British Columbia Universal Code of Conduct (BC UCC).
Program leaders in good standing abide by the Coaching Association of Canada’s Responsible Coaching Movement and Cycling BC’s Coach Excellence Policy.
The following section outlines our expectations. Additional information is available on our SafeSport page.
Leaders working with U19 participants
Effective April 1st, 2021:
Cycling BC requires all youth clubs and teams to employ at a minimum:
- 1 NCCP-certified Club or Performance coach fulfilling the position of Club Head Coach.
- All assistant coaches attending and leading practices must complete all SafeSport pre-requisites, Club Theory A, Basic Skills and a sport-specific Club Skills module pertinent to their role at the club (e.g., road assistant coach completes Road Skills).
We also recommend that all coaches who lead a particular age group (e.g., U13 head club coach) complete Club Theory B and achieve certified status.
Effective April 1st, 2022:
All leaders working with athletes under the age of 19 require a Cycling BC membership in good standing, a background screening (anyone 12+ years old), and ethics training that includes:
- Making Ethical Decisions & Quiz
- Safe Sport eLearning
- Commit to Kids eLearning
eLearning modules are available on-demand and must be completed before April 1st. Learn more about SafeSport.
Leaders requiring financial aid to complete this training can contact Cycling BC to access additional support.
Leaders working with +19 participants
Effective April 1st, 2021:
Cycling BC recommends adult clubs and their members participate in our Ride Leader training module.
- This module helps your club facilitate a club culture and plan safe group activities.
- Participants work through an interactive journal during a 2.5-hour ZOOM call, followed by an afternoon outdoor ride with our facilitator.
- To achieve certification, participants must submit their journal, including an emergency action plan and the short online quiz, within seven days of the training module.
- We also recommend that leaders complete a basic 1-day First Aid course.
Effective April 1st, 2022:
All leaders leading Learn-to-Ride/Race skills development clinics in British Columbia require NCCP Club Assistant Coach status.
- Club Assistant Coach status includes all SafeSport pre-requisites, Club Theory A, Basic Skills and one Club Skills module pertinent to their cycle sport. For example, leaders wishing to facilitate Road clinics must complete the Road Skills module.
- This new policy aims to help our coaching community work towards a standardized adult skill curriculum that creates a safer, more welcoming introduction to cycling and cycling in a group.
- Experienced coaches and PMBIA certified instructors can explore the additional opportunities in the following section.
Provisions For Special Applicants
Schedule a call with Cycling BC to learn more about any of the below opportunities.
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 Theory Home Study
Cycling BC members with a history in cycling and who cannot attend the regularly scheduled Club Theory A and B modules may apply to our Home Study program. Cycling BC retains the right to decline an application.
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. ($250)