Why is the Baseball Canada NCCP pathway changing?
Baseball Canada is always looking at getting better at providing coaches with up to date material that is relevant to the needs of the athletes. This revised pathway will bring more clarity to the baseball community in general with coaching contexts linked to the different age groups coaches operate in. The pathway will also incorporate blended learning with is a mix of e-Learning, in-person clinics and the use of other technological means.
What is the Transfer Plan?
Coaches will NOT lose anything with this transfer. Once the new pathway launched in January 2021, your status will be automatically transferred into the new pathway as shown below. You don’t have to do anything.
When will it take effect?
This will take effect on January 1st, 2021.
Does every certified coach need SAFE SPORT to maintain their certification?
Yes. If you currently have a certified status (regardless of the context), you will be asked to complete the FREE Safe Sport e-Learning as developed by CAC. Only certified coaches need to take the online module to maintain their certification. Trained coaches will only have to complete it if they wish to pursue certification.
Provinces may decide to mandate in-training or trained coaches to complete this module. Please check your provincial and local requirements.
How is this new pathway impacting Competition Development connect ?
Competition Development will not change. However, Baseball Canada will continue to invest in the revision of the content. Finally, for all coaches wishing to maintain their certification at this level, will need to complete the Safe Sport e-Learning.
What is the main change with the terminology?
Baseball Canada will no longer use the Regional Coach and Provincial Coach terminology with this new pathway. The actual age group used in baseball will be used as well as community sport program we currently have in place. Refer to new pathway for the various terms being used that will be reflected in the different coaches’ statuses.
Where does the new My First Pitch e-Learning fit in the new pathway ?
The newest of the Baseball Canada e-Learning, My First Pitch, can be taken by any coach at any level but will now be included in the 11U pathway. For coaches being transferred to the 11U Coach, the My First Pitch e-Learning will be available for free.
Maintenance of Certification Cycle
This is a major change with this new pathway. The maintenance of certification cycle of 3 years will now become a 5 year cycle meaning that coaches will now have to accumulate 20 PD points over 5 years for Competition Introduction Context (13U Coach, 15U Coach and 16+ Coach) and 30 points over 5 years for Competition Development Coach.
Non renewed coaches
As of January 1st, 2021, ALL certified coaches (renewed or NOT) will become certified. They will have the next 5 years to accumulate the necessary PD points to maintain their certification.
Portfolios
Changes will be made to portfolio content. Coaches will see more up to date content that is more relevant to their coaching context. Coaches that are currently engaged in their portfolio evaluation will be invited to complete it prior to December 31st, 2020. If not completed they will need to begin their certification process with the new version of the portfolios.
Practice and game evaluations
The practice and game evaluation are still part of the certification requirements depending on the context. There will be no impact on the coach’s transfer. Coaches who have paid their evaluation but have not completed it prior to December 31st, will be able to complete it at any time after.
How do I start my training as a baseball coach?
All coach training by Baseball Canada is now started through an on-line module at http://nccp.baseball.ca. Just type this URL into your computer address line. This site was developed by Baseball Canada as part of the Initiation Coach program. It is an inter-active self-directed training tool that you complete at your own pace and convenience. It costs $37.45 (including taxes) and gives you access to on-line video drills, materials, practice plans and skill development tools in an easy to follow format. You continue to have access to the site after completing the on-line portion of the entry course. The focus of this module is on the 'What to Coach?' side of coaching. Once you complete the course you will be given a choice of workshops where the focus will be on the \"How to Coach?\" side.
My kids are starting baseball and I want to start coaching at the entry level with my local association. How do I find the programs and training I need?
An important part of the entry level coach training program is the Rally Cap program introduced by Baseball Canada. It is part of the Initiation Coach program. The Initiation Coach is geared towards a coach who is entering the system with their children and will be coaching kids in a community or recreational setting. It stresses FUNdamental skill development with the emphasis on FUN. Entry to the training for this program and to Initiation Coach is through http://nccp.baseball.ca . Just type this URL you're your computer address line. Additional information on Rally Cap can be found through the provincial baseball association.
I want to become involved in coaching rep (travel) teams in my community. How do I start my training and what do I need?
All coach training by Baseball Canada is now started through an on-line module at http://nccp.baseball.ca . This site was developed by Baseball Canada as part of the Initiation Coach program and is also being used as part of the new 13U, 15U or 16+ Coach (competitive coaching stream that you want to enter). It is an inter-active self-directed training tool that you complete at your own pace and convenience. It costs $37.45 (including taxes) and gives you access to on-line video drills, materials, practice plans and skill development tools in an easy to follow format. You continue to have access to the site after completing the on-line portion of the entry course. The focus of this module is on the 'What to Coach?' side of coaching. Once you complete the course you will be given a choice of workshops where the focus will be on the \"How to Coach?\" side.
How do I check my certification and registration in the Coaching Association database?
If you know your NCCP (or CC) number, go to www.coach.ca. Click on your language of choice, and then click on the 'Check Certification' icon. Once you've entered your name and NCCP number, you can view your transcript (and print off a copy if you wish). If you do not know your CC number, send an email to your provincial baseball association and they will track down your number. Remember it takes 2-3 months after a course for the data to be entered. If you need confirmation in the meantime, your PSO now retains course register forms and we can confirm that you have taken the courses listed.
I already have coaching certification. What will happen to my certification under the new NCCP system? Will I have to take all my training again?
Existing coaching certification will be transferred into the new system. If you meet the certification levels required today, you will continue to meet these requirements for the foreseeable future. If you don't have any technical courses, you enter the system as a new coach and start with the on-line self-directed module at http://nccp.baseball.ca .
What will I have to do to maintain my certification?
The coach training and courses already taken by coaches will continue to be part of the system. However, certification is now a renewable process. Previously somebody who took courses and achieved certain certification levels continued to hold that level forever, whether they actively coached or not, whether they were competent or not. A feature of the new NCCP is that Baseball Canada will renew the certification status of coaches every 5 years (20 points for Competition - Introduction and 30 points for Competition - Development) upon the confirmation that the coach is actively coaching at that level / context and the coach has continued to take some continuing coaching education (such as attendance at regional conferences, coaching sessions or other development activities). Coaches who let their certification lapse will be able to re-enter the system by meeting certain criteria - such as a refresher session or update (may be on-line, or may be an update evaluation). If you continue to actively coach and attend an update sessions, you will maintain your certification.
I hear the discussion of 'In Training', 'Trained' and 'Certified'. What do these mean to me?
A feature of the new system is that the old status of 'Certified' is taking on a new meaning. Coaches will progress through different stages for each context in which they coach. The new system designates a coach as 'In Training' for a context when he enters the system and starts taking the units, then when the coach finishes the required modules that apply to that context they are designated as 'Trained'. To become 'Certified' then a coach goes through an evaluation process that will include completion of a Making Ethical Decisions module and testing (done completely on-line inter-actively), a review of a Coaching Portfolio or Workbook that you maintain and an observation session with a trained evaluator at a practice and/or competition.
Do I have to be 'Certified'?
You should be aware that certification is not necessarily required for some coaching contexts. For example, the Initiation Coach program only requires that you be 'Trained' or 'In Training'. There is no requirement for evaluation (or 'Certification') for this context. As a matter of fact, most associations do not have a mandatory requirement for any training for their entry level programs. For some of the lower levels, it may only be required that you are 'In Training' or 'Trained' depending on the age level and the program.