Coaching

Our Club relies on and benefits from participation of volunteer coaches. You do not need to be an expert skier to contribute as a coach. Anyone with an interest in sharing their love of skiing, wanting to participate in their child’s ski program, and with some competency on skis, both uphill and downhill is welcomed to our coaching roster.

Coaches are needed in Club programs ranging from preschool age to youth to adults in recreational and racing programs.

Training

The Club will pay for your participation in coach training courses, in return for your commitment to coach in a club program.

NCCP coaching courses include:

• Introduction to Community Coaching - An online training module to introduce coaching concepts and skills to coach children age 6 years and over. Step-by-step instructions

• Community Coaching - A 2 day on-snow module ... and necessary to coach children age 6-9. This in person training is scheduled for Jan 4-5, 2025 at Mount Washington.

• Learning to Train - Two weekend modules cover Dryland and On-Snow components; required to coach youth age 9-12.

• Training to Train - Two weekend modules cover Dryland and On-Snow components; required to coach youth age 12-16.

Full descriptions of coaching courses can be found here.

Ongoing Coach Refresher sessions are run on-snow during the winter, depending on head coach availability. These sessions are a great way to improve your own technique and teaching methods.

To register for coaching courses contact coaching@strathconanordics.com.

Coaching Philosophy

Our coaches follow the principles of the Long Term Athlete Development Model (LTAD).

The LTAD model is based on the physical, mental, emotional and cognitive development of children and adolescents. It is an inclusive concept that encourages all individuals to be involved in lifelong activity and articulates the need for all children, particularly those that have the capacity and interest to become elite athletes, to be given a solid foundation in physical, technical, tactical and mental capacities upon which to build their performance abilities.

Our primary focus is to promote the development of good people, and secondarily to develop athletic skills useful in the sport of Nordic skiing. Children and youth learn important life skills such as team work, perseverance, life-long physical activity and informed healthy lifestyle choices.

We ask all SNSC coaches to sign our Coaches Code of Conduct.

Coaching Resources

For more coaching resources head to our own “Coaching Corner” where resources are compiled.

Nordic Canada License Registration

Every coach that coaches for 7 or more hours per year needs a Nordiq Canada license. It’s free and only takes a few minutes to complete. This needs to be done every year - whether you are experienced or new coach. You will need your NCCP number to complete the registration. The registration for the Nordiq Canada license is completed through Zone4. Click the link HERE.

Criminal Record Check

All coaches working with youth 16 years and under must undergo a Criminal Record Check (CRC) every 3 years, to ensure the safety of our children and youth.

The CRC can now be done online. To complete this online process, please contact our Director of Coach Development, Chris Bowlby: coaching@strathconanordics.com to get the website and access code to complete your online CRC form.

Criminal Record Checks MUST be completed and submitted prior to the start of the ski season. Please do not be discouraged by the process! These are hoops everyone needs to jump through. Your participation is very much appreciated and valued by SNSC!

Junior Coaches (age 14-18 y)

Are you a current or former race team skier or a recreational skier, and also a high school student, who is interested in coaching Jackrabbits? If so, the Club can provide an honorarium depending on your level of experience. First year junior coaches will receive $17.40/hr, 2nd year coaches - $19.40/hr, 3rd year coaches: $21.40/hr. Please contact the SDP coordinator if you are interested!