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Coaching Requirements

Coaches in Alberta have access to a wide variety of clinics and training opportunities to help develop their skills as teachers and instructors of players of all ages across the province.

Upcoming Coach Clinics ›

To register for clinics and view qualifications, coaches need to complete the HCR (Hockey Canada Registry) registration process.

Please see HCR tab below.

2023-24 Coaching Requirements - Must be completed by November 15, 2023.

Hockey Alberta

NCCP CLINICS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THE 2023-24 SEASON. CLINICS FOR THE 2024-25 SEASON WILL OPEN FOR REGISTRATION IN SEPTEMBER 2024.

To register for clinics and view qualifications, coaches need to complete the following three-step process:

Step 1: Create an HCR 3.0 account, by clicking on the link below and following the instructions.

Create an HCR 3.0 Account ›

Step 2: Once your new account has been created, you need to link it so that your previous records transfer to your new account.

Link Account >

Step 3: Register for your clinic (through the "Upcoming Coach Clinics" button below).

Required coaching courses are hosted across the province, beginning in September, and ending November 15.
Upcoming Coach Clinics ›  | View Your Coach Qualifications >

Coaches will be given the tools to teach hockey’s basic skills while keeping the theme of practices on fun and fundamentals. Clinic topics include leadership, communication, teaching skills, and lesson planning. All of this is taught with special considerations of our youngest athletes in mind.

STEP 1: *HU-ONLINE Coach 1/Coach 2 ($33 + GST)

  • 12-module online course that takes approximately 4 hours, and covers the coaching foundation building blocks.
  • Once registration is complete, coaches can enroll in the appropriate in-person clinic relevant to their coaching requirements (Coach 1 or Coach 2). When attending the in-person, it is assumed coaches know the knowledge from this online course.
  • Link to HU-ONLINE Coach 1&2

STEP 2: In-Person Coach 1 - Intro to Coach ($22 + GST)

  • Four hours classroom followed by 1.5 hours on-ice.
  • Hosted from the middle of September until November 15 (requirement deadline for coaches).
  • Coaches will learn skill development, skill progressions, practice delivery and resource utilization in this practical learning and sharing environment.

AVAILABLE COACH 1 CLINICS >

This course emphasizes the basic skills and importance of having players develop confidence, self esteem and a love for the game. Coaches will be given an introduction to player development, coach knowledge, tools to effectively communicate with athletes and parents, and how to support the athlete in the team, training, practice and game environment.

STEP 1: *HU-ONLINE Coach 1/Coach 2 ($33 + GST)

  • 12-module online course that takes approximately 4 hours, and covers the coaching foundation building blocks.
  • Once registration is complete, coaches can enroll in the appropriate in-person clinic relevant to their coaching requirements (Coach 1 or Coach 2). When attending the in-person, it is assumed coaches know the knowledge from this online course.
  • Link to HU-ONLINE Coach 1&2

STEP 2: In-Person Coach 2 - Coach Level ($136 + GST)

  • Four hours classroom followed by 1.5 hours on-ice.
  • Hosted from middle of September until November 15 (requirement deadline for coaches).
  • Coaches will learn skill development, skill progressions, practice delivery and resource utilization in this practical learning and sharing environment.

AVAILABLE COACH 2 CLINICS >

This course will cover the basic tools to teach Checking skill acquisition. This includes the four skills of checking (tactical skating, body positioning, angling and stick checks) contact confidence, checking safety, checking skills drills, roles and responsibilities of the coach and players. An emphasis is placed on the basic checking skills, and the importance of having players develop confidence, respect and an awareness of the checking process.

STEP 1: *HU- ONLINE Checking ($22 + GST)

  • Six module online course that takes approximately 1.5 hours.
  • Once registration is complete, coaches can enroll in the in-person clinic. When attending the in-person, it is assumed coaches know the knowledge from this online course.
  • Link to HU-ONLINE Checking Skills

STEP 2: In-Person *COACH-INSTRUCTIONAL STREAM Checking Skills ($116 + GST)

  • Two hours classroom followed by 1.5 hours on-ice.
  • Registration link found under "Instructional Stream" category.
  • Hosted from the middle of September until November 15 (requirement deadline for coaches).

AVAILABLE CHECKING SKILLS CLINICS >

This four hour online program is an introduction to team safety, injury recognition, fair play code and code of ethics, safety at the rink, injury management and the Emergency Action Plan. The teams Safety Person will gain the information and confidence needed to be the go-to-person on your team for health, wellness, injury recognition, safe and proper recovery and Return to Play procedures. 

  • This training is valid for three seasons from the date of completion (expiring on September 1). Once expired, one must re-take the online course, or apply for Level 2 status (with appropriate qualifications).

Register for Online Safety >

Safety - Level 2

Those who have completed the Safety Program Online, and are a minimum of Standard First Aid, or Medical Professionals are eligible. Safety - Level 2 grants a maximum of an additional three years onto the initial expiry date from the Safety course. The new expiry date is relevant to the expiry of additional medical training and can continually be renewed and re-submitted up to the maximum of additional three years.

Apply for Level 2 >

Parents and coaches/team officials are required to complete the Respect in Sport program. Certification in the Respect in Sport program is valid for up to four seasons and is associated with a May 1 expiry date.

The Respect in Sport Program is an online certification program designed to protect our youth as well as enhance Hockey Alberta’s mandate of providing a safe and fun environment for all of our participants. It is Canada’s leading online bullying, abuse, harassment, and negligence prevention program for parents, coaches, and community leaders.


Respect in Sport Activity Leader/Coach/Officials

The Respect in Sport Activity Leader/Coach Program educates coaches and activity leaders to recognize, understand and respond to issues of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination. It may be the single most important training leaders receive to assist in creating a safe, healthy and respectful environment for all participants. NOTE: Speak Out is no longer recognized as a relevant program for coaches.

RESPECT IN SPORT COACH - LOGIN ›


RIS - Help Desk

When contacting the Help Desk, please ensure you provide clear information about the issue you are experiencing, the governing body which requested you complete the program, and the phone number (including area code) at which you may be contacted.

To contact the Respect Group Inc. Help Desk:

Respect Group Helpdesk Support is available 6 A.M. to Midnight MST. Support is available by phone, email or live chat.

1. Go to hockeyalbertaparent.respectgroupinc.com and click on Helpdesk Support in the lower left corner of the login page, or log into the program and click on the "Help" tab in the banner.

2. Go to support.respectgroupinc.com, and click on "Contact Us."

3. Call 1-866-956-9791.

4. Email [email protected].

Respect Group takes your privacy seriously. By submitting a request for information by email to a general or specific Respect Group email address, you are consenting to have a representative of Respect Group contact you by email.

This course provides a foundation for coaches within the competitive streams, and teaches drill progressions and regressions, skills analysis, seasonal planning, linking individual skills and tactics, team building and tactics, and goaltending.

STEP 1: In-Person Development 1 ($314 + GST - Includes Written Assignment + Evaluation Fees)

  • Two day clinic with 13 hours of classroom, and three hours on-ice instruction where coaches learn to motivate and lead athletes as they move into a competitive environment, build age and competition-appropriate practice plans, while giving players a solid understanding of skills and strategies needed to compete.
  • 100 per cent attendance will result in “trained” status, must successfully complete following steps to obtain “certified."

STEP 2: Written Assignment

  • Assignments are emailed out after the clinic and must be completed and returned within six weeks of course date. Return completed assignments to: [email protected].
  • Assignment topics include coach development plan, EAP, video skills analysis, plan and execute three practices and seasonal plan.

STEP 3: Making Ethical Decisions (MED) Online Evaluation (FREE)

  • Takes approximately 60 minutes, through the Coach Association of Canada’s “Locker."
  • Coaches are provided the opportunity to apply skills learned in the workshop to real life situations. Once completed coaches will have demonstrated the ability to handle ethical situations with confidence.

STEP 4: Field Evaluation

  • Once steps 1-3 are completed in full, coaches will receive a letter outlining eligibility to complete a Field Evaluation (FE), which consists of an evaluator being assigned to evaluate one practice. Prior to the FE coaches are required to submit practice plans and EAP to their evaluator.
  • Completion of this final step will move coaches from “trained” to “certified.”

Certification Maintenance

  • Once certified, coaches have five years to gather 20 PD points (tracking found on “the Locker”) to keep their “certified” status.
  • PD courses can be found under the Professional Development Tab

AVAILABLE DEVELOPMENT 1 CLINICS >

This seminar is hosted once a year with Hockey Canada hosting virtual sessions in May, The Coaching Association of Canada hosting virtual sessions in June and a week long seminar in July hosted at Hockey Alberta’s offices in Red Deer. It includes professional speakers in the delivery of sessions including special teams, planning to perform, offensive/defensive team play, game and bench management, ethics in coaching, team building and many more. 

In addition to classroom sessions, coaches will be provided practical learning and development by running on-ice sessions and coach on the bench with our Player Development camp which is run the same week. Coaches selected to attend this seminar will be guided by some of the best leaders and mentors in Canada.

HP1 is a full week, and coaches will need to come committed and prepared for long days. The seminar includes both individual and group tasks, and assignments that will be used to support the delegates in becoming fully certified as a High Performance 1 Coach.

Coaches are considered "trained" after 100 per cent attendance in the course, to meet requirements of being "certified" coaches must successfully complete the written assignment, field evaluation, and Making Ethical Decisions Online Evaluation by the set deadlines.

Requirements

The requirement set nationally is that “all head coaches coaching U15, U18 and Junior A teams that compete in inter-provincial or national championships or the highest level as determined by the branch, must be High Performance 1 Certified. It is recommended that all assistant coaches be at minimum Development 1 trained.”

Please refer to "Coach Requirements" for those who would require this course for coaching within Alberta

Eligibility

Coaches looking to apply should meet the following criteria:

  • Currently coach elite athletes in a competitive stream.
  • Currently or will be coaching in one of the five required leagues.
  • Certified at the Development 1 Level.

Field Evaluation Criteria:

  • Male Stream: HC at the U15 AA level or higher, or be an AC at the U15 AAA level or higher under proper guidance, or HC at Team Alberta competition.
  • Female Stream: HC at the U18 AAA or higher, or be an AC at the College, University or Senior AAA level, or HC at a Team Alberta competition.