Coaching - Alberta
Coaching in Alberta
Alberta Water Polo has minimum coaching certification requirements for all Alberta Club Coaches. These requirements follow the LTAD model laid out by Water Polo Canada in conjunction with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). The following chart highlights these requirements and are to be completed by January 31st of each season.
AWPA Minimum Coaching Certification Requirements - LINK
All Coaches are required to attend the Referee Refresher course in September. This will include a coaches session to review all new rules and any rule modifications for the upcoming season. To register for this clinic, please register via your Club's RAMP registration page. If you are having any issues, email the League Commissioner.
WPC Coaching Certification Information - LINK
Coaching Clinics - NCCP
The AWPA offers both the Community and Competitive NCCP water polo coach course through the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). These courses are offered prior to the January 31st deadline every year. To register for any Coaching Clinics, please login to your RAMP Registration Account and find the clinics named below under Camp / Clinic Registration.
Clinic Name | Clinic Date(s) | Target Audience | Location | Cost | Registration Deadline |
Community Coaching Clinic | TBD | -
U10 Coaches -
U12 Coaches -
U14 Assistant Coaches -
U16 Assistance Coaches -
Junior Coaches | ONLINE | $135 | TBD |
Criminal Record Check
A Criminal Record Check is required for all coaches over the age of 18. Criminal Record Checks can be completed through mybackcheck.com.
Vulnerable Sector Search
A vulnerable sector search is a background check done by the police on people that are expected to deal with minors. This is recommended for coaches but not required The vulnerable sector search determines if an individual has ever been charged or convicted of inappropriate behaviour with minors. It is important to note that this search is not a guarantee of appropriate behaviour in the future. It only records issues that have come to police attention in the past.
Respect In Sport
After a careful review of other sport organizations, AWPA has decided that ALL Coaches, Volunteer, Junior, Provincial and National must complete the Respect in Sport for Activity Leader program. This module is only required once every five years.
If you have already completed the Activity Leader Program certificate, select "Import a Certificate" and follow the prompts.
Please click on the link below to access information and complete the easy self registration process.
Respect in Sport Activity Leader - Registration
Responsible Coaching Movement
Coaching Association of Canada
The goal of the Rule of Two is to ensure all interactions and communications are open, observable, and justifiable. Its purpose is to protect participants (especially minors) and coaches in potentially vulnerable situations by ensuring more than one adult is present. There may be exceptions in emergency situations.
Good practices to implement the Rule of Two
-
Ensure a coach is never alone and out of sight with a participant without another screened coach or screened adult (parent or volunteer) present.
-
Allow the training environment to be open to observation.
-
Ensure a participant rides in a coach's vehicle with another adult present.
-
Consider the gender of the participant(s) when selecting the screened coaches and volunteers present.
-
Eliminate one-to-one electronic messaging. Ensure that all communications are sent to the group and/or include parents
Making Ethical Decisions
All coaches who complete the Competitive Coach Course are required to complete the MED online evaluation in order to become trained. This evaluation is free to those who have completed the Competitive Coach Course which includes the Making Ethical Decisions Training.
Effective April 1, 2026, NCCP Make Ethical Decisions (MED) training and evaluation will be delivered as a single online eLearning module in the Locker for a cost of $85.00.
Coaches who have already completed MED training but not yet completed the online evaluation OR coaches who have already paid for the online evaluation but have not yet completed it, must complete the current NCCP MED Online Evaluation by March 31, 2026.
Safe Sport Training
All coaches are encouraged to complete the Safe Sport Training. This course can be accessed through your locker profile on CAC. It is free and points are earned towards your professional development.
Safe Sport Training
Multi-Sport Learning Courses and Professional Development
Once certified, Competitive Coaches are required to complete 16 Professional Development points within a four-your cycle to maintain their certification. Courses can be found through either Alberta Sport Connection or the Coaching Association of Canada.
Alberta Sport Connection
Coaching Association of Canada
Note: If you do not know what level of coaching you have or would like a means of keeping track of your certification please view the Coach’s Locker. This site is an excellent way to ensure that you have the correct level of certification. For more information, or if you have questions about coaching certification please contact Alberta Water Polo
