Coach Certification - 2026 Updated

Coach Certification Requirements

Effective for the 2026 Season

Please review this information carefully to ensure you meet all requirements to be on the bench.

Non-compliant coaches will be removed from the bench as of May 15, 2026.

Thank you for volunteering and supporting lacrosse in our community.

General Coach Requirements (All Levels)

• Must be 16 years of age or older
• All coaches must be registered in RAMP prior to attending any floor sessions (including evaluation floor times)
• All coaches on the bench (Head and Assistant) must meet certification requirements
• Coaches may complete one certification course per season
• First-year coaches must start with Community Development
• If your NCCP Locker shows “In Training” for courses taken between 2019-present, you are still eligible to coach (This is a known Lacrosse Canada / NCCP issue)

Coaching Requirements Overview

Notes

• All coaches on the bench (Head and Assistant) must meet the requirements for their division
• First-year coaches must begin with Community Development
• Coaches showing “In Training” in their NCCP Locker (2019-present) are eligible to coach
• Non-compliant coaches will be removed from the bench as of May 15, 2026

U7 - U13 Coach Requirements

• Community Development
• Respect in Sport - Activity Leader (valid for 4 seasons)
• Vulnerable Sector Police Check (VSS) (valid for 3 seasons)
• Making Ethical Decisions (MED)

Required Free Pre-Training Modules available on NCCP

• Making Headway in Sport
• Understanding the Rule of Two
• NCCP Emergency Action Plan

U15 - U17 Coach Requirements

• Community Development (prerequisite)
• Competitive Introduction
• Making Ethical Decisions
• Making Headway in Sport
• Vulnerable Sector Police Check (VSS) (valid for 3 seasons)

Additional Required Training (if not already completed)

• Understanding the Rule of Two
• NCCP Emergency Action Plan
• Safe Sport Training
• Mental Health in Sport

Coaching Certification Courses

For detailed instructions on how to register please [click here]

• Courses typically begin in April
• Limited seating for all clinics
• Coaches are encouraged to plan ahead
• Arrive early to check in
• $50 no-show fee for registered clinics
• Course details will be emailed the Monday prior to the clinic

Community Development Courses

Required for first-year coaches and U7-U13

Hybrid Course (Two Parts - BOTH Required)

Part 1: Online - Community Development Core

• Register at coach.ca
• Camera required
• Dates: TBA

Part 2: In-Person (On-Floor) Community Development Box Lacrosse Technical/Tactical

• Dates: TBA

Coaches only need to complete the Community Development classroom portion once for all disciplines.

Competitive Introduction

• Required for U15 and U17
• Register at coach.ca
• Dates: TBA

Respect in Sport - Activity Leader

• Required for U7-U13 coaches
• Valid for 4 seasons
• Must be linked to your NCCP number

How to Link RIS to Your NCCP Locker

1. Log in or create an account at The Locker
2. Add your NCCP number to your RIS profile
3. Enable communication with NCCP in your profile settings

Important Update - Making Ethical Decisions (MED)

Effective 2026

The decision to transition Making Ethical Decisions (MED) from online learning to an exclusive eLearning format was made through an NCCP partnership, led by the Coaching Association of Canada, to standardize MED training across the country.

Effective April 1, 2026:

• Coaches who require MED will complete the training through The Locker
• Cost will be $85

Transition Period (2025):

• SPAR will continue to offer the current online MED training until March 15
• Cost during this period: $45
• Coaches who complete the training must also complete the online evaluation by March 31 (free)
• After March 31, the current online training and evaluation will no longer be available once the new eLearning is in place

Coaches are strongly encouraged to check their Locker profile and plan accordingly to avoid delays in certification.

Useful Links & Resources

• Review Your Coach Transcript
  • Coach Locker (coach.ca)
• ALA Coaching Certification Regulations
• Coach Mentoring & Development Resources