Mandatory National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) Standards
Beginning in the 2025-26 season, there will be mandatory minimum standards for all levels of field hockey coaches in BC. To see a full breakdown of the mandatory standards, please access the 2025 FHC-Minimum-Standards-for-Coach-Training-and-Certification-outline-Jan-24-2025
In summary and for 2025-26, BC club coaches will be required to meet the minimum mandatory standard set by Field Hockey Canada:
- For BC club coaches coaching teams ONLY in a sanctioned local league context (junior league, senior league, or ‘house’ league), the minimum mandatory standard is aligned to the NCCP Community context plus mandatory safe sport requirements (please refer to the full document above for details).
- For BC club coaches coaching teams who may play in BOTH a sanctioned league context and a sanctioned tournament or event context (for example: league + club championships, league + standalone club event, league + regional event, league + provincial event, league + national event, league + domestic or overseas tour) then the minimum mandatory standard is aligned to the NCCP Competition Introduction context plus mandatory safe sport requirements (please refer to the full document above for details).
- For BC club coaches coaching teams ONLY in a sanctioned tournament or event then the minimum mandatory standard is aligned to the NCCP Competition Introduction context plus mandatory safe sport requirements (please refer to the full document above for details).
More information regarding each NCCP context, as well as safe sport requirements can be found by scrolling down on this webpage.
Systemic National Coach Pathway Support
FHBC is delighted to continue an investment initiative to include subsidies for formal NCCP Coach Education. Currently being subsidized until June 30, 2026 is the NCCP Make Ethical Decisions (MED) course. To take advantage of this subsidy, participants need to be currently registered with FHBC for the 2025-26 season. For more information on this course and the other Safe Sport Course Requirements, please access our Safe Sport Coach Education page.
National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP)
The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is a coach training and certification program for 66 different sports across Canada. NCCP workshops are designed to meet the needs of all types of coaches, from the first-time coach to the head coach of a national team. The NCCP is the recognized national standard for coach training and certification in Canada. As part of the program, all coaches are trained in ethical decision-making and sport safety.
Course Formats
There are several different delivery methods for NCCP courses. It is important for coaches to understand the different course formats when they are signing up for courses.
- In-person Delivery – A course that takes place either in a classroom or on the field. Under the current PHO orders, classroom courses are prohibited and therefore not mentioned below.
- Online Delivery – A course that takes place at a scheduled time over Zoom (or other online platform). These courses are led by a facilitator and coach participation is required.
- eLearning – Online course available in The Locker that can be completed on your own time.
- Home Study – Self-directed learning that can be completed on your own time and at your own pace. This method includes completing a workbook (PDF or Word Document) and submitting it to a tutor for marking. You have three months to complete a Home Study course. Should only be used as a last option.
In BC, most NCCP courses are delivered by viaSport BC.
The Locker
The Locker is the Coaching Association of Canada’s (CAC) online database, where coach transcripts are stored, and coaches can access eLearning courses.
All coaches engaging in the NCCP need to have a NCCP number and Locker account. If you do not have one, you can sign up by clicking here: https://thelocker.coach.ca/account/login?mode=login and then selecting “Don’t have an NCCP#? Create one now“.
Safe Sport Requirements
All field hockey coaches in Canada are required to take the following Safe Sport modules, regardless of what coach education stream they are in:
- NCCP Make Ethical Decisions
- NCCP Making Headway
- CAC Safe Sport Training
For more information on how to complete these courses, click here.
Community Coach Context
The Community Coach Context is designed for coaches working at the community level. This may include volunteer coaches that are new to the sport (i.e. a parent coaching their child’s team) or former athletes that want to learn how to coach. This context is most appropriate for coaches of athletes under 12 or recreational teams of all ages that will be learning the basics of hockey.
The courses in this context include:
- NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport
- FHC: Community Coaching
- NCCP Fundamental Movement Skills
For more information on how to complete these courses, click here.
Note: There is no evaluation for a Community Coach. Once all courses are complete, the coach will be Trained and their Community Coach Context complete.
Competition – Introduction Context
The Competition – Introduction context is designed for coaches with 2+ years of experience coaching field hockey that are wanting to take the next step. This context is most appropriate for coaches that are introducing athletes to the skills of the game and to competitive hockey.
The courses in this context include:
- NCCP Emergency Action Plan
- NCCP Planning a Practice
- NCCP Teaching & Learning
- FHC Competition – Introduction Course
- NCCP Sport Nutrition
- NCCP Basic Mental Skills
- NCCP Design a Basic Sport Program
Note: This context includes a Coach Evaluation to become Certified
For more information on becoming a Competition – Introduction coach, click here.
Competition – Development Context
The Competition – Development context is designed for coaches that are an experienced Club or Provincial U18 coach or Post-Secondary coach, who already have a good understanding of coaching. Coaches in this context may be a former or current National Team athlete. This context is most appropriate for coaches of senior development athletes or performance club athletes (16-19 years old) who are developing game skills and strategy.
The courses in this context include:
- NCCP Psychology of Performance
- NCCP Manage a Sports Program
- NCCP Design a Basic Sport Program
- NCCP Developing Athletic Abilities
- FHC Psychology of Field Hockey
- FHC Performance Planning for Field Hockey
- FHC Developing Athletic Abilities for Field Hockey
- FHC Manage a Field Hockey Program
- FHC Performance Analysis for Field Hockey
- NCCP Coaching & Leading Effectively
- NCCP Prevention & Recovery
- NCCP Leading Drug-Free Sport
- NCCP Managing Conflict
- NCCP Performance Planning
- NCCP Advanced Practice Planning
Note: This context includes a Coach Evaluation to become Certified
For more information on becoming a Competition – Development coach, click here.
Click on the images below to see the charts in full size.
For more details on each stage of the NCCP Pathway, click here.