Coach

Coaches are essential for the development and performance of boccia athletes. Coaches are responsible for teaching boccia skills and rules, while providing a safe, fun, and inclusive environment for their athletes. For more information or support in becoming a coach, please contact your provincial boccia partner or [email protected].

National Coaching Certification Program

The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is the coach certification pathway developed by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). The NCCP educates coaches and equips them with the skills and confidence to lead safe and inclusive sport programs. The CAC is partnered with 65 National Sport Organizations and Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations, who are qualified to deliver the NCCP. 

For those interested in coaching boccia, Boccia Canada provides NCCP training and certification. Boccia Canada has two coaching streams – Community Sport and Competition. Within the streams, there are coaching contexts. Contexts are designed to prepare any level of coach, from the community level to the national level.  

Women and Gender Equity in Coaching Project (WAGE)

The WAGE Project aims to advance gender equality, leadership development and knowledge transfer through a mentorship program for women in coaching via a Community of Practice (CoP).

Boccia was selected to be part of this project. It will focus on raising awareness, providing education opportunities and practical experiences, accessing expert presenters and training, engaging in monthly meetings and knowledge sharing.

We will be selecting up to two Boccia Coach Mentors and four Boccia Coach Mentees to be part of this project. Selected Mentors and Mentees should be available for an in-person training event in Ottawa from January 14-15, 2025.

The Mentee Application Form can be found here and more information about the program here. The Mentor Application Form can be found here and more information about the program here. The deadline for both applications is December 16, 2024.

Community Support Stream

Context: Learn to Coach Boccia

  • Who is this for? This context is for first-time or beginner coaches that are interested in coaching at the community level, or who are starting their coaching certification. No previous boccia knowledge is required.
  • How long is it? It is an eight-hour (one day) workshop delivered online or in person.
  • How much does it cost? Fees are set by the host, but usually range from $45-60.
  • Where do I register? Please contact [email protected] and state your name and interest in completing Learn to Coach Boccia. 

Steps to be Completed in Learn to Coach Boccia
There are no pre-requisites to take Learn to Coach Boccia and no further steps need to be completed after the workshop. Coaches who complete Learn to Coach Boccia will receive “Trained” status on their NCCP coaching transcript. “Certified” status is not available for this context.

Competition Stream

Context: Introduction to Boccia Competition & Boccia Competition Development

Introduction to Boccia Competition

  • Who is this for? This context is for individuals that have some previous knowledge of boccia. Coaching experience is beneficial but not required. It will prepare coaches to provide developing athletes with the basic skills necessary to start competing at the local/club or provincial level.
  • How long is the program? This 16-hour (two day) workshop is delivered online or in person.
  • How much does it cost? Fees for the pre-requisite NCCP modules are set by each province. Fees for the Introduction to Boccia Competition workshop are set by the host, but usually range from $45-100.  

Steps to be Completed in Introduction to Boccia Competition
To become a Trained Introduction to Boccia Competition Coach, you must complete the following NCCP modules before taking the Introduction to Boccia Competition course, many of which are available online and can be taken through the Provincial Territorial Coaching Representative (PTCR) for each province.  

To become a Certified Introduction to Boccia Competition Coach, you must submit a portfolio with the required elements (list provided during the workshop) and be evaluated during a practice by an NCCP Coach Evaluator. 

Boccia Competition Development
For a more in-depth look at the Boccia Competition Development training and certification process, please see the left (red) and middle (yellow) columns of the Boccia Competition Development Pathway. 

Steps to be Completed in Boccia Competition Development
To become a Trained Boccia Competition Development Coach, coaches must first complete the following NCCP modules, many of which are available online and can be taken through the Provincial Territorial Coaching Representative (PTCR) for each province. Costs for these modules are set by the PTCR. 

After coaches have completed other Competition Development modules, they can complete the Analyse Technical Tactical Performance module. This module is offered by Boccia Canada and is scheduled as needed. It cannot be taken directly from a Provincial Territorial Coach Representative. Coaches should complete all other Competition Development modules before taking this module. 

To become a Certified Boccia Competition Development Coach, you must submit a portfolio with the required elements (list provided during the workshop) and be evaluated during a practice by an NCCP Coach Evaluator.  

Hosting an NCCP Course

Any community, club, or provincial sport organization can host an NCCP Course. To host a course, please contact [email protected], stating your name, location, and organization. Boccia Canada will set up the course logistics and arrange for a Learning Facilitator to visit. 

Costs 

  • Learning Facilitator Fees:
    • Learn to Coach Boccia - $300
    • Introduction to Boccia Competition - $500
  • Learning Facilitator travel, meals, and accommodation (using CCPSA meal per diem rate) 
  • Facility rental costs (if applicable) 
  • Participant fee: $45 per participant