Q: What is the NCCP?
A: The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) was launched in 1974 to give coaches the tools they need to succeed. The program has constantly evolved over the years to stay at the forefront of delivering programs that respect the principles and science of long-term athlete development while also reflecting the changes within sports – from the science of training, to competition strategy and tactics, and to the athletes themselves.
Q: I took NCCP courses while I was coaching another sport. Are these transferable to hockey?
A: Yes. NCCP courses are global to your profile with the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). Most certifications require coaches to take sport-specific training as well as multi-sport training. Once you have completed the multi-sport training and evaluation you can apply those modules toward certification in any sport. Please visit the NCCP Levels and Requirements page for more certification pathway information.
Q: What is The Locker?
A: The Locker is an online database of Canadian coaches developed by the CAC. The Locker supports the efforts of Canadian hockey coaches undergoing training and/or certification education by allowing them to track their progress and guide their development.
Maintenance of certification and professional development (PD) points are tracked on a coach’s public transcript in The Locker and will update the Hockey Canada Registry (HCR) profile when Certified status is renewed.
Following completion of your first clinic, you are provided with an NCCP number and a username/password for your own account with The Locker. Once you have an account, you can access your profile to view/update personal information and find coaching records and printable transcripts.
If, for some reason, you do not receive a confirmation email or you need to request an NCCP number, please send an email to [email protected] and include the following information:
Q: Why do coaches need to access their Locker profile?
A: The Locker tracks a coach’s participation as well as their final status (Trained or Certified). The Locker tracks all requirements that a coach needs for certification and allows them to see what elements need to be completed for certification.
Q: Why do I need to maintain my certification?
A: The CAC and Hockey Canada recognize the value of having certified coaches engaged in professional development programs that reinforce the values of lifelong learning. These courses ensure a coach’s competency, knowledge and skills are up to date, which translate into athletes receiving the best experience possible.
For you to maintain your Certified status, you are required to obtain professional development (PD) points. PD points can be earned through a multitude of activities that coaches already participate in, including (but not limited to):
The Maintenance of Certification section of the CAC website outlines opportunities to collect PD points, guidance on how to read your PD requirements in The Locker and an in-depth FAQ section.