Open Season for ACD

 

Aspiring world-class coaches, step right up! Registration is now open for the 2018 Advanced Coaching Diploma (ACD), the pinnacle of coaching education in the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). And, for the first time, registration is being offered openly through the Locker portal on the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) website.

The CSI Calgary is one of three hubs across Canada offering the ACD, a competency-based program that integrates classroom study with a coaching practicum under the leadership of a Master Coach. The mission of the program is to develop world class coaches who are capable of preparing athletes for podium performances in sport, and for life outside of sport.

Interested applicants can access their locker profile on the CAC (coach.ca) website and choose the institute that best suits their schedule and needs. For example, winter sport coaches will find the ACD schedule at CSI Calgary most complements the winter competition season whereas CSI Ontario is a better fit for coaches with a busy summer season. INS in Quebec offers ACD in French over the summer months.

The ACD is unique in that the program has been able to overcome geographical and scheduling issues, making it available to coaches from just about anywhere in Canada. The synchronous learning platform, which allows coaches to attend courses remotely, isn’t quite as good as being there in person but according to Jason Sjostrom, it’s the next best thing.

“We know that the traditional model of learning together in a classroom is best,” acknowledges Sjostrom. “But given the nature of coaching and the demands of travel and competition schedules, synchronous learning is next best, where coaches have access to all of the content on their own and can still connect with classmates.”

For example, ACD student and bobsleigh coach Lyndon Rush is currently fully and completely focused on the upcoming 2018 Olympics in Peyongchang. However, the Olympic-bound coach can still review classes he’s missed, interact with his fellow classmates and stay up to date on content and coursework.

One of the benefits to coaches learning while immersed in the coaching environment is the ability to develop and display competency in real time, where new ideas and changes can be applied to the work they’re doing with their athletes and then evaluated quickly. “If a coach wants to evoke a change, this model allows them to utilize the content to achieve that, understand why and ask better questions,” explains Sjostrom.

Another advantage to the ACD structure is that it pushes those competencies – the coaches have to remain curious and do the learning. It fosters inquisitive learning and therefore becomes a coach driven program. It motivates coaches to say, ‘I’m here to learn, I want to do these things.’

Canada’s well-deserving and influential coaches were recently honoured and recognized at the 2017 Petro-Canada Sport Leadership Awards Gala in Calgary on November 3rd. The Gala recognizes those who live out the values and competencies of the NCCP and the positive impact they have within the Canadian sport community.

Several Alberta coaches were honoured, including those from CSI Calgary supported sports.

The CSI Calgary salutes these fine Alberta coaches and encourages all the coaches out there wishing to accomplish similar feats to apply for the 2018 ACD cohort.

Investors Group National NCCP Coach Developer Award

Duane Bratt: Lacrosse

Petro Canada Coaching Excellence Awards:

Barb Prystai: Special Olympics Canada
Bart Schouten, ChPC: Speed Skating Canada
Burkhard Schaffer: Alpine Canada Alpin
Kim Cousins, ChPC: Athletics Canada
Ravi Walia: Skate Canada
Wolfgang Staudinger, ChPC: Canadian Luge Association

 

Canadian Sport Institute Calgary: @csicalgary
Written by Kristina Groves: @kngrover
Photo by: Dave Holland @csicalgaryphoto
15/11/17

Partner, Sport Science Solutions, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, Education, Performance Services, Canadian Sport Institute Calgary Team, Strength and Conditioning, Advanced Coaching Diploma, Jason Sjostrom, National Sport Organization, Coach


Copyright © 2013 Canadian Sport Institute Calgary | All Rights Reserved | Photo Credit : Dave Holland