Coaching Certification
Softball Saskatchewan is excited to introduce the new Coaching Pathways designed to simplify meeting your coaching requirements for the 2025 season!
Key Certifications:
- Foundations of Coaching Softball (FOCS)
- Making Ethical Decisions (MED)
For detailed instructions on how to access the FOCS and MED certification, please read the information below.
Additionally, for Respect in Sport (RiS) certification, visit the dedicated RiS section on our website for more details.
This new streamlined approach should make it easier for coaches to prepare and meet all their requirements!
Steps to Getting Your Coach Training!
STEP 1: Choose Your Pathway
If your coaching category is not listed below, you only need your Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders and do not need to follow a specific pathway.
Community Coach Pathway (NOT attending a Western or Canadian Championship)
- U11 A/B Girls - 1 Coach
- U11 'Open' Boys - 1 Coach
- U13 B/C Girls - 1 Coach
- U13 'Open' Boys - 1 Coach
- U15 B/C Girls - 1 Coach
- U15 'Open' Boys - 1 Coach
- U17 B/C Girls - 1 Coach
- U17 'Open' Boys - 1 Coach
- U20C Girls - 1 Coach
- U20 'Open' Boys - 1 Coach
Competition Introduction Pathway
- U13A Girls Westerns - 1 Coach Certified
- U13 'Open' Boys Westerns - 1 Coach Certified
- U15A Girls
- Canadians: Head Coach Certified; Assistant Coaches Trained
- Westerns: 1 Coach Certified
- U15 'Open' Boys
- Canadians: Head Coach Certified; Assistant Coaches Trained
- Westerns: 1 Coach Certified
- U17A Girls
- Canadians: Head Coach Certified; Assistant Coaches Trained
- Westerns: 1 Coach Certified
- U17 'Open' Boys
- Canadians: Head Coach Certified; Assistant Coaches Trained
- Westerns: Head Coach Certified
- U19A Women's Canadians: Head Coach Certified; Assistant Coaches Trained
- U19B Girls Westerns: 1 Coach Certified
- U20 'Open' Men's Canadians: Head Coach Certified; Assistant Coaches Trained
- U23A Women's Canadians: Head Coaches Certified
- Women's 'A' Canadians: Head Coaches Certified
- U23A Men's Canadians: Head Coach Certified
- Men's 'A' Canadians: Head Coach Certified
STEP 2: Get your Respect in Sport!
STEP 3: Foundations of Coaching Softball (FOCS)
The Foundations of Coaching Softball (FOCS) online modules are a key prerequisite for many coaches before taking the Making Ethical Decisions (MED) course. FOCS consists of two parts. To get your FOCS certification, follow these steps:
- Visit www.coach.ca and navigate to The Locker.
- Log in to your NCCP account, or create one:
- If you already have an NCCP number but forgot your password, click Forgot Password or email jac@softball.sk.ca to retrieve it.
- If you are new, click Create NCCP#.
- Once logged in, choose eLearning > Multi-Sport tab - Softball.
- Complete FOCS Part 1 for $10 (60-75 minutes) or FOCS Part 2 for $15 (75-90 minutes), based on your progress.
These modules are an important step towards building a solid coaching foundation!
STEP 4: Making Ethical Decisions (MED)
After completing the FOCS, you can proceed to obtain your Making Ethical Decisions (MED) certification. You have two options for completing this certification:
Option 1: Take the Online Module
- Cost: $50
- Benefit: Unlimited exam attempts
- Visit the Coaches Association of Saskatchewan (CAS) website to register.
- If no courses are available, contact them directly through the "Contact Us" page on their website.
- Note: Please do not email Softball Saskatchewan, as they do not manage this course.
Option 2: Take the MED Online Evaluation Directly
- Cost: $85
- Benefit: Two exam attempts
- If you fail both attempts, you must complete the module for $50 before retaking the exam.
To access the MED Online Evaluation, follow these steps:
- Visit www.coach.ca and log in to The Locker.
- If you have taken an NCCP clinic before, you already have an NCCP account.
- If you don’t remember your password, click on "Forgot Password," or email jac@softball.sk.ca to retrieve your credentials.
- If you're new to NCCP, click Create NCCP#.
- Navigate to eLearning and look for NCCP Make Ethical Decisions Online Evaluation.
Make sure you complete these steps to ensure your certification is up to date!
Step 5: Modules & Clinics
- Community Pathway: Requires the Community In-Person clinic.
- Competition Introduction Pathway: Requires 3 online/Zoom modules and the Competition Introduction In-Person clinic. Click here for Coaching Clinics.
Competition Introduction Evaluation
Click HERE for information on the evaluation process, and click HERE for the application form.
Competition Development (Level 3 Technical)
Softball Competition-Development focuses on coaches working with athletes in the Train-to-Train and Train-to-Compete stages of Softball Canada’s LTPD model. Certification in this context is required for Canada Summer Games and to be eligible as a National Team Coach. This training involves both softball specific content over 2 weekend clinics, as well as 6 multi-sport modules offered through Coaches Association of Saskatchewan. Once coaches have completed both weekends they will have Competition-Development In-Training status, and will move to Trained status once the 6 multi-sport modules have been completed. To become Competition-Development Certified, coaches will also need to fully complete the evaluation process.
Please note, this is not the Certification required for coaching at Canadian Championships. Coaches attending these Competition-Development clinics should already be Trained and/or Certified in Competition-Introduction.
The Softball Saskatchewan Competition-Development Clinics will consist of Weekend 1 being replaced by 5 zoom sessions (3 hours each) and Weekend 2 will be in-person held in Saskatoon. The in-person will run Friday evening, and all day Saturday and Sunday. Specific details, schedule, and location will be sent out to registered participants prior to the clinic.
Weekend 1 - (Replaced with 5 Zoom Sessions) - 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM - September 18, 25, October 2, 9 & 16
Weekend 2 - In-Person Clinic (Saskatoon) - October 25 - 27
You must attend all dates!
Registration Fee: $400.00
Registration Deadline: September 11, 2024.
If you have an question please contact Jacqueline at jac@softball.sk.ca.