Become a Coach

Becoming a Coach with EMSA West

EMSA West is dedicated to training its volunteer coaches through a variety of courses offered by Alberta Soccer.

EMSA West reimburses the cost of Technical Courses for West Coaches upon successful completion. Receipts and certificates can be sent to finance@ewzsa.com upon completion for reimbursement.

Requirements

  1. A minimum of two coaches, 18 years or older, must be present and participating in the group.
  2. All Coaches must have a valid Police Information Check, including Vulnerable Sector Search, on file with their district/club. See below.
  3. At least one Coach per group should be trained at the appropriate NCCP Coaching Level. See below.
  4. All Team Officials are required to take the Respect in Sports Activity Leaders Course, effective Outdoor 2021.
  5. Rule of Two – Rule 13.6 is now enforced in all soccer activities.

Police Information Checks

What are Police Information Checks?

The Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check includes a check of local police records to determine a pattern of behaviour that may harm vulnerable persons. To provide the most accurate information, we need to ensure the applicant is a resident of Edmonton and/or the surrounding jurisdictions authorized to do a Vulnerable Sector search. This is to ensure that vulnerable people are safe from victimization. The RCMP jurisdictions in which we have the authorization to do Vulnerable Sector searches are:

  • Spruce Grove
  • Stony Plain
  • Beaumont
  • Sherwood Park
  • St. Albert
  • Morinville
  • Fort Saskatchewan
  • Leduc

Who needs a PIC?

EMSA West requires all Board of Directors, Community Coordinators, and Team Officials to have a criminal record check, which includes a vulnerable sector check (Police Information Check/PIC). Team Officials must complete a PIC before being approved to volunteer and be added to a team roster.

EMSA West will provide our confirmed volunteers a link to complete the PIC. If you are providing a PIC, it must be done within three months of the current date. After the submission of a PIC, the clearance will last for up to three years. You will be required to upload the Third Party Consent form. No witness is required.

PIC forms are non-transferrable between organizations; EMSA West will not accept any PIC forms completed for jobs or other organizations. 

EMSA West reserves the right to deny any volunteer the opportunity to act as a volunteer (Bylaw 13.2)

NCCP Training

Coach training consists of two parts:

  1. Age-Specific Soccer Education
    • Active Start (U4 to U6)
    • FUNdamentals (U7 to U9)
    • Learn to Train (U11)
    • Soccer for Life (U13 to U19)
  2. All Ages Multi-Sport Education
    • Making Ethical Decisions
    • Making Head Way
    • Emergency Action Plan
    • Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders

Age-Specific Soccer Education

The Grassroots Coach Education Program has four workshops based on Stages 1, 2, 3, and 7 of the Long-Term Player Development Model. The first three workshops, Active Start, FUNdamentals, and Learn to Train, deal with soccer training and the importance of physical literacy for players up to 12 years of age.

The fourth workshop is called Soccer for Life and focuses on working with players aged 13 and older through to “masters soccer.” The Soccer for Life stage includes a wide array of participants who play for fun and fitness, those who enjoy recreational soccer, and those who prefer to play competitively but not at a high-performance level.

All Ages Multi-Sport Education

Coaches are also expected to complete multisport programs that equip them to provide the kids with an outstanding soccer experience.

Respect in Sport, Making Ethical Decisions, Making Head Way, and Emergency Action Plan provide coaches with the information they need as leaders of youth sports.

How to register for a NCCP course on The Locker.

Respect in Sport – Coach Program

The Respect in Sport Program assists coaches, referees, trainers, and managers in identifying and dealing with abuse, neglect, harassment, and bullying in sports. All Team Officials are required to take this course effective Outdoor 2021.

The online course costs are covered when Coaching with EMSA West. The curriculum is divided into six modules, which take approximately 2.5 hours and can be completed at the user’s pace. Once completed, certification is portable to other sports involved with Respect in Sport.

Register for Respect in Sport

Respect in Sport Program FAQs

Rule of Two

Rule 13.6 is now enforced in all soccer activities to encourage safe sport.