Jumpstart into Coaching

The Jumpstart into Coaching program is focused on the development of life skills, teamwork and leadership experience through sport for the youth within equity-seeking communities across Ontario. Through training and mentorship opportunities, this program will provide participants with the tools to become grassroots, provincial and national level coaches in their respective sports, free of cost.

“Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”

– Rita Pierson (TedTalks, Educator)

  • Growing future generation of leaders and volunteers in communities
  • Welcoming more diverse representation within the world of sport
  • Equipping youth from equity-seeking community groups to succeed in coaching
  • Alleviating barriers to coaching that youth from the target groups face
  • Teaching youth valuable life, leadership and teamwork skills
  • Enriching the overall contribution to the community, sport, team and organization

Ontario youth (ages 16-25) that are interested in becoming coaches AND also self-identify with an equity-seeking group, such as but not limited to;

  • Black
  • Indigenous
  • Persons of Colour
  • LGBTQ2SIA+ Individuals
  • Women and Girls
  • New Canadians (0-5 year residents)
  • Persons with a disability
Jumpstart into Coaching

The first part of the program aims to engage with 500 youth coaches from the target groups, providing free NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport training. This online training module will provide an introduction to becoming a coach and serve as a first step for youth to get their jumpstart into coaching.

The second part of the program will build off of this first step, providing free education, mentorship, and coaching experience to eligible youth program applicants that are selected. These mentorship opportunities are coordinated in collaboration with the Ontario Basketball Association and Ontario Soccer.

These participants will receive:

  1. Free access to NCCP courses and other training modules within the learning plan
  2. The minimum standard certification to coach at the community level of the targeted sport
  3. Mentorship with an experienced mentor providing support and guidance
  4. Coaching experience in the form of a placement after the training period
  5. A network of support through the Program Coordinator, their Provincial Sport Contact, their Mentor Coach, and other Coaches in Training within their cohort

Available Sports:

  • Basketball – Fall 2022
  • Soccer – Winter 2023

So you’ve finished the NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport module and now you want to explore becoming a coach. Here’s how you can get started!

A sport you love, have played, or are interested in, is the best place to start. 

Do I need to know all the technical stuff about the sport?

Absolutely not. All coaches in Canada receive training through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Your sport has a 1-2 day NCCP course that will teach you all the technical skills you need to coach in a given Context (age range, competitive level).

Now you’ve got your sport! Next up is locating somewhere to coach.

Here is how to find a club:

  • If you are already connected to a club (you’ve played there), start with that club
  • If someone you know coaches or plays at a nearby club, that’s the second best place to start
  • The third option is a quick google search of nearby clubs for your sport
  • If you’re completely stuck, your Provincial Sport Organization can help!

Now, its time for you reach out by phone or email to your club contact, clubs admin, or coaching friend with a message about volunteering as a coach.

If you need help finding a club, a coaching role, a sport you’re interested in, training that is right for you, or anything in between, don’t hesitate to email education@coachesontario.ca. The Coaches Association of Ontario is here to help you navigate becoming a coach!

If you’d like to stay up to date on the coaching education, programs, and events at CAO, you can sign up for our mailing list here.

Now you have a sport, a club/organization, and the CAO community. Let’s get you coaching!

If your club/organization is active in this space and want to better support your youth or get involved with the Jumpstart into Coaching program, please contact megan@coachesontario.ca.