Coaches

Hockey Newfoundland & Labrador is committed to the development of coaches across the province. As a branch, we are pleased to be able to offer a variety of online and in-class clinics and programs to assist in the development and growth of all our coaches at every level.

Please review the important information below regarding clinic details, coaching requirements and changes to coaching certifications for this season.

HOCKEY NL COACH AND VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENT CHART

Learning Lab- Safety 1

The Hockey Canada Safety Program – Level 1 is a risk management and safety education program for the volunteer Safety Person on all minor, junior, female and senior hockey teams. The goal of the program is to have you, the Safety Person, ensure safety is your primary responsibility and priority during all hockey-related activities, both on and off the ice. The program will allow you to utilize a proactive, preventative approach to safety while being prepared to react in the event of accidents, injuries or medical emergencies.

Learning Lab- Safety 1

This course is completely online and once completed you will receive your completion status without any other necessary requirements.

Learning Lab- Checking

The Hockey Canada Checking Skills Program is an education program for the volunteer coach on all minor and female hockey teams coaching at levels that require Checking Skills. The goal of the program is to have you, the Coach, ensure Checking safety is your primary responsibility and priority when teaching checking-related activities. The program will allow you to utilize a proactive, teaching approach about the progression of Checking skills required by players to participate in the game of hockey in a safe and fun manner.

Learning Lab- Checking

This course is completely online and once completed you will receive your completion status without any other necessary requirements.

Coach 1

The Coach 1 – Intro to Coach program was designed to review the basic tools coaches need in leadership, communication, teaching skills and lesson planning. This is taught with special considerations of the youngest athletes in mind.

Coaches looking to complete this certification must first complete the Online Learning Lab session at the following link- Coach 1.

Once successfully completed, coaches must then attend a 2 hour in-class clinic to go over supplementary material and participate in a one hour on-ice coaching session.

*Note- For a coach to be on the ice with our U7 & U9 players they MUST be Coach 1 trained. No other clinic certification replaces Coach 1.

Coach 2

Coach Level follows the competency-based education and training method of learning and is an excellent course for all new and recreational-level coaches. The NCCP Coach Level introduces player development and teaches coach knowledge, skills and attitudes in a team environment, training environment, practice environment and game environment. The Coach Level emphasizes basic skills and the importance of having players develop confidence, self-esteem and a love for the game.

Coaches looking to complete this certification must first complete the Online Learning Lab session at the following link- Coach 2.

Once successfully completed, coaches must then attend a 2 hour in-class clinic to go over supplementary material and participate in a one hour on-ice coaching session.

Development 1

Coaches learn good habits when they practice effective coaching behaviours. This clinic empowers coaches to do and think for themselves. Coaches in Development 1 get an in-depth practical look into the following: team building, skill development, drill design, developing drill progressions, practice planning, athletic abilities, individual skills and tactics and making ethical decisions.

The pathway to become Development 1 Certified is as followed:

Completion of the Making Ethical Decision Online Course- this will be offered virtually as a clinic through HNL and posted to our website once scheduled.
Completion of an in-class Development 1 Clinic
Completion of the Development 1 Workbook- this will be given to all participants to complete following the Development 1 in-class clinic.
Completion of a Field Evaluation from a HNL Certified Facilitator.
Important Hockey NL Changes to Coaching Certifications for the 2024-2025 Season

Heah Coaches in U13/U15/U18 House and Rep teams below D level grading will now need to become Development 1 Trained. They will need to complete the Making Ethical Decisions Online component of the Development 1 course and complete the in-class portion as well. They will not need to complete the workbook or a field evaluation unless they wish to obtain the full Development 1 Certification.
In U13/U15/U16/U18 at the AAA and AA levels, Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches will need to be Development 1 Certified.
Head Coaches at Junior B & Senior Hockey level within Hockey NL will now have a three-year window from the time they’re first registered as a coach in the league (starting this year) to complete the certification. Assistant coaches will have this same requirement for completing their Coach 2.
Senior Hockey Coaching Staff members will additionally need to complete the Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders course.
To register for any of our upcoming clinics please Click Here

Coaching Certifications Deadline - February 28th, 2025

Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Marcus Power mpower@hockeynl.ca or Garry Dove gdove@hockeynl.ca

Thank you,

Garry Dove

Hockey Development Chair

Hockey NL

Marcus Power

Manager, Development & High-Performance

Hockey NL