Youth Mentors: We are looking for youth mentors ages 12-15 to assist our coaches with the Jackrabbits program. Youth mentors will shadow the coaches to learn the ropes, be an extra set of hands, and demonstrate as needed. Responsibilities include group management, lesson support, and engagement (games/skiing). Youth mentors cannot provide instruction. 

 

Benefits: By becoming a youth mentor, you contribute back to your community, provide important mentorship to younger athletes, and gain valuable skills that can be put on a resume. As well, you can earn volunteer credits for school (if applicable). If needed, KNC will provide ski rentals for the season. 

 

Requirements: 

• Prior cross country ski experience in a youth development program 

• Jackrabbits Code of Conduct 

• SafeSport and Rule of Two online courses

• Introduction to Community Coaching, Coach Initiation in Sport online courses

• Commitment to assisting once per week 

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Head Coach vs. Assistant Coach: Head coaches lead the group and decide on the lesson plans for each session. Assistant coaches assist as needed with instruction and group management. We need at least one Head Coach per group. Both are important roles and we encourage all coaches to reach the Head Coach level of training for their program.

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Bunnies (3-4 years) and Jackrabbits Assistant Coach: The first step of the LTAD framework is called Active Start. In cross country ski programming this is the Bunnies program. To coach at the Active Start stage you need to become an “instructor”, which is a step below being considered a coach. Instructors can only teach Bunnies and be an assistant coach for Jackrabbits. To become an instructor you must take these courses:

• SafeSport forms and courses listed above. 

• Coach Initiation in Sport: 1 hour, accessed through The Locker

• Introduction to Community Coaching: 4 hours, accessed through The Locker

• Fees: paid upfront by the coach. Receipts sent to KNC for reimbursement via e-transfer

 

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Jackrabbits (Ages 5 - 9) Head Coach and Track Attack/Adventure Ski Assistant Coach: The next step of the LTAD framework is called FUNdamentals. In cross country skiing this is levels 1-4 of Jackrabbits. To coach at this level you will need to have completed the Instructor level courses and then move on to complete an additional course so that you are considered “Community Coaching Trained.” Track Attack and Adventure Ski Assistant Coaches must also have this level of training. 

• SafeSport forms and courses listed above. 

• Community Coaching course: 18-20 hours over 2-3 days, in-person, hosted annually at KNC 

• Fees: free registration through Zone 4 using a code provided by the program administrator

 

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Track Attack (Ages 9 - 12) and Adventure Ski (Ages 12-16) Head Coach: The next step of the LTAD framework is called Learning to Train. In cross country skiing this is Track Attack. If you are interested in becoming a Track Attack coach you must complete all of the above courses and then complete the below additional courses and practical experience. Once completed you will be considered “L2T Trained”. Adventure Ski head coaches must also have this level of training. 

• SafeSport forms and courses listed above. 

• Dryland workshop: 19 hours, over 2-3 days, in-person, hosted annually each Fall at KNC

• On-snow workshop: 16.5 hours, over 2-3 days, in-person, hosted annually each Winter at KNC

• Practical Experience: 40 hours, practical coaching, organize and lead a camp, and lead a team at a regional competition

• Fees: free registration through Zone 4 using a code provided by the program administrator

 

Adventure Ski (Ages 12-16): We have a new Adventure Ski program for older athletes. This program is aimed at the Sport for Life step of the LTAD framework. The coaching requirements for this program are the same as for Jackrabbits, with the head coach(es) on the coach team needing to be “L2T Trained”. 

 

Biathlon (Ages 9+): Biathlon, the combination of skiing and shooting, has its own coaching pathway as it lies within the jurisdiction of Biathlon BC. 

• Please refer to this flowchart to see the biathlon community coaching pathway. 

• SafeSport forms and courses listed above.

 

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Additional Training: If you are excited to continue to grow and learn as a coach there are additional courses that you can take to advance your coaching knowledge and expertise. We only require that our coaches be at the “trained” level; however, if you complete Practical Coaching Experience (PCE) assignments, then you can become “certified.” Certified coaches can coach at the BC Games and coach at summer and winter BC ski camps. Additional training helps to supplement our Head Coach and gives a further chance for you as a coach, as well as our athletes, to develop.

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This guide was adapted from the Nordiq Canada Coach Development Webpage, where additional details can be found. If you are excited to continue to grow as a coach after taking the above courses please see their webpage for details about additional courses.

 

Once you’ve completed your coaching courses there are a few more boxes to check off before being able to coach at KNC: 

• Complete your Safesport requirements (the forms will be sent to you)

• Acquire a pass to KNC (a discount code will be sent to you)

• Complete the Code of Conduct for your program (the link will be sent to you)

• Register for your Nordiq Canada Coaches License (the link will be sent to you)

• Send your NCCP coaching number to the program administrator

 

In addition to these trainings, you will be given a New Coach Orientation Guide. This guide is specific to KNC and will cover things like where our playground equipment is stored, lesson planning and structure, emergency procedures, the snack routine etc.

 

Commitment: Please see the program pages for the current dates and times of the programs. We ask that you commit to coaching 1-2 days per week for the entirety of the season. All coaches' kids are guaranteed a spot in our programming. 

 

If you have any questions please reach out to the coordinators of the programs you wish to coach for, or, to the KNC program administrator

 

Jackrabbits: kimberleyjackrabbits@gmail.com

 

Track Attack: kimberleytrackattack@gmail.com

 

Adventure Ski: kimberleyadventureski@gmail.com

 

Biathlon: admin@kimberleybiathlon.ca

 

Program Administrator: programs@kimberleynordic.org