Coach Development

PLEASE NOTE, the coaching pathway graphics are currently being updated.

PLEASE NOTE, the coaching pathway graphics are currently being updated.

This course is designed to enable coaches to acquire basic skills so that players new to the game learn to play safely, with enjoyable competition. It is an 8 hour participation  course with no post-course evaluation. This course can be delivered in a single day or in a blend of online and in-person sessions.

The presence of sport in a person’s life carries enormous benefits for social, physical and personal development while broadening cultural awareness. Rugby is a uniquely inclusive sport, and you as the coach hold a position of genuine influence over a player’s rate of personal development and their sense of community and self-worth.

In this course you will learn about your role as a coach, principles of play in rugby, safe and engaging practice design and how to safely coach the areas of contact.

Prior to registration coaches must complete the following:

• NCCP Make Ethical Decisions (https://coach.ca/nccp-multi-sport-training-modules)
• WR Rugby Ready  (https://passport.world.rugby/)
• WR Concussion Management for the General Public (https://passport.world.rugby/)
• WR Introduction to Coaching (https://passport.world.rugby/)
• WR Key Factor Analysis 

Once all pre-requisites are complete, coaches can register for the workshop here: https://training.rugbycanada.ca/

PLEASE NOTE, the coaching pathway graphics are currently being updated.

This course is designed to provide coaches with the skills needed to coach teenage and adult players in a club or school environment. It is extremely important that coaches have an understanding of rugby before taking this course, which is delivered over 18 hours. This course can be delivered over 2 days or in a blend of online and in-person sessions.

The presence of sport in a person’s life carries enormous benefits for social, physical and personal development while broadening cultural awareness. Rugby is a uniquely inclusive sport, and you as the coach hold a position of genuine influence over a player’s rate of personal development and their sense of community and self-worth.

In this course you will dive deeper into the coaching process and the technical/tactical aspects of the game.

Prior to registration coaches must complete the following:

• NCCP Make Ethical Decisions (https://coach.ca/nccp-multi-sport-training-modules)
• WR Concussion Management for the General Public (https://passport.world.rugby/)
• WR Laws of the Game (https://passport.world.rugby/)
• WR Functional Role Analysis (https://passport.world.rugby/)
• WR Keep Rugby Clean

Once all pre-requisites are complete, coaches can register for the workshop here:  https://training.rugbycanada.ca/

 

Evaluation

Once all prerequisites and the course have been completed, coaches can proceed to evaluation. Evaluation includes the following:

• NCCP Make Ethical Decisions online evaluation
• Observation(s) of a practice (in-person or video submission)
• Submission of a portfolio

For more information about the evaluation process please contact your provincial union.

PLEASE NOTE, the coaching pathway graphics are currently being updated.

This course is designed for head coaches and lead coaches of adult rugby programs who are responsible for leading and managing programs in their clubs and schools. The course is aimed at experienced coaches who have a demonstrated commitment to professional development.

The in-course component consists of 32 hours and can be delivered over 2 weekends or in a blend of online and in-person sessions and covers the following topics:

Module 1: Selection and succession planning
Module 2: Developing a team profile
Module 3: The game profile
Module 4: Patterns of play (attack and defence)
Module 5: Developing a game plan
Module 6: Achievement strategies (periodisation)
Module 7: Sport Science
Module 8: Risk Management and laws
Module 9: Game day management

This course is by invitation only and applications must be submitted directly to Rugby Canada.

Applications and any questions should be emailed to Jackie Tittley, Manager of Training and Education at jtittley@rugby.ca. Coaches who are interested but do not feel ready to begin the process can also contact Jackie Tittley for more information on how to prepare.

Please note, two important updates to the NCCP Competition Development/WR Level 3 course:

1. There will not be a course offered in 2024. There will instead be a series of online professional development sessions for coaches interest in the course. Please check back here for updates and how to register. The next NCCP Competition Development/WR Level 3 course will be offered in 2025.

2. All NCCP multi-sport modules are now mandatory pre-requisites for application to the course. Applications without all pre-requisites completed will not be considered.

Application Information and Selection Criteria

Applications must include:

- A letter of endorsement from your provincial union*
- The application task completed using athletes of the coach’s current program. This task can be completed using Fifteens or Sevens athletes. (Please click here to download the application task)
- A coaching resume (including personal contact information)
- A cover letter (must include identification of the team the coach is currently working with and that will be used for the application of the course tasks)
- Submission of game film of the coach’s current program

*Professional and National Team Coaches can go directly to the National Union for letter of endorsement

Selection Criteria:
- Quality of application task
- Team Environment/Context (To ensure the coaches are working with a senior team in a lead role throughout an entire season)
- Past coaching experience and education (Certified NCCP Competition Introduction/WR Level 2 or equivalent)
- Demonstrated commitment to continuing education

*To create the best possible learning environment for each individual, Rugby Canada is limiting the number of participants of this course to 12.

Evaluation:

- Quality of application task
- Team Environment/Context (To ensure the coaches are working with a senior team in a lead role throughout an entire season)
- Past coaching experience and education (Certified NCCP Competition Introduction/WR Level 2 or equivalent)
- Demonstrated commitment to continuing education

*To create the best possible learning environment for each individual, Rugby Canada is limiting the number of participants of this course to 12.

Evaluation:

Once all prerequisites and the course have been completed, coaches can proceed to evaluation. Evaluation includes the following:

- NCCP Make Ethical Decisions online evaluation
- NCCP Managing Conflict online evaluation
- NCCP Leading Drug Free Sport online evaluation
- Observation(s) of a practice (in-person or video submission)
- Observation(s) in competition (in-person)
- Submission of a portfolio

WR Sevens Level 1:

The Introduction to Coaching Sevens is an attendance based course delivered over 8 hours. It is intended for a coach of a group of players working under the guidance of a head coach, coaching co-ordinator, or Union scheme.

On successful completion of the course, the coach will be able to:

• Be aware of the history and format of Sevens
• Be aware of the variations in law and characteristics of the Sevens game
• Be aware of aspects of coaching process
• Be aware of principles and play and coachable components of Sevens
• Gain some experience in coaching Sevens

The course will be delivered through a range of methods and will be highly interactive. Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to practice your coaching skills. Grasp this opportunity for feedback from your World Rugby Educator and your peers.

Prior to registration, coaches must complete the following:

• WORLD RUGBY – Rugby Ready online module
• WORLD RUGBY – Concussion Management for the General Public online module
• WORLD RUGBY - WR Beginners Guide to Rugby Union
• WORLD RUGBY - Introduction to Coaching

WR Coaching Sevens Level 2: 

Prior to registration, coaches must complete the following:

• WR Concussion Management for the General Public 
• WR Rugby Ready 
• WR Laws of the Game 
• WR Introduction to Coaching 
• WR Functional Role Analysis 
• WR Key Factor Analysis 
• WR First Aid in Rugby 
• WR Introduction to Strength and Conditioning (Select 1) 
• Save your World Rugby certificates to your computer as PDF’s
• Return to your profile at training.rugbycanada.ca and upload all three certificates to your profile
• Register for the course you wish to take

Maintenance of Certification

Rugby Canada and its Provincial Unions recognize the value of having NCCP certified coaches that are engaged in Professional Development programs which reinforce the values of lifelong learning and sharing amongst the coaching community.

In order for NCCP certified coaches to maintain their certified status, they will be required to obtain Professional Development (PD) points. PD points can be earned through a multitude of activities that coaches already participate in, including: national and provincial sport organization conferences and workshops, eLearning modules, NCCP workshops, coach mentorship programs, and active coaching. In most cases coaches are already earning their required PD points -- Maintenance of Certification is simply the policy that has introduced tracking these points and recognizing coaches for their efforts.

Log into the Locker for an up-to-date record of your PD points. For examples of opportunities to accumulate PD points, check out the pages below, and if you still have questions, check out the FAQs!

Multi-Sport Modules

Self Reporting and Active Coaching

Frequently Asked Questions

NCCP Community Initiation/WR Level 1

NCCP Community Initiation does not require an evaluation, a coach can only receive a 'Trained' status. A certified status is only available if the coaching course offers the opportunity to be evaluated.

An NCCP Community Initiation 'Trained' coach is not required to accumulate PD in order to maintain their certification. If an NCCP Community Initiation 'Trained' Coach attends any Professional Development workshops/seminars etc., this will still be recorded on the coach's transcript on the locker, but as a record of attendance.

NCCP Competition Introduction/WR Level 2

The NCCP Competition Introduction context has an evaluation, a coach has the opportunity to be evaluated and to receive a 'Certified' status.

An NCCP Competition Introduction 'Certified' coach must accumulate 20 PD points over a 5-year period in order to maintain their certification. If an NCCP Competition Introduction 'Certified' coach does not accumulate 20 professional PD with 5 years, this will be reflected on their transcript as 'Certified Not-Renewed'.

In order to renew their certification, a coach will have to meet the PD points required. Once they acquire the 20 PD points, their status will be updated from 'Certified Not-Renewed' to 'certified'.

NCCP Competition Development/WR Level 3

An NCCP Competition Development has an evaluation, a coach has the opportunity to receive a 'Certified' status.

An NCCP Competition Development 'Certified' coach must accumulate 30 PD points over a 5-year period in order to maintain their certification. If an NCCP Competition Development 'Certified' coach does not accumulate 30 PD points within 5 years, this will be reflected on their transcript as 'Certified Not-Renewed'.

In order to renew their certification, a coach will have to meet the PD points required. Once they acquire the 30 PD points, their status will be updated from 'Certified Not-Renewed' to 'Certified'.

World Rugby offers several online modules whose aim are to help novice and experienced coaches to deliver age and stage appropriate conditioning coaching to their players.

Introduction to conditioning – Children

This course is designed to provide coaches with a basic knowledge and understanding and a foundation of practical skills with regards to conditioning practices for rugby playing children.

Introduction to conditioning – Youth

This course is designed to provide coaches with a basic knowledge and understanding and a foundation of practical skills with regards to conditioning practices for the youth rugby player.

Introduction to conditioning – Adult

This course is designed to provide coaches with a basic knowledge and understanding and a foundation of practical skills with regards to conditioning practices for the adult rugby player.

For more information on Basic and Advanced Face to Face Strength and Conditioning courses, please contact the Manager of Training and Education here.

What is Activate? 

Activate is a structured, progressive exercise programme that is designed to be used as part of training sessions and pre-match warm-up routines. 

The programme was developed using scientific evidence and expert opinion, whilst feedback from active coaches helped to ensure that the programme is suitable to use across community-level rugby settings. 

To download resources, click HERE

There are four versions of Activate: 

Under-15 (Age 13–15 years) 

Under-16 (Age 15–16 years) 

Under-18 (Age 16–18 years) 

Adult (Age 18+ years) 

 

Each version contains several progressive phases to be used throughout the playing season. 

All versions of the programme share a similar structure and contain the same types of training activities: 

• balancing and hopping exercises to improve general movement control 
• bodyweight and partner resistance exercises to develop lower and upper body strength and control 
  plyometric exercises to develop lower and upper body power 
• landing and side-stepping to develop control and technique when performing these activities during play 

Research has shown that the programme can reduce the number of injuries to muscles and ligaments (by 26-40%) and the number of concussions (by 29-60%) in youth and adult community-level rugby players. Using the programme more frequently has also been shown to further lessen injury risk. 

 

What are the benefits of using Activate? 

Using Activate with players will help to develop and improve their: 

• General movement control and skill – Many of the exercises in Activate can help to develop the stability and mobility that underpin the safe and effective performance of various movements when playing rugby 
• Conditioning and athletic performance – The progressive nature of Activate can help to improve parts of players’ athletic performance; such as: strength, power, running speed, and ability change of direction efficiently 
• Physical robustness – Using Activate can help to develop the ability of muscles, tendons, and ligaments to handle the forces they experience when playing rugby, leading to a lower risk of these structures being damaged when playing rugby and other sports. 

NCCP Rookie Rugby FAQs