As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics this year, we are taking a look back at the #50moments that have defined the Special Olympics movement here in B.C. and throughout the world.

Launched in 1974, the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is the Coaching Association of Canada’s flagship program and has been identified as a world leader in coach education. It is currently the largest adult continuing education program in Canada.

The NCCP gives coaches the confidence to succeed and is designed & delivered in partnership with the government of Canada, provincial/territorial governments, and national/provincial/territorial sport organizations. The NCCP has been specifically designed to train coaches to be able to meet the needs of the specific athletes they are coaching.

Coaches participate in training opportunities that will enable them to return to their coaching environment with specific skills that can be implemented immediately.

In 1987 the NCCP launched its first Level 1 technical course for Special Olympics BC. The move opened the door to raise the level of coaching of SOBC athletes at the Local, provincial, and national level. Now the program consists of four parts: SOC volunteer orientation, NCCP Special Olympics Canada competition sport workshop, NCCP Making Ethical Decisions competition, and the NSO (National Sport Organization) sport-specific course. All coaches are asked to complete two courses within their first year of coaching SOBC athletes and must have all courses prior to taking athletes to any competition. 

Our NCCP coaching program focuses on what a coach can do, instead of what a coach knows. It provides the knowledge and skills that will lead to enhanced ability and attitudes to successfully coach in the Special Olympics environment, ultimately giving the athletes the best sporting experience.

Lois McNary, Vice President, Sport for SOBC, says the addition of the NCCP has been an incredible teaching tool for the organization.

“The training has helped our coaches bring enthusiasm, commitment, and a positive attitude to the table,” McNary says. “Whether it’s a practice, an event, or a competition, by having nationally certified coaches means we can enrich the lives of the athletes in Special Olympics.”

For more information on the NCCP courses, please contact Lesley Thornley at lthornley@specialolympics.bc.ca.