Beginning with the 2026–2027 season, SCA will no longer offer the previous online Performance Cheer technical certification exams. The exams did not include the educational component required by Cheer Canada for coach certification.

Performance Cheer coaches will instead complete their technical coach education through the ICU Education Platform using the Global Coaching Techniques (GCT) – Performance Cheer pathway.

ICU Global Coaching Techniques

The GCT pathway combines coach education with knowledge assessment and includes two required modules:

Module A – Global Coaching Techniques
Module A introduces foundational coaching principles applicable to both Cheerleading and Performance Cheer, including general and specialized training concepts. Coaches work through educational videos and complete short quizzes throughout the course to reinforce key concepts.

Module B – Performance Cheer
Following completion of Module A, Performance Cheer coaches complete the discipline-specific Module B. The course expands on athlete safety and technical development, including:

• levels, rules, terminology and participant responsibilities;
• athlete safety, equipment use, body awareness and spotting;
• conditioning and training principles;
• the principle of perfection before progression;
• novice fundamental skills; and
• intermediate fundamental skills.

Module A is a prerequisite for Module B.

Successful completion of both Module A and the Performance Cheer Module B is required to earn the ICU Global Coaching Techniques Certificate and Blue Medallion. The credential is valid for four years from the date of completion.

Cost: $65 USD for both modules.