Cheer Coaches’ Certification
Certification Pathway
Our certification process focuses on safety to ensure our athletes receive the best instruction possible and in order to align with the insurance we provide our members. It is mandatory that ALL coaches are certified prior to coaching independently. Coaches must be at least sixteen years of age to become certified.
Certified Coach
The following courses and documents are mandatory for all SCA cheer coaches to be considered certified:
1. Intro to Coaching online exam
2. SCA online cheer safety exams
3. SCA in-person exams (every three years)
4. Concussion Course (one-time)
5. Respect in Sport Online course (one-time)
6. First Aid training OR Sport Injury Prevention and Care (SIPAC) Workshop
7. NCCP modules: 1) Making Ethical Decisions (MED); 2) Planning a Practice; and 3) Nutrition**
** Required for Level 3+/Median Coaches
Coaches will not be considered “SCA certified” until documentation is provided proving all requirements have been met. Coaches who fail to complete certification/re-certification will be subject to fines.
Intro to Coaching and Online Safety Exams
“Introduction to Coaching” is mandatory coaches. The “Intro to Coaching” includes a power-point presentation, which can be helpful through-out the safety exams. Coaches must complete the online safety exam(s) for the level(s) the coach wishes to receive certification in.
All coaches must complete the general safety exam and the level to which they are coaching. The safety exams test the coaches’ knowledge of the ever-changing rules. The SCA reviews the safety exams annually. The online safety exams do not expire, however should the exams be updated due to significant changes in the rules, coaches will be informed that they must re-take the online safety exams.
SCA In-Person Exams
Coaches must also complete the SCA in-person certification exam. This is a one-on-one exam between the coach and an SCA certified examiner. The examiner will ask the coach a series of stunt and tumbling based instruction questions with-in the leveled/divisional parameters. For example, the all star level 1 SCA exam will consist of questions surrounding the instruction of level 1 stunts and tumbling skills. The examiner is looking for answers that demonstrate the coach’s knowledge of how to safely and successfully teach athletes the at level skills for the level/division being tested. Coaches will be informed of their success rate at the end of the exam. Certification cost is $25/level. The SCA certifies up to all star level 6 and Scholastic University Premier. SCA certification expires after three years.
Coaches must certify by progression, meaning an all star coach must be successful at level 1 prior to proceeding to level 2 certification, and so on for all star. For scholastic, they must pass the beginner level prior to proceeding to novice, and so on.
Concussion Training
Concussion awareness training is mandatory for all coaches certification.
Recommended – NCCP – Making Headway in Sport
This free concussion e-learning module will teach you how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion – and also how to respond. The SCA recommends coaches complete this training for their requirements, as it is also the course that Cheer Canada will also require in the future.
Respect in Sport
The Respect in Sport Activity Leader Program educates youth leaders, coaches, and officials to recognize, understand and respond to issues of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination (BAHD). Sask Sport Inc., along with the support of the Saskatchewan Government, has launched this required program for Coaches in the province to help to provide a safer and more respectful sporting environment for all to participate. The online training program is being provided free of charge for all users.
First Aid Training
All coaches must complete their first aid training OR the Sport Injury Prevention and Care (SIPAC) Workshop.
Each year the SCA will offer the Sport Injury Prevention And Care (SIPAC) Workshop to members, but ultimately it is the responsibility of the coach to ensure they have completed the appropriate training.
NCCP Modules
It is mandatory that all high level (level 3/median +) cheer coaches complete the following NCCP modules 1) Making Ethical Decisions (MED); 2) Planning a Practice; and 3) Nutrition
Failure to Certify
SCA coaches/junior coaches (not CITs) who fail to complete certification by December 1st of the current season will individually be subject to a $100 fine for failing to complete their certification in a timely manner. In addition, coaches actively coaching in Saskatchewan without certification will result in coach ineligibility at SCA sanctioned events until certification is completed. In some cases, coaches will be subject to loss of coaching membership. This policy came into effect July 1, 2021.
Failure to Re-Certify
Certified coaches that consecutively coach for 4 years (ie throughout their certification expiration date) and fail to renew their certification by December 1st of the current season will individually be subject to a $250 fine for failing to complete their re certification in a timely manner. This includes any portion of their certification that can be subject to renewal under the current SCA coaching certification program (updated 2020). In addition, coaches actively coaching in Saskatchewan without certification will result in coach ineligibility at SCA sanctioned events until certification is completed. Coaches will receive 1 email reminder no later than September 1st of the current season to renew their certification, but ultimately it will be up to the coach to track and be responsible for their own certification. Coaches with questions about the status of their certification may email executivedirector@sca.ca for an update at any time. This policy came into effect July 1, 2021.