Coach Certification
SCA Coach Certification
Aligned with Cheer Canada’s National Certification Pathway
Requirements and Pathways
Everything you need to know to coach with confidence, lead with integrity, and create a safe and positive environment for athletes in Saskatchewan!
The SCA Coach Certification Requirements & Pathways establishes the education, safety and technical credential requirements for coaches participating in SCA-sanctioned programming.
Guiding Principles
- Athlete safety is the foundation of coach certification.
- SCA requirements align with Cheer Canada’s national coach certification pathway.
- Technical certification must match the level or discipline being coached.
- NCCP education increases progressively with the level of coaching responsibility.
- Performance Cheer technical credentialing is completed through the International Cheer Union (ICU).
- Coaches are responsible for maintaining current credentials and providing required documentation to the SCA.
Why Certification Matters
SAFETY & INSURANCE – Supports safe instruction and appropriate liability coverage.
COACH CONFIDENCE – Creates clear provincial standards and expectations.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – Builds technical knowledge and coaching skills.
NATIONAL ALIGNMENT – Connects Saskatchewan coaches to Cheer Canada’s national pathway.
SCA Coach Pathway
Transition to the Updated Certification Pathway
Cheer Coaches
Cheer Canada’s technical certification process replaces the former SCA ClassMarker online exams and SCA in-person technical exams for cheer coach certification.
- A current SCA in-person technical certification remains recognized until its existing expiry date.
- A coach with a valid SCA technical certification is not required to immediately complete the new Cheer Canada technical certification.
- When the existing SCA technical certification expires, the coach must transition to the Cheer Canada certification pathway and complete the required online technical component and hands-on evaluation.
- A coach seeking certification at a higher level must complete the applicable Cheer Canada requirements for that higher level, even if their existing lower-level SCA credential has not yet expired.
Performance Cheer Coaches
The International Cheer Union’s (ICU) Coaches Education Course replaces the former SCA ClassMarker online exams exams for performance cheer coach certification.
- A current SCA certification remains recognized until its existing expiry date.
- A coach with a valid SCA certification is not required to immediately complete the ICU Coaches Education Course.
- When the existing SCA certification expires, the coach must transition to the ICU courses and complete the Global Coaching Techniques Cheer & Performance Cheer: Module A & B
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 administation fee 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.
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 administation fee for failing to complete their recertification in a timely manner. This includes any portion of their certification that can be subject to renewal under the current SCA coaching certification program. In addition, coaches actively coaching in Saskatchewan without certification will result in coach ineligibility at SCA sanctioned events until certification is completed.