Performance Cheer Coach Certification
Certification Pathway
Our performance cheer coaches’ 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.
Performance Cheer Certified Coach
The following courses and documentation are mandatory for all SCA Junior performance cheer coaches to be considered certified:
1. Intro to Coaching Online Exam
2. SCA Performance Cheer Coaches Online Certification Exams
3. First Aid training OR Sport Injury Prevention and Care (SIPAC) Workshop
4. Concussion Course (one-time)
5. Respect in Sport Online course (one-time)
6. 50 hours proof of performance cheer/dance training and/or instruction experience (letter of reference)
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 & Online Certification Exams
be helpful through-out the remaining exams.
The online exams consist of:
– “Rules and Safety” exams for All Star and Scholastic – Coaches must complete the exam(s) for the appropriate team(s) they are coaching.
– “Skills and Scoring” exams. This applies to the three categories currently offered by Cheer Canada and the SCA: Pom, Jazz and Hip Hop. Coaches must complete the exam(s) for the categories they are coaching.
First Aid
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.
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.
50 hours Proof of Training/Instruction Experience
Performance cheer coaches must submit 50 hours proof of dance (performance cheer) training and/or instruction experience (letter of reference, instructor credentials, certificate/degree, etc.). This can be emailed to Ailish – membership@sca.ca
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.