Coaches and Officials

Triathlon Canada has defined two certifications programs: Community and Competition. Both programs begin with the same process: Basic Registration. Details of the process can be found here. Course information and scheduling for non-triathlon specific courses is available at www.coachingnl.ca.

Basic Registration

At the end of basic registration, a prospective coach is registered with Triathlon Canada as a coach and is eligible to move on to Community and/or Competition coaching training. Basic registration includes:

1. Establishing an account with the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and receiving an NCCP account number.
2. Registering with Triathlon Canada and affiliating with Triathlon NL through the National Triathlon Registration System.
3. Completing a criminal background check. (If working with anyone < 19, also request a Vulnerable Sector Check.)
4. Completing the Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders module (use the link under Triathlon Specific Courses).
5. Completing the CAC module “Making Ethical Decisions”.
6. Completing Triathlon Official Level 1 training with Triathlon NL or the new officials training course from Triathlon Canada.

Community Sport Coach

Community coaches tend to concentrate on one of two areas: Youth or Adults. The youth-specific pathway is still under development, but will be similar to the adult pathway. To be certified as an adult community coach, the following steps are required:

1. Complete Basic Registration (above).
2. Complete the Triathlon Canada NCCP Community Coaching Course –> “In-Training”
3. Complete the five required CAC multi-sport modules: Teaching and Learning, Nutrition, Basic Mental Skills, Planning a Practice, Design a Basic Sport Program –> “Trained”
4. Complete an evaluation process and in-competition assessment; and 100+ experience hours –> “Certified”

Competition Coaches

There are two levels of competition coaches:

1. Competition Coach: Works with young and elite athletes who are committed to the sport of triathlon and are in full-time training programs towards achieving continual performance improvement. This level is required for coaching at competitions such as the Canada Summer Games.
2. High Performance Coach: Works with elite athletes aiming at international and Olympic competition. Completion of the competitive stream is a prerequisite. This certification level is still under development.

The competition coaching pathway is more detailed and technical than the community pathway. Requirements include:

1. Completion of Basic Registration.
2. Complete the eight required CAC multi-sport modules:
   • Be trained as a community coach, or complete Planning a Practice, and Building a Basic Sport Program
   • Conflict Management
   • Leading Drug-free Sport
   • Coaching and Leading Effectively
   • Developing Athletic Abilities
   • Prevention and Recovery
   • Psychology of Performance
   • –> “In-Training”
3. Complete one of the Triathlon Canada NCCP Training Pre-requisites (based on need):
   • Swimming Canada – Swimming 101
   • Cycling Canada – Skills & Tactics (Road)
   • Athletics Canada – Club Coach (Endurance)
4. Register for Competition Certification (mentoring)
5. Mentor Meeting – introduction to Individual Performance Plan (IPP) and Yearly Training Plan (YTP) –> “Trained”
6. Complete IPP/YTP Tool with Mentor
7. In-competition assessment and portfolio assessment; coaching experience –> “Certified”

TriNL will include the courses here as they become available. Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders: Contact admin@nulltrinl.com to receive a code which you will use to pay for your registration for this program. Click on the logo to access the program.  

Triathlon Community Coaching (Adult)

This course was last offered in April of 2019. We will look at offering the course again in 2020 based on demand. If you are interested in participating in a future offering of the course, please advise admin@nulltrinl.com so we can understand demand and keep in touch.

Swimming 101

This course is usually offered once or twice a year in the province. Check the Swim Canada course schedule here to see local offerings.

Coaching NL

Check the Coaching NL web site here for the list of scheduled courses and use the links to the NCCP locker to register for courses. You can also email Coaching NL for updates on the course schedule, or before a new schedule has been released.

Participation in sports is a great way for children to learn skills, develop fitness habits, and build a solid understanding of teamwork and sportsmanship. It helps youth build confidence, self-esteem, and can foster positive body image development. Adult athletes can realize similar benefits and contribute to their long-term health and a happy life.

Coaches have a responsibility to provide a safe and encouraging environment for their athletes. Athletes of all ages should expect their coaches to provide such an environment, and that those coaches have developed the capabilities to assist athletes in their advancement in sport.

Triathlon NL works with Triathlon Canada and the Canadian Coaching Association under the National Coaching Certification Program. This comprehensive program ensures that listed coaches have the proper training for their level of activity, as well as a firm understanding of their responsibilities as a coach. Triathlon NL has also pledged to align our practices with Phase 1 of the Responsible Coaching Movement which includes ensuring that all coaches have ethics training and criminal background checks, and that coaching is conducted under the Rule of Two.

Parents and athletes should have confidence that coaches registered with Triathlon NL have been trained and certified according to these practices.

Triathlon NL’s Responsible Coaching Policy.

Registered Coaches

• Will Duggan, #6335561 – Competitive Coach – In Training
• Casidhe Dyke, #862596 – Community Coach (Adult) – In Training
• Rob Gamberg, #331609 – Community Coach (Adult) – Certified
• Sherry Grewal, #987422 – Community Coach (Adult) – In Training
• Amy Henderson, #6206390 – Community Coach (Adult) – In Training
• Christiane Martin, #705840 – Community Coach (Adult) – Certified
• Paul Moores, #168963 – Community Coach (Adult) – Trained
• Sherrie Myers, #6335561 – Community Coach (Adult) – In Training
• Stephanie Nevin, #1146360 – Competitive Coach – In Training
• Jeff Pawley, #6262047 – Community Coach (Adult) – In Training
• Chris Young, #6347390 – Competitive Coach – In Training

The development path for officials begins with a Level 1 Course. TriNL intends to hold Level 1 Courses every year.

Official Development Path

Provincial Technical Official 1: A race official capable of reporting and enforcing rule infractions, usually employed as an assistant to the head official at a local or provincial event. A level 1 official is mentored by higher level officials and will be subject to an evaluation process. Provincial Technical Official 2: Works at provincial level events in roles such as Technical Delegate, Head Official, and Sector Lead, and can present the level 1 course. Level 2 requires participation in a level 2 course and passing an evaluation/mentorship process. National Triathlon Official (Mentoring) 3: Works at national and international events as head official, sector lead, or official under the mentorship of a full NTO official, and can present both level 1 and level 2 courses. National Triathlon Official: Works at national and international events in all roles, presents level 1 and level 2 courses, and may be assigned to mentor level 3 NTOs.

Triathlon Official Level 2

TriNL is looking at offering this course in the summer of 2020, in St. John’s.