Dare I say, there may be light at the end of the COVID tunnel?! Managing through the past 18 months of uncertainty has posed some of the most significant challenges and threats our industry have ever faced. For me personally, launching new sport development programs and managing an overhaul of existing ones in this environment has been the most challenging undertaking of my professional career. Yet, it is through adversity that we are all given the opportunity to learn, grow and ultimately given the opportunity to rise to new heights. I believe the future is bright as we reflect back and look forward to 2022!
Sport Development Team
The sport development team continues to grow to be able to serve you better. We are pleased to officially welcome Janelle Bruce as our new Coordinator, Coaching; joining Anna Johnson, Manager, Sport Development and I in the Sport Development team. In November we look forward to welcoming a new Coordinator, Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (REDI) & Safe Sport.
Darlene Kastner and Sylvie Tanguay will also continue to provide program support for the Coach Status program and other sport development programs as required.
Coach Status Program
As we get ready for 2022, the Coach Status Program remains at the top of our priority list. With this program we are seeking to elevate the standards for equestrian coaching and promote a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all as we work towards having every coach licenced and certified by 2025.
Since the program launch in December 2020, more than 1,000 coaches have applied for status, with status issued to more than 700 coaches to date. Our goal is to have 1,000+ statuses issued by the end of December 2021 and 2,000+ coaches by July 2022.
Coaches who have been issued Coach Status have provided proof of appropriate insurance, been screened, completed mandatory training in the areas of concussion, the recognition and prevention of maltreatment in sport, and First Aid. In addition, licenced coaches have had the currency of their certification validated, shown proof of relevant post-secondary education or received a certification exemption based on established track record as a coach and strong character references. Individuals who participate in the Coach Status Program are also bound by Equestrian Canada’s Code of Conduct and Ethics and agree to participate in EC’s third party complaints process, should complaints be received.
As 2022 approaches, now is a great time to start your application! Coach status is valid for a full year from the date that your status is first issued, so there is no need to wait for 2022 renewals to start the process. Coach Status will become mandatory to coach at EC sanctioned competitions in 2022.
Over the next four to six weeks, we will be introducing two new statuses, a coach-in-training status for individuals working towards their certification and an ‘On-leave’ status for coaches taking maternity leave or taking extend periods of leave (e.g. for personal development, injury, to take care of elderly family members etc.).
Additional details will also be released regarding the progression of minimum standards to obtain a certification exemption for licenced coach status leading up to 2025, and what will be required to maintain a certification exemption once certification becomes mandatory to apply for status.
ECampus passes 1-year milestone
As this year’s National Coaches’ Week came to pass, we were also able to celebrate one-year since the launch of the ECampus, EC’s hub for eLearning and live training opportunities. Since its launch, there have been close to 5,000 eLearning course completions, with the catalogue of online courses continuing to grow.
Check out our catalogue of eLearning courses and access links to external courses at: https://campus.equestrian.ca/catalog.php
We have also built our live training calendar to include both EC offerings and an increasing list of external learning opportunities. As we build out the calendar, our goal is to promote consistent, reliable and predictable access to education opportunities from coast to coast to coast.
EC continues its commitment to creating a safe, high-quality experience for all who participate in equestrian sport across our country. The Coach Status Program is a reflection of that commitment and an investment in the future of equestrian sport in Canada.
For questions regarding Coach Status Program, please email coaching@equestrian.ca.