All ASSA Coaches are required to have the following completed to be permitted on deck at practices and competitions.

Coaching Registration Requirements

1. ASSA Registration
   
   All coaches and swimming teachers on deck working with swimmers must be registered with ASSA. Please have your club registrar complete all your coaches' registrations on the ASSA website's update club info page.
    
2. CSCTA & ACC Registration
   
   All coaches and swimming teachers on deck working with swimmers must be members of the Canadian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (CSCTA)and the Alberta Coaches Council (ACC). Registration has now been combined into one simple online process which can be done on the CSCTA website. The minimum acceptable level of association for ASSA coaches is the Summer Swim Coach category.If you are already a CSCTA and/or ACC member coaching with a year-round (SNC) club you do not have to complete a second CSCTA/ACC membership application.
    
3. Background Check
   
   Coaches of the age of majority (18 & up) must complete a background check for the current season. Background checks are now to be completed online. Please navigate to myBackCheck to sign up for a background check. If you have already completed a background check as a member coaching with a year-round (SNC) club you do not have to complete a second background check. If your check requires that you need an identity verification, have the form signed by your club president after showing him/her two forms of photo id and fax it to the toll free number provided.
   
   Background checks done through local police/RCMP departments will no longer be accepted.
   
   Coaches under the age of 18 are not required to submit a background check. Instead, a letter from the club president should be sent, preferably by email, to the ASSA Office indicating the coaches name, date of birth and duties. Should the coach turn 18 during the current swim season, they will need to immediately apply for a background check.

Note: The above listed requirements must be completed every season prior to commencing any coaching activities.

Please send any questions, comments or concerns to your ASSA Coaches Rep.

Coaching Education Requirements

1. NCCP Certification
   
   Coaches must be working towards certification at the Fundamentals Coach level. This is the minimum level of certification required to be eligible to coach in the ASSA. Without a minimum status of "in-training" at this certification level coaches are not permitted on deck; this includes practices and competitions (swim meets).
   
   Additionally, Swimming teachers are now able to get NCCP certification that will allow them to work on deck at practices only. Note: individuals with certification limited to Swimming Teacher are not permitted on deck at competitions (swim meets).
   
   For an overview of the new coaching education system as well as registration procedures please log on to Swimming Canada course management website
   
   Coaches who completed the previous Skills Coach course and have not been assessed should request an assessment immediately using the appropriate form on the CSCTA website. Unless you complete the Skills Coach assessment you will not be considered certified as a Skills Coach and will be required to take the new program regardless of whether you took the original course or not.
    
2. Professional Development
   
   To maintain a current level of certification coaches are required to participate in an annual professional development activity. These can range from clinic attendance to coaching retreats. Please login and report all your PD activities on the CSCTA website.

Upcoming Courses for Coaches

Swimming 101 Coaching Course:

Swim Alberta hosts Swimming 101 Coaching courses.  Please see Swimming Canada course list for a current list of courses. Registration for the course must be done through the Swimming Canada course management website. 

Persons wishing to register must have:

1. Current CSCTA/ACC membership - can be obtained through the CSCTA website. These are annual memberships that are valid from September 1 to August 31.
2. Current SNC membership - can be obtained through Swimming Canada on line registration system. This is an annual membership that is valid from September 1 to August 31. As an ASSA coach, please complete the Unattached SNC Coach Membership Form and fax it to Swim Alberta at  (780) 415-1788.

Please send any questions, comments or concerns to your ASSA Coaches Rep.

Job Postings for Coaches

This ASSA website does not currently post employment opportunities for coaches but the Swim Alberta website does.

The CSCTA website also has a Coaches Job Postings section.