become a coach
Anyone can start the process of becoming a gymnastics coach: an athlete, parent or any other interested individual. Everyone starts on the same path to become a certified coach.
The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) has training for all levels, from recreational to high performance.
Getting Started
To begin taking NCCP courses, you must turn 15 years old no later than on the weekend of a course you would like to attend. This is a national rule and there are no exceptions.
All coaches must be registered with Gymnastics BC to take part in association-sanctioned competitions and courses. All member clubs must register their coaches with Gymnastics BC. If you are already registered with a member club as an athlete, judge or volunteer, you are covered; just ask your club’s representative to update your registration to also include coaching.
- Artistic: including women’s (WAG), men’s (MAG), and active start (0 to 6 years old).
- Trampoline: Learn more about this discipline on the trampoline & tumbling web page.
- Acrobatic: If you are interested in learning more about the acrobatics discipline, please contact us.
- Aerobic: If you are interested in learning more about the aerobics discipline, please contact us.
- Rhythmic: Rhythmic gymnastics coaching courses are available through the BC Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics Federation.
Gymnastics BC offers coaching courses throughout the year. Check our calendar for a complete listing of courses.
Coach Certification
The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) has training for all levels, from recreational to high performance.
Resources
- The Coaching Operations Manual is available on the Policies and Procedures page (see bottom of the page). It includes information about NCCP certification, coaching requirements, and more.
- BC minimum NCCP certification standards available on pages 9-10.
- Evaluation Challenge (review this process on the Gymnastics Canada website)
- GBC one-time exemptions (contact)
- Coach.ca
- Upcoming NCCP coaching courses
Gymnastics Foundations Pathway Overview
Gymnastics Foundations
In order to become a trained Gymnastics Foundations (GF) coach, a participant must attend a series of three training courses, as described below.
- GF Introduction
- GF Theory
- A Discipline specific GF course (e.g. Active Start, Artistic, Trampoline and Rhythmic). The discipline specific courses are the third course a coach attends.
Active Start – coaches are introduced to the active start approach and learn how to work with preschool age children. They will be prepared to coach participants aged six months to six years.
Artistic – coaches learn the Fundamental Movement Patterns (FMPs): stationary positions, landings, locomotion, rotation, spring and swing. Coaches also learn basic skills specific to artistic gymnastics and will be prepared to coach recreational artistic participants aged six years to teens (Both MAG and WAG).
Trampoline – coaches learn progressions and safety tips for teaching basic jumps, body landing skills, adding twist before or after a skill and combination skills specific to trampoline gymnastics. Coaches will be prepared to coach recreational trampoline participants.
Rhythmic – coaches learn about body posture, locomotion, apparatus manipulation for rope, hoop, ball, ribbon and scarves as well as basic skills specific to rhythmic gymnastics. Coaches will be prepared to coach recreational rhythmic participants.
For course descriptions, pre-requisites, and age requirements, see the Coaching Operations Manual available on the Policies and Procedures page.
In order to qualify to take a course, you must be at least 15 years of age, in accordance with NCCP policy. You may also be required to meet certain educational requirements before registering for courses (e.g. if you want to become NCCP Competition 1 Artistic certified, you must first be NCCP Gymnastics Foundations Artistic trained or certified).
Please see the ‘Getting Started’ section above to learn more about NCCP age requirements.
Have questions? Email
In order to become a trained Gymnastics Foundations (GF) coach, a participant must attend a series of three training courses, as described below.
- GF Introduction
- GF Theory
- A Discipline specific GF course (e.g. Active Start, Artistic, Trampoline and Rhythmic). The discipline specific courses are the third course a coach attends.
Respect in Sport (RiS) is a grassroots online program designed to assist coaches in identifying and dealing with abuse, neglect, harassment, and bullying in sport.
It is mandatory for you to successfully complete the program within 30 days of course completion in order to proceed with becoming certified. Failure to complete the Respect in Sport program may result in a $50.00 penalty for non-compliance.
Please request that your club forward your Respect in Sport certificate of completion to GymBC.
Following completion of the three Gymnastics Foundations courses (including the online MED evaluation), you must assemble your “Coaching Portfolio” and complete the Gymnastics Foundation evaluation process.
1. Coaching Portfolio
Download and complete the GF Coach Evaluation Guide.
2. Complete your coach evaluation
In order to become certified, you must be evaluated by a Gymnastics Canada Trained Coach Evaluator. To organize your evaluation, inquire with your club lead coach or supervisor. The coach evaluator will require a copy of your completed GF Coach Evaluation Guide (see above).
3. Submit your completed evaluation
Your coach evaluator must submit your completed evaluation to Gymnastics BC via email.
Interested in taking courses beyond Gymnastics Foundations (e.g. Comp 1, Comp 2, Recreational Parkour, Level 2 Trampoline, etc.)? Check out our Coaching Operations Manual available on the Policies and Procedures page.
When you registered for your first course, you created an NCCP number. You can use that number to check the status of your certification process.
Visit the CAC Locker and log in with your NCCP number to access your coaching records, update your personal information (name, address, e-mail address etc.), obtain a printable official transcript (showing your name and address) and more!
NOTE: Please wait at least one month from the date of your coach evaluation submission or course completion to check your locker.
