Coaches
Benefits
Coaching is a rewarding way to participate with the club. Some of the many benefits include:
- Early registration
- Discount
- Free coaching training
- Free skills sessions
- Club t-shirt (or alternate item) that participants also receive
- Volunteer appreciation evening at end of season
- Discounted nine-session passes and rental
We attempt to place new coaches with experienced coaches. Coaches have a great time meeting and working with other coaches. And there is nothing more fulfilling than teaching children new skills and watching them grow over the season while they have a great time!
Commitments - 2012/13 Season
If you are interested in coaching with the club, some basic cross country skiing skills are required. This includes knowing how to ski the classic technique (diagonal stride), double pole, snow plow and ski comfortably up and down hills. Although the ability to skate ski is also desirable, it is not an absolute necessity since new coaches do receive some training with that technique. Coaches will be expected to teach and demonstrate both techniques. Although we will attempt to place you with the age group that you desire, you are expected to
Those volunteering as a Skills Development Program coach for the 2012/13 season are expected to commit to the following:
- November 2 (evening) and 3 (all day) - Introduction to Community Coaching course, for new coaches only.
- October (evening, exact date TBA) - Track Attack coaches organizational meeting (Track Attack coaches only).
- November (evening, exact date TBA) - Jackrabbit/bunny coaches organizational meeting (Jackrabbit/bunny coaches with session coordinators).
- November 23 (evening) - 25 or November 30 (evening) - December 2 - Community Coaching course, for new coaches only.
- December 1 - Refresher ski session for returning coaches.
- December 8/9 - February 16/17 - Coach nine Jackrabbit or Bunny program sessions of your selected session. Some coaches will need to coach the weekday evening sessions as well. We expect coaches to attend each of their sessions, although arrangements can generally be made if it is necessary to miss one or two sessions. New coaches are partnered with experienced coaches whenever possible. The season for Track Attack coaches starts as soon as Cypress Cross Country opens for skiing.
Coaches not fulfilling these commitments will not be allowed to coach in future seasons (arrangements can be made if you need to miss one or at most two program sessions). See the Coaching and Courses Schedule for further details and a calendar that includes other advanced coaching courses. There may be coaching courses offered on alternative dates in neighbouring communities. See the Cross Country B.C. Course Schedule for a full course offering listing.
The club requests references for new coaches and will review all new coach applications. The coaching coordinator will contact coaches after registration has closed regarding training and other related activities. All coaches will be required to complete a criminal record check (any related fees are covered by the club).
Note that coaches will not be assigned to coach their own children, and if you are a parent that is skiing with a bunny, you cannot also coach.
Since we base our registration numbers on the numbers of coaches volunteering, anybody withdrawing as a coach after committing to do so can expect their family's registration to be cancelled (with the ensuant 15% fee on the refund). The Club reserves the right to decline an individual's request to return as a coach if it has been determined that, in prior years, they did not meet the commitments expected of them, as outlined above.