What is NCCP certification?

The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is Canada's official coach education and certification system, delivered in partnership with the Government of Canada, provincial and territorial governments, and national sport organizations like Archery Canada. It's managed by Coaching Association of Canada. It's been running since 1974 and is used across more than 60 sports nationwide.

For archery specifically, NCCP-certified coaches complete formal training covering technical coaching skills, athlete safety, and program management — not just how to shoot, but how to teach it correctly and safely. Coaches are certified after completing and being evaluated on each level of the program.

I hold NCCP certification (NCCP# 7167654) as an Instructor of Beginner Archers, and I'm currently working toward the Intermediate certification.

Why it matters when choosing a coach

Archery coaching isn't a licensed profession in Canada — technically, anyone can offer lessons without any formal training. NCCP certification is what separates a coach who has been formally trained and evaluated from someone who's simply self-taught. It's also the standard required to register as a Coach Technical Member with Archery Canada and Archery Ontario, and the qualification Ontario schools specifically require for archery instruction under provincial safety standards.

In short

It's a meaningful signal that your coach has been trained not just to shoot well, but to teach safely and effectively towards your goals.