Coaching

To have a successful soccer season, Didsbury Minor Soccer (DMSA) needs the help of parents, guardians, family members, and friends to serve as volunteer coaches.

• Per Canada Soccer's Rule to Two, each team requires two coaches (one male and one female for co-ed teams) and as such, we are always in need of coaches. We prefer to have 3-4 coaches per team so that there is coverage if a coach is unavailable on certain days. 
• No background in soccer or coaching is required for the U5, U7, or U9 age groups.  
• We support our coaches through approved training programs and grassroots instruction. 

Volunteer coaches will receive:

• The opportunity to participate in a coaches clinic.
• Reimbursement of any training costs that have been recommended by DMSA.
• A manual of suggested drill activities for your age group.
• Support from the division's coach coordinator.
• All necessary equipment including balls, cones, nets, etc.

Compensation for coaches:

• Coaching is a volunteer role but we recognize the personal contribution of each coach with a $50 cash gift at the end of the season, contingent on the coach completing the season. 

What are the requirements to coach?

Canada Soccer and the Alberta Soccer Association set out expectations for training of coaches. The key thing to remember is you don't have to be an experienced soccer player! If you coach other youth sports, it's possible you have already completed some of the requirements.

Requirements for all Age Divisions

1. Register through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) to receive an NCCP #. This is free and only takes 5 minutes. 
   • This allows most training you complete to be registered with your NCCP account for easy tracking. 
2. Obtain a vulnerable sector check from the RCMP.
   • If you have completed this check within the last three years, we will accept the previous report if there have been no changes. 
   • Email didsburysoccer@gmail.com to receive a letter that you can take to the local RCMP detachment. 
   • Start this process early because it can take up to a few weeks for the RCMP to complete the check. 
3. Complete the Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders online course.
   • This online training covers topics such as the Rule of Two, Duty of Care, and how to recognize and respond to bullying, harassment, and discrimination and related information to promote respect and safety for players and coaches. 
   • The time commitment is about 2.5 hours and can be completed online at your own pace and on your own schedule. 
   • The cost is $30 and DMSA will reimburse the full cost. Just email a copy of your receipt to didsburysoccer@gmail.com. 
   • Note: If you have coached other sports recently, check to see if you have already completed this course. 

Additional Recommendations/Requirements for Each Age Division

In addition to the above requirements, the following outlines additional training that is either recommended or required depending on the age division you are coaching. 

U5 Division - Recommended (but not required) Training

U7-U9 Divisions - Recommended (but not required) Training

U11-U13 Divisions - Required Training

The U11-U13 teams complete against other teams in the Big Country Soccer Association region and have the opportunity to compete in provincials. This requires coaches to meet a higher standard for training. DMSA strives to have at least one coach per team to have completed all of the following requirements. 

U15 Division - Required Training

The U15 teams complete against other teams in the Big Country Soccer Association region and have the opportunity to compete in provincials. This requires coaches to meet a higher standard for training. DMSA strives to have at least one coach per team to have completed all of the following requirements. 

Will I be reimbursed for my training costs?

Yes! Didsbury Minor Soccer will reimburse coaches for all fees paid for the above training. To seek reimbursement, email your receipt to Chief Coach Coordinator, Darren Reedy, at didsburysoccer@gmail.com.  

Do I have to complete this training every year I coach?

No. If you have already completed a course, you don't need to do it again. 

Is there an opportunity to meet other coaches and ask questions?

Yes, we will be hosting a coaches information session on April 24, 2025 at 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Details will be emailed to all volunteer coaches and parents who might be interested. 

How do I sign up to coach?

If you are interested in coaching, please take the following steps, in order:

1. Email DMSA's Chief Coach Coordinator, Darren Reedy, at didsburysoccer@gmail.com to express your interest. 
2. Register for an NCCP # (instructions above). 
3. Register as a coach through our online registration system.
   1. If you have used RAMP before to sign your child up for soccer or any other sport, you can use the same email and password.
   2. Once you are logged in, select Coach Registration, the division you want to coach, and select either Head Coach or Assistant Coach. We don't differentiate between head coaches and assistant coaches so it doesn't matter which option you select. 
4. If you don't have a current vulnerable sector check within the last three years, then begin the vulnerable sector check process as early as possible because the RCMP may take a few weeks to complete the check. Email didsburysoccer@gmail.com for a referral letter that you must take to the RCMP detachment. Submit your vulnerable sector check results to the Didsbury Minor Soccer Chief Coach Coordinator, Darren Reedy at didsburysoccer@gmail.com.
5. Complete the required Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders online course (instructions above). 
6. If you are coaching U5, U7, or U9, consider completing any of the recommended training (details above). 
7. If you are coaching U11, U13, or U15, please complete the required training (details above). If you do not have the capacity/interest in completing all of the required training for your division, please discuss with the Chief Coach Coordinator, Darren Reedy. 

Any questions about coaching may be directed to didsburysoccer@gmail.com.