Source: Equestrian Canada, www.equestrian.ca

Coach Licensing: Answers to Your Fundamental Questions

The Equestrian Canada (EC) Coach Licensing Program is preparing for its official launch in early 2020 and represents a great step forward for equestrian sport in Canada: the opportunity to make our sport safer for children, athletes and coaches alike.

Since announcing Coach Licensing in November 2019, we've liaised with the equestrian community nationwide to gather feedback and fine-tune the program based what we've heard. We've also received questions concerning fundamental elements of the program, which are answered below:

What type of Coach Licence will I need?

Three types of Coach Licence will be available for purchase. Use the below chart to identify what type of licence best fits your needs.

Junior: $39.95

Standard $239.95 (Certified Coach); $269.95 (Enrolled in Certification); $299.95 (All other coaches)

Plus. $399.95 (Certified Coach); $479.95 (Enrolled in Certification); $549.95 (All other coaches)

Why does the Coach Licence cost so much?

The bulk of the Coach Licence cost comes from the built-in insurance. Active Coach Licence Holders will be automatically covered by Acera Insurance Services with the following:

• $5,000,000 Commercial General Liability Coverage
• $100,000 Professional Liability Coverage
• $25,000 Abuse Coverage

The retail cost of similar insurance policies from Acera ranges from $300-950 (depending on currency of certification/credential). The embedded insurance coverage for the EC Coach Licensing Program is provided at a cost of only $150 plus applicable PST, representing significant savings on industry-leading protection for coaching activities.

When will the Coach Licence be available for purchase?

The Coach Licence will be rolled out in phases during the coming months and available for public purchase the week of May 4, 2020.

What can I do now to prepare?

In the meantime, start chipping away at your training and screening requirements so that you can apply for your Coach Licence as soon as it launches. The materials you can begin to gather now include:

Training

• A standard two-day First Aid training certificate issued by an organization licensed for the delivery of First Aid Training in Canada
• EC Fostering Healthy Environments* training OR  Respect in Sport’s Activity Leaders e-Learning module
• EC Concussion Training* OR NCCP Making Headway in Sport e-Learning module

Screening

• Two (2) reference letters from current students or employers
• Criminal Record Check - Vulnerable Sector**
• Criminal Record Check - ePIC

*Coming soon.

**All coaches born prior to 1986 must complete a Vulnerable Sector Check for their initial Coach Licence. This must be requested in person at your local police station.

Also, don't forget to renew your Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization membership.

Questions? Comments?

For more answers to frequently asked Coach Licensing questions, visit www.equestrian.ca/programs-services/licences/coach-licences.

EC welcomes respectful feedback and open dialogue conducted in a courteous manner. Questions and comments can be directed to coaching@equestrian.ca. Our goal is to get back to you within three business days.

EC remains committed to keeping the Canadian equestrian community informed and engaged with the Coach Licensing Program. Thank you in advance for your continued support, goodwill and confidence. We look forward to working collaboratively as we get ready to launch this important initiative on behalf of our equestrian community.

See Equestrian Canada Unveils Coach Licencing Program, November 2, 2020