1 Definitions
The following terms have these meanings in this Policy:
1.1 “Coach” – an individual affiliated with a BC Artistic Swimming member Club and intending to
instruct figures or routines on a regular basis and includes Instructor, which is a specific
level of coach who teaches AquaGO! or other recreational programming in BC and within
BC Artistic Swimming’s jurisdiction.
1.2 “In Training” – when a coach has completed some of the required training for a context as
defined by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC).
1.3 “Trained” – when a coach has completed all required training for a context as defined by the
Coaching Association of Canada (CAC).
1.4 “Certified” – when a coach has completed all evaluation requirements for a context as
defined by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC).
2 Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that artistic swimming coaches in British Columbia are
appropriately trained to deliver development programs to improve the skills, abilities and
capacity of artistic swimming participants. Minimum certification and training requirements
ensure programs throughout B.C. align with Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) principles,
National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) pathways, the Responsible Coaching
Movement as well as BC Artistic Swimming’s values statement.
BC Artistic Swimming is committed to ensuring a safe, open and welcoming environment for all
members through the promotion and delivery of ethical and sound coaching practices that align
with the True Sport Principles.
3 In Good Standing
A coach will be in good standing provided that the coach:
3.1 Has complied with their governing by-laws, policies and rules;
3.2 Has completed and submitted all required documents, including the completion of their
individual annual registration in the CAS registration system and the BCAS Coach
Declaration Form in accordance with CAS rules;
3.3 Has made all required payments;
3.4 Is not subject to a disciplinary action, or if subject to a disciplinary action previously, has
satisfied all terms; and
3.5 Is not presently suspended or expelled or had other membership restrictions or sanctions
imposed as a result of disciplinary action by any sport organization.
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4 Scope and Application of this Policy
This policy applies to all BC Artistic Swimming’s coaches and potential coaches. Any individual
registered with a member Club as a coach must adhere to the stipulations outlined herein.
5 Background Screening
5.1 All team officials, 18 years and older, who are assigned coaching duties with athletes under
the age of 18 must complete a Vulnerable Sector Verification (VSV). Team Officials
required to submit a VSV include, but are not limited to, Paid Head Coaches, National
Stream Coaches and Assistant Coaches, Provincial Stream Coaches and Assistant
Coaches, Recreational Coaches and Assistant Coaches and Team Managers.
5.2 All coaches, 18 years or older, who are assigned coaching duties with athletes over the age
of 18 must submit a valid police record check in accordance with the CAS Screening Policy.
5.3 Vulnerable Sector Verifications and police record checks are valid for 5 years and must be
valid through to July 31st of the current season. Note: Unless they expire beforehand, all
current VSVs are valid until August 2021 after which they need to be administered by
Sterling Talent Solutions.
5.4 BC Artistic Swimming reserves the right to refuse a registration application or to identify a
coach’s status as not in good standing in the CAS registration system based on the
outcome of the individual’s screening and/or the failure of the coach to complete a VSV
within the timeframes stipulated by BC Artistic Swimming.
5.5 Screening Disclosure Form
All coaches must submit the Screening Disclosure Form and will be asked to confirm the
accuracy of this information annually as part of the registration process. Participants must
inform BC Artistic Swimming immediately of any changes that would alter their original
responses on this Screening Disclosure Form. The Screening Disclosure Form must be
submitted within the registration deadlines and prior to a coach’s registration being deemed
complete.
*It is the discretion of BC Artistic Swimming and/or the club to accept a VSV that was issued for another organization (i.e. BC Artistic
Swimming may accept a valid VSV for a provincial coach that was issued to a different organization whether it is an artistic
swimming club, sport club, not-for-profit, professional association or employer).
6 Training Requirements
All coaches intending to coach an artistic swimming program delivered by a member club of
BC Artistic Swimming must demonstrate:
a. Completion of the minimum certification requirements outlined below; AND
b. Completion of the NCCP Making Ethical Decisions Training* and Evaluation; AND
c. Submission of valid background screening as outlined, above; AND
d. Completion of the Canada Artistic Swimming Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders**
training; AND
e. Completion of the NCCP Making Head Way training and BCAS-delivered Concussion
Education.
* Effective September 2020, coaches who are new to the NCCP, CAS or BCAS coach development pathway MUST complete the
Making Ethical Decision training AND evaluation.
** Respect in Sport certification is valid for 3 years after which recertification is required.
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7 Certification Requirements by Program
7.1 AquaGO! Program
Individuals must be AquaGO! Instructor In-Training to be on deck instructing AquaGO!. In
accordance with Canada Artistic Swimming policies, AquaGO! Instructor In-Training is
defined as the completion of AquaGO! modules 1, 2, and 3.
Clubs must demonstrate compliance with Canada Artistic Swimming AquaGO! Instructor
standards to be eligible to deliver the AquaGO! program.
7.2 Recreational Programs
Individuals intending to coach recreational programs in a BC Artistic Swimming member
Club must demonstrate the achievement of Synchro Introduction Trained or AquaGO!
Instructor Trained.
A recreational coach may apply for an exemption to requirements 7.2, in accordance with
Section 8 of this policy.
Recreational Masters Coaches are exempt from requirement 7.2 but must demonstrate
compliance with the minimum Training Requirements outlined in section 6.
7.3 Limited Competitive Programs
Individuals intending to coach limited competitive programs and to be on deck at a BC
Artistic Swimming competition must demonstrate achievement of Competition
Introduction In-Training.
In accordance with Canada Artistic Swimming policies, Competition Introduction In-Training
is defined as having completed the following training:
• Making Ethical Decisions Multi-Sport Module and online evaluation
• Making Headway in Sport eLearning
• Emergency Action Plan eLearning
• Teaching and Learning Multi-Sport Module
Coaches who are Competition Introduction (CI) Trained have two competitive seasonsi from
the first day of their CI Course to complete their certification, after which they will not be
permitted on deck at any BC Artistic Swimming competition. An individual coach is eligible
to receive one exemption in accordance with Section 8 of this policy.
7.4 Provincial Stream Programs, Competitive Masters & BC Games Head Coaches*
Candidates intending to coach Provincial Stream, Competitive Masters programs or BC
Games in a Head Coach capacity must demonstrate the achievement of Competition
Introduction (CI) Certification.
Coaches who are Competition Introduction (CI) Trained have two competitive seasonsi from
the first day of their CI Course to complete their certification, after which they will not be
permitted on deck at any BC Artistic Swimming competition. An individual coach is eligible to
receive one exemption in accordance with Section 8 of this policy.
* BC Artistic Swimming recommends that BC Games Assistant Coaches achieve their
Competition Introduction Training, however, at a minimum, they must achieve the Training
Requirements outlined in section 6.
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7.5 National Stream Programs
Candidates wishing to coach National Stream programs in a BC Artistic Swimming Club
must demonstrate the achievement of Competition Introduction (CI) Certification.
Coaches attending and wishing to coach National Stream athletes and programs at Canada
Artistic Swimming events (i.e. National Qualifier or Canadian Championships) MUST meet
the certification requirements outlined in the CAS Rulebook.
Coaches who are Competition Development (CompDev) Trained have two competitive
seasonsi from the first day of their Competitive Development course to complete their
certification, after which they will not be permitted on deck at any BC Artistic Swimming or
CAS competition. An individual coach is eligible to receive one exemption in accordance
with Section 8 of this policy.
8 Coach Certification Requirement Exemptions
8.1 Recreation Coaches
8.1.1 A Coach may request an exemption to the coach certification requirements
provided they comply with the following stipulations:
a) Application must be made, in writing, to BC Artistic Swimming’s Sport
Development Director with a letter of support from the club’s Head Coach
and Board of Directors
b) Exemptions are valid for one year, after which, the coach must comply with
the coach certification outlined herein requirements.
c) An individual coach is eligible to receive one exemption regardless of
movement to a different club. Additional extensions will not be granted.
d) Coaches requesting an exemption must demonstrate the following minimum
standards have been met:
• Any coach 18 years or older must complete the background screening
requirements outlined in Section 5.
• The coach must be registered in a Making Ethical Decisions course –
proof of registration must be submitted with the request for exemption.
• Completion of the Canada Artistic Swimming Respect in Sport for
Activity Leaders certification.
• Completion of the NCCP Making Head Way training.
• Completion of the AquaGO! Training Pre-requisites as outlined on
artisticswimingcoach.ca:
o AquaGO! Pre-Reading Material
o Canada Artistic Swimming LTAD Framework 2.1
o Sport for Life Introduction to Physical Literacy e-learning
o NCCP Coach Initiation to Sport e-learning
8.2 Competitive Coaches
Individual Limited Competitive, Provincial Stream, National Stream, and Competitive
Masters coaches are eligible to receive one exemption to the timeline for completing the
required certification, regardless of movement to a different club, provided:
a) All training requirements outlined in section 6 are complete.
b) The coach demonstrates that they have begun the evaluation process within the two
competitive seasons.
c) The coach demonstrates that they have coached and/or furthered their coach
professional development within the two competitive seasons thus applying the
knowledge from the initial course.
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8.3 Compliance with the stipulations outlined in 8.1 and 8.2 does not ensure an automatic
exemption or guarantee an exemption will be granted.
9 Maintaining Certification
To maintain certified status, NCCP Coaches are required to obtain Professional Development
(PD) points. PD points can be earned through a multitude of activities that coaches already
participate in, including national and provincial sport organization conferences and workshops,
eLearning modules, NCCP workshops, coach mentorship programs, and active coaching.
An up-to-date record of an individual coach’s PD Points in available through The Locker.
10 Demonstrating Eligibility
Each member Club must demonstrate that its coaches meet the minimum training/certification
requirements outlined herein on an annual basis and prior to the start of the season. Proof of
eligibility must be submitted to BC Artistic Swimming no later than one week prior to the start of
the Annual Summit. Proof of eligibility may include but is not limited to:
a) A transcript from The Locker
b) Copies of relevant certificates or diplomas
c) Copies of criminal record checks
11 Failure to Comply with Coach Certification Standards
11.1 Any failure to comply with this Policy may result in disciplinary action under the BC
Artistic Swimming Discipline and Complaints Policy.
11.2 At a minimum, coaches who fail to comply with this Policy will be fined $50.00 for every
BC Artistic Swimming competition in which they participate without demonstrating that
they meet the minimum standards outlined herein. Any and all fines must be paid within
the timelines stipulated by BC Artistic Swimming.
11.3 At the discretion of BC Artistic Swimming, coaches who have failed to demonstrate
compliance with the minimum standards outlined herein will not be permitted on deck
during BC Artistic Swimming competitions and/or may be deemed a member not in good
standing.
