Performance Coach Course

IMPORTANT: ONLY APPLY IF YOU ARE CLUB COACH CERTIFIED OR HAVE CONFIRMED WITH YOUR PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL BRANCH THAT YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO REGISTER.  

Please take a moment and read the entire document before registering.  What is Performance Coach?  Performance Coach training & certification is targeted to coaches who aspire to work in a year-round training environment with athletes competing at the U20 and senior national championships.   This context is event group focused. Coaches can choose from Sprints/Hurdles, Jumps, Endurance, Throws, Combined Events and Wheelchair Racing. Para athletics is integrated within each event group.   Coaches will develop and enhance their skills and knowledge in biomechanics, physiology, technical models, nutrition, planning, strength training, mental performance, safe sport, and coach self-care.   LTAD Stage: Train to compete, train to win   

Athletics Canada and our member branches are working at revising and upgrading the Performance Coach requirements. We anticipate launching the new pathway in fall 2022 (after Canada Games).    This means there will be changes to the requirements and delivery of the Performance Coach course. Those who are currently in the pathway for Performance Course are encouraged to complete the requirements of the current cycle before revisions are complete.    Performance Coach is a requirement for all national team applications, as well as for Canada Summer Games, and Sports Études/CÉGEPs/Universities in Quebec.  

 

When/Where Is The Course? 

  • April 15-18, 2022; Toronto (Toronto Track and Field Centre, York University) 

  • April 15-18 2022; Calgary (University of Calgary) 

  • Oct 7-10 2022; Vancouver (Location TBD) 

Learning Facilitators (LFs): 

TORONTO: 

  • Endurance: John Lofranco (QC, coach of multiple national team athletes and team coach for multiple national XC and road running teams) 

  • Sprints: Steve LeBlanc (NB, Director of High Performance for Athletics New Brunswick, head coach of TF & XC for Université de Moncton, team coach for multiple national teams in all event areas) 

  • Jumps: Brett Lumley (ON, Associate Head Coach University of Windsor, team coach for multiple national teams) 

  • Throws: Kim Cousins (AB, former Athletics Canada Para-Throws Coach, team coach for multiple national teams, able bodied and para) 

  • CE: Steve LeBlanc and Brett Lumley 

CALGARY: 

  • Endurance: Mike Van Tighem (AB/BC, Coach of multiple Olympians, team coach for multiple national teams) 

  • Sprints:  Les Gramantik (AB, former Head Coach of Athletics Canada, coach of multiple Olympians)  

  • Sprints: Brenda Van Tighem (BC, former sprint coach at University of Calgary, coach of Olympians and national champions, team coach for multiple national teams) 

  • Jumps:  Carmyn James (AB, former head coach at UBC and University of Hawaii, team and head coach for multiple national teams)  

  • Jumps: Les Gramantik (AB, former Head Coach of Athletics Canada, coach of multiple Olympians) 

  • Throws: Larry Stienke (AB, Head coach at University of Lethbridge, team coach on multiple national teams, coach of Olympians and national record holders) 

  • Combined Events: Les Gramantik (AB, former Head Coach of Athletics Canada, coach for multiple Olympians) 

 

VANCOUVER: 

  • Endurance: Mike Van Tighem (AB/BC, Coach of multiple Olympians, team coach on multiple national teams) 

  • Sprints: Jason Reindl (SK, head coach at University of Saskatchewan, team coach on multiple national teams, coach of multiple national team athletes) 

  • Jumps: Carmyn James (AB, former head coach at UBC and University of Hawaii, team and head coach for multiple national teams)  

  • Throws: Kim Cousins (AB, former Athletics Canada Para-Throws Coach, team coach for multiple national teams, able bodied and para) 

  • Combined Events: Jason Reindl (SK, head coach at University of Saskatchewan, team coach on multiple national teams, coach of multiple national team athletes) 

Learning facilitators may change depending on availability. Coaches should register for one event group. Some sessions will involve all event groups, others will be divided. If there is interest in Wheelchair Racing event group, an LF will be added. 

IMPORTANT: ONLY APPLY IF YOU ARE CLUB COACH CERTIFIED OR HAVE CONFIRMED WITH YOUR PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL BRANCH THAT YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO REGISTER.   Cost:  $450.00. Contact your provincial/territorial branch about potential financial support.   Registration:  email coaching@athletics.ca for the Athletics Performance Coach In-Class Workshops that works best for you.
Registration Deadlines:  

  • Calgary or Toronto: March 1, 2022,  
  • Vancouver: September 1, 2022 

What Else Do I Need To Do?  Note the following requirements BEFORE THE COURSE. Failure to do so will result in removal of the course 

  1. You must be Club Coach certified or have permission of your provincial/territorial branch and Athletics Canada. 
  2. 4 weeks before the course you must submit to the LF: 
    • Yearly Training Plan (YTP) draft  
    • Pre-course assignments (page 13-14 of workbook) Event Audit and Physiological Model 
  3. 2 weeks before the course: coaches must have completed the Performance Coach eLearning courses: 

These will be the last Athletics Performance Coach In-Class Workshops before we add new requirements. Anyone who has not reached a TRAINED status by Dec 31, 2022 will have to complete the new requirements.    Questions? Email coaching@athletics.ca