Ringette BC Youth Coach in Training Program

Ringette BC is excited to launch the Youth Coach in Training Program for the 2025/2026 season!

This initiative is designed to empower young athletes with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to begin their journey into coaching. Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and leadership development, participants will gain valuable insights into the coaching process while contributing to the growth of ringette in their communities. Ringette BC is committed to fostering the next generation of leaders both on and off the ice, and this program is a key step in that mission.

Program Purpose

The Youth Coach in Training Program is designed to provide youth aged 14–17 with a structured and supportive pathway to begin developing coaching and leadership skills within the Ringette community. Participants will engage with younger teams—including Children’s Ringette, U12, and U14—as positive role models and bench staff, gaining valuable experience under the guidance of trained mentors.

Program Goals

  • Foster leadership, communication, and foundational coaching skills in youth
  • Promote understanding of team dynamics and Safe Sport principles
  • Offer hands-on, age-appropriate coaching opportunities through mentorship
  • Strengthen the future pipeline of qualified and confident ringette coaches

Program Delivery

Ringette BC actively supports the Youth Coach in Training (YCIT) program by hosting both an orientation and a season-end debrief meeting for all participants and their mentor coaches. These sessions provide a space for reflection, guidance, and community building. Throughout the season, YCITs are asked to submit self-reflection assignments at the beginning, midpoint and end, helping them track their growth and learning. Mentor coaches also contribute valuable feedback during these stages, ensuring each youth coach receives personalized support and evaluation.  Each participant also receives a development checklist designed to support goal tracking and personal growth. This checklist outlines key coaching competencies and leadership behaviors that YCITs are encouraged to build throughout the season. It serves as a practical tool for setting objectives, monitoring progress, and reflecting on achievements. Used in collaboration with their mentor coach, the checklist helps YCITs stay focused, motivated, and accountable as they develop their skills in a supportive team environment.

The Local Associations play a key role in supporting Youth Coaches in Training (YCITs) by ensuring they are properly registered in RAMP and actively following all program guidelines. Each YCIT is paired with a mentor coach from their team to foster a comfortable and effective learning environment. Additionally, the Association monitors each participant’s engagement in required training sessions, meetings, and workbook activities to ensure a meaningful and structured development experience.

Participant Resources

Youth Coach in Training Self Reflection Workbook

As part of their development, all Youth Coaches in Training are required to complete structured self-reflection activities throughout the season. These reflections, submitted mid-season and at the end of the program, provide YCITs with an opportunity to assess their growth, identify areas for improvement, and articulate their learning experiences. Using a dedicated workbook or learning journal, participants will document their coaching journey, including insights gained from mentorship, challenges faced, and personal achievements. These reflections are reviewed by Ringette BC to support ongoing development and ensure each YCIT receives meaningful feedback to enhance their leadership and coaching skills.

There are four self-reflections to complete throughout the season:

1 Pre-Program Reflection

(to complete at the start of the season)

2. Ongoing Reflections

(weekly/bi-weekly entries – a minimum of two are required)

3. Mid-Season Check-In

(to be completed half-way through the program, ideally with mentor guidance)

4. End-of-Season Reflection

(to be completed at the end of the program)

YCIT Program Coach Training Requirements

1 YCIT Orientation & Season Debrief Meetings

Participation in Ringette BC’s Youth Coach in Training Program includes mandatory attendance at two key virtual meetings: the YCIT Orientation and the End-of-Season Debrief. The orientation session, held at the beginning of the season, introduces participants to program expectations, training requirements, and the role of a Youth Coach in Training. The end-of-season debrief provides an opportunity for reflection, feedback, and shared learning, allowing YCITs and their mentor coaches to celebrate progress and identify areas for continued growth. Attendance at both meetings is required to fulfill the program’s training criteria and ensure a comprehensive learning experience.

2. NCCP Coaching Course Requirements

To ensure a strong foundation in coaching principles and athlete safety, all Youth Coaches in Training are required to complete a series of nationally recognized courses through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).

These include:

Together, these modules introduce essential topics such as ethical coaching practices, concussion awareness, and creating inclusive, respectful environments. Completion of these courses is mandatory and must be finalized by the specified program deadlines to maintain active participation in the YCIT Program.

3. Development Checklist

The development checklist is a key tool in the Youth Coach in Training (YCIT) program, designed to help participants set goals, track progress, and reflect on their growth throughout the season. YCITs use the checklist to identify specific coaching and leadership skills they aim to develop, such as communication, teamwork, and understanding safe sport principles. It serves as a structured guide during practices and games, helping youth coaches stay focused and intentional in their role. Mentor coaches also use the checklist during feedback sessions to support goal setting and provide personalized guidance. By revisiting the checklist regularly, YCITs gain a clearer sense of their strengths, areas for improvement, and overall development as future leaders in the sport.

YCIT Development Checklist