Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program (AACP)

The AACP is a partnership between the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC), the Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASBs), the Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives (PTCRs), the Canada Games Council (CGC), and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). The program provides the opportunity for each province and territory to send 2 coaches of aboriginal ancestry to the Canada Games in apprenticeship roles.  Please click here for a list of participating sports.

Objectives of the AACP

  • Build coaching capacity within aboriginal communities;
  • Provide aboriginal apprentice coaches with domestic multi-sport games exposure;
  • Provide aboriginal apprentice coaches with professional development and learning opportunities to prepare them for high level coaching and ensure an increase in their level of NCCP ion to a minimum of Competition – Development, Trained. (Apprentices complete training within 12 months following the Games);
  • Expose aboriginal apprentice coaches to elite/high performance coaches; and
  • Ensure aboriginal apprentice coaches are prepared to handle a meaningful role during the Canada Games experience.

Timelines

2017 Canada Summer Games – Winnipeg, MB

  • 2017 Canada Games: July 28 – Aug. 13, 2017

2019 Canada Winter Games – Red Deer, AB

  • Distribution of Program Guidelines, 2019 Games: August 1, 2017
  • Application Due Date: October 15, 2017
  • Coaches Selected: December 1, 2017
  • 1st PD Session: February – April 2018
  • 2nd PD Session and Conference: November 2018, Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif conference
  • 2019 Canada Games: February 2019

  • ELIGIBILITY

    Eligibility criteria for the AACP are:

      • Canadian citizen or landed immigrant status;
      • Aboriginal ancestry as defined by the Aboriginal Sport Circle: Anyone of First Nation (status and non-status Indian), Métis or Inuit ancestry;
      • Coaching experience;
      • Completed some form of NCCP training;
      • Never attended a Canada Games as a “coach” in the sport they are applying to;
      • Never attended the Olympic or Paralympic Games, Pan or Parapan American Games, or Commonwealth Games as a “coach”;
      • Demonstrated potential through the development and improvement of their athletes or as seen by the PTSO or mentor coach;
      • Not already selected to the coaching staff of a province/territory’s Canada Games coaching staff;
      • Identified to have potential to influence, coach, and promote sport in their communities to increase quality coaching in aboriginal communities; and
      • Trained in the ACM. Coaches who are not already trained in the modules may be admitted to the program, but will be required to complete the training before attending the Canada Games. 

    Any exceptions to the above eligibility requirements must be approved by the Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representative before a coach can be admitted into the AACP.