All volunteers (coaches, trainers, managers, on-ice & off-ice) require specific certifications in order to be rostered to a team or assist with on-ice practices or volunteer off-ice. Volunteers must be at least 2 years older than the age limit of the division in which they are volunteering. All volunteers must be registered with the WSMHA through the Hockey Canada Registry, have their required qualifications completed by November 30 in order to participate with activities and apply for certification reimbursement. Visit the
Certification Reimbursement page on our website for details.
HOCKEY CANADA REGISTRY (HCR) PROFILE
In order to take any online courses, a HCR profile in your name is required. When trying to register for a course and your name can not be found, chances are you do not have a profile. Fill in the
HCR Profile Request Form and the hockey office will create a profile for you.
Do not take any courses before the profile is created, as you will not be given any credit for completing the course. While you are waiting for the profile, you can apply for the Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) from the police department in the region where you live if you do not have one on file, or the previous one submitted has expired. The VSC expires every 3 seasons. Visit the
Vulnerable Sector Check page of our website for details and links.
ON-ICE VOLUNTEER EQUIPMENT & RESTRICTIONS
A CSA certified helmet, skates and hockey gloves must be worn on the ice. Volunteers 13 years old and younger must wear full player equipment including a neck & mouth guard. Helmet straps must be firmly attached at all times while on the ice. On-Ice volunteers can participate in IP instruction and team practices only, they can not be present on the team bench for games. Only rostered staff (coach, assistant coach & trainer) can sign the game sheet and participate in games.
MANDATORY VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
All volunteers (coach, assistant coach, trainer, team manager, on-ice & off-ice) must have the following mandatory requirements.
1. An HCR profile
If you do not have one, fill in the request form and the office will get one created for you.
Volunteer HCR Profile Request Form
2. Registered as a volunteer with the WSMHA
Volunteer Registration Link
3. Respect In Sport Activity Leader Online Course - this course needs to be taken once and does not expire.
Respect in Sport Activity Leader Link
4. Gender Identity & Expression Online Course - this course needs to be taken once and does not expiry.
Gender Identity & Expression Online Course
5. Vulnerable Sector Check - The VSC expires every 3 years and the Declaration Letter must be submitted yearly.
Do not upload your VSC to your HCR profile. Further details can be found on our website at the link below.
Vulnerable Sector Check page (VSC)
COACHES & ASSISTANT COACHES
To be a Head Coach or an Assistant coach, age and participant level appropriate certifications are required in order to be rostered as a team official. Some of the certifications have pre-requisite courses that must be completed. As you advance through the different coaching certifications, if you have taken a pre-requisite course before, you do not need to take it again. Only the new course required to receive a higher certification are needed. Also, they may be a survey at the end of the course that needs to be completed before you receive the accreditation. More details can be found on the
OMHA Coaches Clinics Help.
U7 - U9 House League, Select & MD
Mandatory volunteer requirements above plus the 1 course below.
Head Coach & Assistant Coaches must have Coach - Hockey Canada Coach 1.
No higher qualification will be accepted.
Course required
Coach - Hockey Canada Coach 1
U10 - U21 - House League, Select & MD
Mandatory volunteer requirements above plus the 2 courses below.
Head Coach & Assistant Coaches are required to have Coach - Hockey Canada Coach 2.
Courses required are
***If you have previously completed the HU-Online Checking Clinic, you are not required to complete the Coach - Hockey Canada Skills - Checking course below ***
Coach - Hockey Canada Skills - Checking (pre-requisite)
Coach - Hockey Canada Coach 2
U10 & U11 AA/A
Mandatory volunteer requirements above plus the 2 courses below.
Head Coach -
Coach 2 - Coach Level Certified.
Further details on obtaining "Certified" status can be found on the
OMHA Support Page
Assistant Coach - Coach 2 - Coach Level
Trained
Courses required are
***If you have previously completed the HU-Online Checking Clinic, you are not required to complete the Coach - Hockey Canada Skills - Checking course below ***
Coach - Hockey Canada Skills - Checking (pre-requisite)
Coach - Hockey Canada Coach 2
U12 - U18 AA/A
Mandatory volunteer requirements above plus
Head Coach is required to be
Development 1 "Certified".
Further details on obtaining "Certified" status can be found on the
OMHA Support Page
Assistant Coaches are required to be Development 1 "Trained"
Courses required are
Coach - Hockey Canada Skills - Checking link: must be completed prior to registering for a Development 1 class and the survey must be completed at the end of the course to receive your qualification. If you have previously completed the HU-Online Checking Clinic, you are not required to complete the Coach - Hockey Canada Skills - Checking course.
Making Ethical Decisions Training - Live online Zoom session. This will be held prior to the in-person clinic date. A link will be sent once yo register for the In-Person Development 1 clinic.
For those coaches looking to upgrade from Development 1 Trained to Development 1 Certified, the Making Ethical Decision Online course can be found on the Coach.ca/The Locker website.
Virtual On-Demand Learning Module - You will have access to this module upon registration for the Development 1 class. It is recommended this module be completed before participation in the in-person Coach - Development 1 clinic and must be completed in order to receive your Development 1 Trained qualification.
Coach - Development 1 In-Person link: When registering ensure the Host Organization is the Ontario Minor Hockey Association
Further information on the Hockey Canada National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) on how to become Development 1 Trained or Certified is available on the OMHA website
omha.net/coach. As well details regarding online courses and tracking your progression can be found on the
Coach.ca/the locker. As of May 15, 2021, the
eHockey website was retired and replaced with the new Hockey Canada Registry (HCR). In its place, information regarding the points system is available on the
Coach.ca/the locker. The Coach.ca/the locker is the Coaching Association of Canada's online database where all coaches can track their progress and guide their development. You can view/update personal information and coaching records. Your certification maintenance and professional development points will be tracked and will update your HCR profile.
NCCP for Hockey - Overview
OMHA SUPPORT SITE
The OMHA has a support site with articles that pertain to coaching qualifications, upgrading qualifications, trainers' information. viewing and linking your qualifications. Visit the site for the information that you require.
OMHA Support
TEAM TRAINER REQUIREMENTS
To be a trainer or assistant trainer on any team, the volunteer must have the
Mandatory Volunteer Requirements listed above as well as the Hockey Trainers Ontario Online Course (HTCP). Trainers are not required to have any of the coaches courses. The age requirement for a trainer or assistant trainer is a minimum of 19 years of age and a minimum of 4 years older than the division age of the team for which they will be rostered. The HTCP Level 1 program is valid for 3 seasons including the season of issue. Recertification is required after the 3rd season.
HTCP Course Online Link
CERTIFICATION REIMBURSEMENTS
The WSMHA provides 100% refunds for the minimum requirements needed to be rostered to a team.
Visit the Certification Reimbursements page for details and forms on how to submit a reimbursement claim.
OMHA TEAM OFFICIAL REQUIREMENT CHART
2024 - 2025 Coaches Qualifications