General Info
Coaching with Volleyball Alberta
Coaches play a vital role in shaping young athletes—not only by developing volleyball skills, but by fostering confidence, respect, teamwork, and sportsmanship that last a lifetime. As a coach, you are a leader, mentor, teacher, and role model.
This page provides everything you need to understand the requirements to coach with Volleyball Alberta, including membership screening, education pathways, and certification standards aligned with Volleyball Canada.
If you are looking for Coach Evaluations or NCCP Certification, please visit the Coach Evaluations page.
Volleyball Alberta Coaching Requirements
To ensure a safe, positive, and rewarding experience for athletes, Volleyball Alberta has established coaching requirements for all Premier Tournaments and Provincial Championships, in alignment with Volleyball Canada.
Person in Authority (PIA) Requirements – Part 1
All Rostered Leaders (Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Managers, Trainers) must complete Person in Authority (PIA) Requirements for membership approval by the Volleyball Alberta Screening Designate.
Failure to complete PIA requirements may result in:
- Delays in membership approval
- Inability to be added to team rosters
- Restriction from the bench during competitions
👉 Click the link below to learn more about PIA requirements.
Additional Requirements for Head Coaches (13U–18U)
Head Coaches must also complete:
- Mandatory Head Coach Education (Part 2)
- NCCP Trained or Certified Status (Part 3)
Scroll down to explore all of the detailed information on education pathways and NCCP requirements.
We are excited to see the growth in both the athletes and coaches this upcoming club season. See you on the court!
For Coach Development & Requirements questions, please contact: Mike Ling, Manager, Coaching & Early Stages coaching@volleyballalberta.ca
Part 1 – Person In Authority (PIA) Requirements
Part 2 – Mandatory HEAD COACH Education Requirements (13U-18U)
HEAD COACHES are required to complete additional steps for Volleyball Alberta:
1) Making Head Way in Sport (MHS) eLearning
2) Making Ethical Decisions (MED) Online Evaluation
3) Foundations of Volleyball (FOV) eLearning
* Note 1: Assistant Coaches, Managers, Trainers are not required to do the MHS, MED OE, FOV for VA Premiers or Provincials.
** Note 2: Volleyball Canada DOES require the above courses for Assistant Coaches if competing in Volleyball Canada Nationals.
Head Coach Education requirements must be completed BEFORE the ROSTER LOCK DEADLINE of Premier #2.
Age Class | Premier #2 — Roster Lock Date |
13U Girls | (R) 2 April 2026 — 9:00am |
13U Boys | (R) 9 April 2026 — 9:00am |
14U Girls | (R) 19 February 2026 — 9:00am |
14U Boys | (R) 19 February 2026 — 9:00am |
15U Girls | (R) 12 March 2026 — 9:00am |
15U Boys | (R) 5 March 2026 — 9:00am |
16U Girls | (R) 5 March 2026 — 9:00am |
16U Boys | (R) 12 March 2026 — 9:00am |
17U Girls | (R) 19 February 2026 — 9:00am |
17U Boys | (R) 5 March 2026 — 9:00am |
18U Girls | (R) 12 March 2026 — 9:00am |
18U Boys | (R) 5 March 2026 — 9:00am |
Head Coaches with incomplete Education Requirements will be subject to a fine ($150)
* refer to: Volleyball Alberta Sanctions/Fines/Late Fees ‐ Indoor Season
**Important**
What you see in the Locker under “Certifications” is what we see in the Locker. The Locker can be utilized and considered by coaches as their Coach Transcript.
Making Ethical Decisions (MED) ONLINE EVALUATION
The MED requirement is unique, Volleyball Alberta requires the MED Online Evaluation to be completed in The Locker. Calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
Foundations of Volleyball (FOV) eLearning
Register for the FOV in the Volleyball Connect LMS via Sportlomo login.
Part 3 – Mandatory HEAD COACH NCCP Certification (14U-18U) TRAINED or CERTIFIED STATUS
Head coaches from the 14U to 18U age classes must have further training as part of the NCCP Pathway to earn TRAINED and/or CERTIFIED status. The level of training required will be reflective of a head coach’s number of years in the Head Coach position.
The NCCP training required must be completed prior to March 30, and will be reviewed by Volleyball Alberta staff prior to Provincial Championships.
SANCTIONS:
- Teams not attending VC Nationals: Head Coaches who do not meet the requirements will be subject to a $250 fine, payable to Volleyball Alberta prior to participation in Provincials.
- Teams attending VC Nationals: Head Coaches who do not meet the requirements will be subject to a $250 fine, payable to Volleyball Canada prior to participation in Nationals.
Examples:
Scenario 1: | Example 2: | Example 3: |
I was a 14U Head Coach last season, this year I am a 16U Head Coach. | I was a 12U Assistant Coach last season as, this season I am Head Coach at the 15U age class. | I coached Head Coaches 17U for 2 years. I took a break and haven’t coached for 3 years. This season I will be Head Coach of another 17U team |
Answer: You are a 2nd year Head Coach = Must have completed the DEV.COACH Workshop | Answer: You are a 1st year Head Coach = Must complete the DEV.COACH Workshop | Answer: 3rd year Head Coach = Must have completed the ADV.DEV.COACH AND/OR DEV.COACH Workshop, now entering their 3rd year as HC. ADV.DEV.COACH AND/OR DEV.COACH Certification required (i.e. Coach Evaluation) |
All Head Coaches (14U-18U) listed on any Provincials roster must meet the requirements below for the age category that they are coaching.
DEADLINE: March 30 (annually)
NCCP Certification Table | |
14U 15U 16U 17U 18U | In addition to completion of the Mandatory Requirements, all Head Coaches participating at a 14U 15U 16U 17U 18U Provincials for the 1st/2nd time are required to have successfully completed the DEVELOPMENT COACH WORKSHOP Note: The Advanced Development Coach TRAINED/CERTIFIED Status no longer a requirement for VC Nationals & VA Provincials eligibility but will still be credited if a coach has previously completed the Workshop or Evaluation at the ADV.DEV.COACH level. Click here to see Upcoming Courses and Workshops In addition to completion of the Mandatory Requirements, all Head Coaches participating at a 14U 15U 16U 17U 18U Provincials for the 3rd time or more are required to have CERTIFIED Status at DEVELOPMENT COACH level. |
NOTE: Head Coaches who have achieved CERTIFIED status in their appropriate context are still required to complete the Mandatory Requirements and maintain Active status in the NCCP Locker. Coaches with an ‘Inactive’ status are not eligible. Please refer to Volleyball Canada’s NCCP Certification Maintenance Guide on how to remain Active. A coach that has completed the Advanced Development Coach Workshop but may not have the Development Coach Workshop will still be eligible to Head Coach at Volleyball Alberta Premiers and Provincials. However, we encourage Head Coaches to obtain the Development Coach Workshop. |
Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships Coach Eligibility Requirements
Maintenance of Certification
Volleyball Alberta and Volleyball Canada will follow the Coaching Association of Canada’s (CAC) NCCP Professional Development policy and procedures. Coaches will now receive credit within the Locker database for approved professional development experiences. In order to maintain certification coaches will need to accrue a specific amount of points over a period of 5 years. Please review the CAC’s FAQ for all the details.
The CAC recognizes coaches who are actively coaching with one Professional Development point a year toward their maintenance of certification. Declaring that you are actively coaching is easy. Click here to log in to The Locker, go to your transcript and click the “self-report” whistle icon on the left side of the screen to “Record Active Status”. Don’t forget to come back next year and declare again!
For a summary of how professional development points will be allotted, please see below.
| Activity Category | Points | Limitations | |
| Sport Specific | Active coaching | 1 point/year for every season coached 1 point/year for learning facilitator or evaluator activity | To a maximum of 5 points within 5 years |
| NCCP activity | 5 points/module | No maximum or minimum | |
| Non-NCCP activity* | 3 points for ~3 hours activity | Maximum of 3 hours for 1 multiple day clinic/symposium | |
| Coach self-directed activity* | 3 points for the valid certification period | Maximum of 3 points for certification renewal period | |
| Re-evaluation in context | 100% of the points required for PD credit in the context | No other PD is required if coach chooses re-evaluation | |
| Multi-Sport | NCCP activity | 5 points/module | No maximum or minimum |
| Non-NCCP activity | 1 point/hour of activity up to 3 points maximum | To a maximum of 50% of required PD credit for the context in a certification renewal period |
* For Non-NCCP activities, and coach self-directed activities, coaches must get approval from Volleyball Alberta to confirm that credit can be claimed. Contact Mike Ling for approval. Procedures for submission of PD points is currently being finalized.