Become a Coach
Are you interested in coaching at the community or provincial level?
We offer both non-contact and contact coaching pathways through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC).
Our standardized, safe, and inclusive coach education and training programs will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to achieve your coaching goals.
If you’re ready to start, follow the steps below!
Step 1: Contact a Football NL Member
Ready to start your coaching journey? The first step is to reach out to a Football NL Member and let them know you're interested in becoming a coach.
Ask to be added to their Coaches List — this is how you'll begin the process.
Click here to view Football NL Members
Already on the list? Great! You’re ready to move on to the next step.
Step 2: Complete and Submit a Criminal Record Check (CRC/VSC)
All Football NL coaches are required to complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC) with a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). The check must have been completed within the past 12 months to be valid. Approved CRC/VSCs are valid for 3 years and must be renewed when expired.
✅ How to Get Your CRC/VSC for Free
To get a free CRC/VSC, send the following information to the Football NL Communications
- Your full legal name
- Your email address
- Your NCCP number
You’ll receive a Volunteer CRC/VSC Request Letter by email. Print this letter and take it to your local RNC or RCMP detachment.
What to Bring
Bring the following with you:
- The Volunteer CRC/VSC Request Letter
- Two pieces of government-issued ID (one must include a photo)
- A photocopy of both pieces of ID (front and back) on a single sheet of paper
Note: This process can take up to 2 weeks.
Submitting Your CRC/VSC
Once you receive your CRC/VSC, take a clear photo of the document and email it to the Football NL Communications.
Be sure to keep a copy for your records — your club or member organization may ask to see it.
Step 3: Create an NCCP Number
To continue, you'll need an NCCP Number. This is created through The Locker, the online platform for coach training in Canada.
Click here to create your NCCP # in The Locker
Already have an NCCP number? Perfect — you can skip this step.
Not sure if you already have one? You can use the “Look up my NCCP #” tool before creating a new account:
Please do your best to avoid creating duplicate accounts. If you've tried all options and still can't locate your number, it's okay to create a new one.
Step 4: Complete Coach Requirements in The Locker
Please review the following carefully, as some requirements apply to Community Flag (CF), Community Tackle (CT), Provincial Flag (PF), and/or Provincial Tackle (PT) coaches.
If you have already completed a course in The Locker and it is showing as complete, you do not need to retake it.
Any course that requires payment, will be reimbursed by the association.
Mandatory Courses for All Coaches (CF, CT, PF, PT)
- CAC - Safe Sport Training
Online E-Learning – CLICK HERE
Free - CAC - Understanding the Rule of Two
Online E-Learning – CLICK HERE
Free - NCCP - Making Headway in Sport
Online E-Learning – CLICK HERE
Free - NCCP - Make Ethical Decisions
In-Person or Virtual Course – CLICK HERE
Free
Community Coaches (CF, CT) Only
- NCCP - Community Novice Coach: Flag / Tackle / Combined
Online E-Learning – CLICK HERE
$14.99 each for Flag or Tackle, or $19.99 for Combined Course
Football NL suggests taking the Combined Course in case you want to transition between Flag and Tackle coaching.
Tackle Coaches (CT, PT) Only
- NCCP - Safe Contact Workshop
In-Person Workshop (price and dates to be posted when available). Clubs may contact Football NL for details.
Note: Football Canada has updated the previous Safe Contact content (originally from 2014) and now offers a Safe Contact 2.0 online refresher course.
The original Safe Contact workshop needs to be renewed every 5 years. If you’re unsure, log into The Locker and check your certification date under Profile > History.
If you have not taken the original Safe Contact workshop before, you must take the full workshop first — the 2.0 refresher cannot replace it.
Once eligible, take the Safe Contact 2.0 Refresher course.