Coach

Maintenance and renewals

Canada Soccer is committed to the improvement of ongoing coach education nationwide.  We are still awaiting our approval into the Concacaf Coaching Convention, which will allow coach licensing upgrades into that pathway.  As such, we have decided to postpone all upgrades to 2025, allowing us more time to finalize our plans with Concacaf. Any expired licenses will be extended for an additional year, on the condition that individuals are compliant with Canada Soccer’s Safe Sport Roster, which encompasses the following prerequisites:

  1. Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen
  2. NCCP Make Ethical Decisions Module and/or Online Evaluation
  3. Respect in Sport Activity Leader Program
  4. NCCP Making Headway Module
  5. NCCP Emergency Action Planning Module
  6. NCCP Understanding the Rule of Two Module

To receive your extension for 2025, please contact Sarah Ouellette (souellette@canadasoccer.com) and submit your valid Criminal Record Check (dated within the last two years) and NCCP transcript reflecting the necessary training.

Canada Soccer Announces Concacaf Coaching Convention Upgrade Process 

Canada Soccer is very pleased to announce the process and timelines for upgrading the Canada Soccer C Diploma, B Diploma, Youth Licence, and A Diploma to align to the new standards of the Concacaf  Coaching Convention. 

In December 2024, Canada Soccer earned recognition as one of the two founding members of the Concacaf Coaching Convention at the A, B, and C Diploma levels. In accordance with the Concacaf Coaching Convention, all Canada Soccer Advanced Coach Education Program licenses issued prior to 2024 will be required to undergo an upgrade as part of the maintenance and renewal process. 

What is the Concacaf Coaching Convention? 

The Concacaf Coaching Convention is an agreement and regulatory framework established by Concacaf (the governing body for soccer in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean). Its primary goal is to standardize and elevate the quality of coach education programs delivered by its Member Associations, including Canada Soccer. 

Key aspects include: 

  • Establishing minimum standards for coach education programs. 
  • Promoting coaching excellence across the region. 
  • Allowing for mutual recognition of coaching qualifications across Concacaf Member Associations, providing greater opportunities for coaches. 

Canada Soccer Licence Upgrades 

Canada Soccer is upgrading non-Concacaf licences to meet the requirements of this convention starting in 2025 and concluding in 2030. This involves upgrades to the C Diploma, B Diploma, Youth Licence, and A Diploma. 

Further Information (FAQ) 

For specific details regarding coach eligibility requirements, learning plans, and the step-by-step process for the licence upgrades, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section available on the Canada Soccer Learning Hub website. This will provide comprehensive answers to common queries about the transition. 

Upgrade Timelines 

The upgrades will begin rolling out according to the following general schedule and will have a limit of participants per intake: 

  • Initial cohorts for the upgraded A Diploma will launch in August 2025 (applications opening in May with invitations confirmed on July 1). 
  • Initial cohorts for the upgraded B Diploma will launch in July 2025 (applications opening in May with invitations confirmed on June 8). 
  • Initial cohorts for the upgraded C Diploma will launch in October 2025 (applications opening in May with invitations confirmed on September 1). 
  • 2026: Rolling intake cohorts for the A Diploma (twice a year) B Diploma (three times annually) and C Diploma (four times annually) will commence throughout the year. 

Please consult the FAQ document for specific application and course dates for each cohort. 

We trust this information provides an initial overview of the Concacaf Coaching Convention and the upcoming licence upgrades.