Coach Requirements

Coach & Volunteer Requirements

Background Info – Soccer Canada Licensing

Canada Soccer now implements a club licensing process in conjunction with their provincial counterparts to promote Safe Sport. Corunna Soccer is in the process of becoming licensed.

All clubs associated with Ontario Soccer must obtain a minimum level as a Quality Soccer Provider. There are many requirements that must be fulfilled to obtain this status. Among them are minimum requirements for coaches. Below are the requirements we must now implement for recreational soccer. There are also optional courses for those who wish to go an extra step or may be interested in coaching at a competitive level or taking teams to competitive sanctioned festivals/tournaments.

For more information about the licensing program, please visit Canada Soccer’s website.

Mandatory Requirements for All Volunteers

(exceptions made for those parents only needing access to the pitch in case of emergencies) These are the 2024 requirements for recreational level coaches.

Coaching in Canada Module

Available as part of any Long Term Development course through Canada Soccer.

RESPECT IN SPORT

All team officials are required to complete Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders (or have a current certificate within 5 years). Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders is transferable from other sports/organizations, i.e. if you obtained one through Hockey Canada, it is also good for Ontario Soccer.

BACKGROUND CHECK/VULNERABLE SECTOR CHECK

  • All team officials must submit a background check that includes a vulnerable sector check that is no older than 3 years.
  • Team officials whose checks are still valid must submit an annual Disclosure Form.

Coaches Meeting

All coaches are required to attend a pre-season meeting to learn policies, requirements and expectations.

Optional Courses

See below for more information. These are required for coaches of teams that go to competitive-level festivals and tournaments.

  • Any Long Term Player Development Course
  • Make Ethical Decisions *
  • Making Headway in Soccer *
  • Understanding the Rule of Two *
  • Emergency Action Plan *

*Available through The Coaching Association of Canada. Create a profile and then E-learning. From there look through “Multi-Sport” and “Soccer” courses.

Screening Policy

Please take a read-through of this document. It outlines a lot of important information that is in place not only for the safety of the kids in our care, but for you, as well.

Corunna Soccer Volunteer Screening Policy 2025

Ontario Soccer Screening Handbook

Coaching in Canada and Grassroots Coaching Courses

The Coaching in Canada module is part of every Grassroots Coaching course. You will need to purchase the entire course even if you are only doing Coaching in Canada.

FUNdamentals: U6-U8
Learn to Train: U10-U12
Soccer for Life: U13+

To learn more about each course, visit the Ontario Soccer website.

To register for a course, visit Canada Soccer’s shop.

Coaches are reimbursed for the cost of their courses. To submit a claim, please email the receipt of payment to the Club Head Coach.

Grassroots Coach Education Courses

Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders

The Respect in Sport Program assists coaches, referees, trainers and managers with identifying and dealing with abuse, neglect, harassment and bullying in sport.

The online course costs $30 and the curriculum is divided into six modules, which only take 2.5 hours, and can be completed at the user’s own pace. Once completed, certification is portable to other sports involved in Respect in Sport.

If you take Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders as a requirement for the soccer program, your cost will be reimbursed by submitting proof of payment to the Club Head Coach.

Respect in Sport FAQ

Sport Certification Registration Instructions

Take the RESPECT IN SPORT Course

Vulnerable Sector Check

A Police Vulnerable Sector Check is required of all persons aged 16 and older.

Corunna residents can obtain their checks online through the OPP.

Documents needed:

  • Personalized letter (sent by the Administrator after your registration is received)
  • Two original forms of ID of which one must be a photo ID:
    • Driver’s Licence
    • BYID – Bring Your Identification, issued by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO)
    • Military Employment Card
    • Canadian Citizenship Card
    • Indian Status Card
    • Passport
    • Permanent Resident Card
    • PAL (Possession & Acquisition Licence issued by the Chief Firearms Office)
    • CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) Card
    • Ontario Photo ID Card (issued by the MTO)
    • NEXUS Card
    • FAST Pass
    • Photo Student Card (for aged 15 and under only)

Acceptable forms of non-photo identification:

  • Birth Certificate
  • Baptismal Certificate
  • Hunting Licence
  • Outdoors Card
  • Canadian Blood Donor Card
  • Immigration Papers

OPP Background Check

Now what?

Once you have taken the RIS for Activity Leaders course and have obtained your background checks, please email the relevant documents to the Club President. Be sure to also email copies of your receipts so you can be reimbursed.

Be sure to check out the coaching resources. Ontario Soccer has provided many practice plans and there are lots of websites with great ideas, too.