Coaches
Coaches' Role
For parents of young talented golfers, it is important to understand the type of supervision that is required and the appropriate interventions that must be done at each level of development. To have a better understanding of everyone’s role, it is important to be aware of the specific interventions and differences between a teacher and a coach.
The teacher* mostly works on the technical development of the swing:
•Teaches specific sport skills;
•Works with participants of various skill levels;
•Works in a non-competitive context most of the time;
•Works in a punctual and short-term context.
The coach* has a global approach:
•Works in a competitive context aiming for the achievement of a specific performance;
•Provides the athlete with a multi-dimensional approach including a vision and development plan of the physical, technical, tactic, and mental aspects of the game;
•Targets and prioritizes the improvement of an athlete’s competitive skills;
•Trains the athlete with a long-term perspective.
* Definition: Coaching Association of Canada - CAC
The coach is a very useful resource in the athlete’s development. He plays a key role as an advisor to the parents and their child. He provides them assistance with the identification of their short, medium and long-term goals, advises them on the competitions that should be added to their calendar, and designs an annual (or seasonal) training plan including technical, strategic, psychological, and physical training aspects corresponding to the development level of the young golfers and based on his goals.
It is important to choose a coach who will be able to adapt his expertise to the child’s capacities. As the child is in a very important stage of his live and that he is growing quickly, it is appropriate that the coach’s approach varies depending on the age, competences and game.
This being said, the presence of a coach is not mandatory for every children. The analyses of everyone’s needs and desires should be considered to determine the type of support each athlete should seek for.
NCCP Training Program
The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is a coach training and certification program for all coaches in 65 sports. It is offered in the two official languages throughout Canada. The NCCP workshops are designed to meet the needs of all types of coaches, from the first-time community coach to the head coach of a national team. The NCCP is recognized as the national standard in terms of coaching training and certification in Canada. In this program, all coaches are trained on taking ethical decisions and sport security.
Since 1997, the NCCP has moved towards a competency-based approach where coaches are becoming more efficient and have a more significant influence on the athletes’ experience.
Each year, more than 50,000 coaches take an NCCP workshop. Since the program began, in the 70’s, more than 1 million coaches have participated, making it one of the largest adult education programs in Canada. Yet, those who actually are benefiting from this program are millions of young sport participants who are well supervised by experienced coaches, certified through the NCCP.
However, times are changing and we must change as well. New discoveries are made, new methods are made available, and new skills are introduced. While continuing to give the coaches the tools they require to become seasoned community partners, the program was subject to a number of changes in the past few years. Following a major review, the Coaching Association of Canada adapted the NCCP to adapt it to the actual training environment. Among important changes to our philosophy include a transition from “what the coach knows” to “what the coach can do”. This transformation towards a competency-based and expected results approach was the key factor to remodelling the program.
The main improvements of the program include:
- Prioritization of the coaches’ competences; the certification is based on their practical skills and not only on theories;
- The program’s structure is more flexible; it takes into consideration the realities of each sport, the profiles of each coach, and the type of environment in which they evolve;
- The training and certification of coaches are based on the practical needs of participants.
NCCP coordination in Québec
Sports-Québec coordinates the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) in Québec, promotes and coordinates the theory level as well as the multisport stages of the NCCP as agreed with the Secretary of Leisure and Sport.
The PGA of Québec promotes and coordinates the technical and practical levels that are specific to golf for the Québec Golf Federation.
Coaches' Information
Responsible Coaching Movement - Rule of Two in a Virtual/Online training setting
Discover the Community Golf Coach training
Our Coaches
Golf Québec is proud to present to you its team of
regional and provincial coaches who are working closely with our young
golfers.
- Fred Colgan, Provincial Coach, Head of Excellence Development
- Pierre Lalonde, Regional Coach of Montréal-South
- Derek Mac Donald, Regional Coach of Ottawa
- Jonathan Lambert, Regional Coach of Saguenay/Lac St-Jean/Chibougamau/Côte-Nord
- Yannick Bibeau; Regional Coach of Mauricie
- TBA, Regional Coach of Lower St. Lawrence
- Martin Morency, Regional Coach of Montréal-North
- Guillaume Cloutier, Regional Coach of Québec City
- Pierre Lallier, Regional Coach of the Eastern Townships
- Patrick Loiselle, Regional Coach of Abitibi-Témiscamingue