Coach-in-Training Program

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The ACA is pleased to offer a Coach-In-Training (CIT) Program for cheer athletes who are 14-18 years old and are newly embarking on their cheer coaching journey. The ACA offers this program for FREE to ACA members.

The ACA CIT program works in partnership with scholastic teams and all-star clubs throughout the province. The ACA provides the training and materials, while schools and all-star clubs provide teams and mentor coaches for CITs to work with. Schools and clubs that participate accept CITs that are currently within their programs or, in the case of schools, may be graduating from their programs. Each school or club may have additional requirements in place that must be met to participate in the ACA CIT program within that school or all-star club.

The CIT program includes a virtual training session, and a workbook that the CIT completes monthly with the assistance of their mentor coach. The CIT then actively implements the workbook lessons into the practices of the team they are assigned to throughout the season with their mentor coach.

What will I learn?

As a CIT, you will:

  • Gain valuable experience in the coaching field.

  • Work under the supervision of an experienced coach (your Mentor Coach).

  • Be directly involved in choreography, routine preparation, and daily practice procedures.

  • Become educated in either scholastic or all-star cheer.

  • Be exposed to opportunities to further your education in the sport through ACA Coach Certification.

  • Earn volunteer hours for your coaching resume in the sport you love!

When does the program start and end?

Review the program’s Timelines.

Note:

Scholastic and All-Star programs operate on slightly different schedules. Scholastic runs from September to mid-April, and All-Star runs from August to June. CITs will need to follow the lesson schedule to fit within their season.

How do I participate?

1. Review the Program.

Review all CIT information on the website and contact us to clarify any questions.

2. Obtain Program Approval to Participate.

Contact your scholastic program director or club owner/manager to confirm your participation as a CIT within their program. You MUST have approval from your school/club to participate as a CIT.

3. Confirm a Mentor Coach & Team.

Confirm with your scholastic program director or club owner/manager what team you will be assigned to and who your mentor coach will be as you will need this information to register.

Please note that your mentor must be an ACA-certified coach in good standing with an ACA-registered school program or all-star club.

4. Register.

Register for the program. If there are no upcoming sessions, please contact us at coach@albertacheerleading.ca to advise of your interest. 

5. Attend the CIT training session (2 hours).

6. Become a member.

CIT membership with the ACA is required to participate in the CIT Program. The timing of membership registration is dependent on when the system opens, which may occur before or during participation in the program.

What does the program consist of?

1. Training Session

An experienced ACA-certified facilitator conducts this 2-hour virtual session. A CIT workbook is sent to the CIT before the session.

2. Workbook Completion

The CIT workbook consists of monthly exercises and reflections for the CIT to complete with guidance from their Mentor Coach. Exercises consist of:

  • Attending scheduled practices, camps, and competitions.

  • Observing their Mentor Coach and other senior coaches within the program.

  • Participating in the choreography of competition routines.

  • Assisting in the preparation and execution of practices.

At the conclusion of the season, the workbook is submitted to the Mentor Coach for review and evaluation.

3. CIT Program Feedback Form

The CIT Program Feedback Form is completed by the CIT at the end of the season and is submitted to the ACA. The information received informs us of your experience and helps us to improve the program for future CITs.

4. CIT Evaluation Form

The CIT Evaluation Form is completed by the Mentor Coach at the end of the season and submitted to the ACA as the final program document.

5. Certificate of Completion

Upon completion of the program and any additional requirements such as ACA membership, the CIT will receive a Certificate of Completion in PDF.

How much time is involved?

CITs will gradually increase the amount of time they are actively participating in coaching duties. For example:

  • In the first few weeks, their role will be more observational.

  • In the first quarter, they should be involved in instructing approximately 40% of the time.

  • In the second quarter, their instructional time should increase to approximately 65%.

  • In the third quarter, they should be involved in instructing approximately 80% of the time.

  • In the last quarter, they complete the final project in which they are the lead coach for 100% of a practice.

CITs are expected to meet with their Mentor Coach regularly to review the workbook activities and discuss feedback.

Alberta Cheerleading Association
Email: coach@albertacheerleading.ca