Coaching and Bench Staff Requirements and Courses


The OWHA sets minimum requirements for all team staff positions.

In order to roster your team with the OWHA, these minimum requirements must be met.

Requirements are submitted online during Ramp Registration. It's each individual's responsibility to maintain their profile and meet all requirements.

Requirements for all positions

  1. Create a Spordle My Account and obtain your HCR number.
  2. Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders
  3. Gender Identity and Expression Course
  4. Criminal Reference Check 
  5. Vulnerable Sector Screening 

Representative Coach Requirements

 Head Coach Certification:

U9 must hold the Coach 1-Intro to Coach qualification

U11 to U18B/BB must hold Development 1 'Trained'         

**Development 1 'Certified' preferred

Assistant Coach Certification:

U9 must hold the Coach 1-Intro to Coach qualification 

U11 to U18 B/BB must be Coach 2 Trained

**D1 Trained preferred

House League Coach Requirements

U7-U9 Fundamentals must hold the Coach 1-Intro to Coach qualification

U11-U18 All Coaching Positions must be Coach 2 Trained

Coaching Courses and Certification Links

 All of these courses and certifications are offered through the OWHA and the OMHA, at the following links:

https://www.owha.on.ca/content/coaching-clinics

https://register.hockeycanada.ca/clinics

Please note that the courses and certifications are the same regardless the organization that offers them.  

They are the same NCCP course and are not governing body specific.

Trainer

Every team, Representative or House League, will require a rostered trainer. OWHA policy states every effort should be made to utilize a female trainer. All trainers must hold a valid HTCP Trainers certificate.

Courses for the HTCP Level 1 are offered through the Hockey Trainers Ontario at the following link: Hockey Trainers Ontario

Manager

Team may choose to utilize a Team Manager. If one is utilized the must complete requirements listed above under “Requirements for All Positions”.

Criminal Reference Check and Declaration

Criminal Reference checks need to be completed every 2 years. Every other year a Criminal Reference Declaration Form can be filled and uploaded. Utilize the link through RAMP registration to apply for and upload your CRC. If your CRC is valid (within last 2 years) visit our link on the association website under “Policy and Procedures” to obtain a Criminal Reference Declaration to sign and upload to your RAMP profile.

Vulnerable Sector Screening

The OWHA requires that all individuals 18 years of age and older who are involved as team staff or volunteers must complete Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) and submit a VSS Declaration through the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) Screening Portal.

  • A completed VSS is valid for 3 years.

  • A new VSS Declaration Form must be submitted each season, even if the VSS itself remains valid.

 Click HERE to access the VSS Letter to submit with your application.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR VSC DOCUMENT via THE ONTARIO SCREENING PORTAL

 

Non-Rostered Volunteers

From time-to-time teams may utilize non-rostered volunteers as on ice or dressing room helpers. Any volunteer must be always under the direct supervision of Head Coach or Assistant.

Volunteers not registered with the OGHA

Any volunteer over the age of 18, not registered or rostered with the OGHA will provide to the Head Coach as a minimum

  1. Valid Criminal Reference Check
  2. Valid Vulnerable Sector Screening Letter
  3. Proof of completion of the Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders

Volunteers currently registered with the OGHA

Any volunteer under the age of 18 and currently registered and rostered with the OGHA can assist as requested as an on ice helper ONLY provided:

  1. They are registered and active within the OGHA
  2. They are 2 years older than the players they are assisting
  3. If under the age of 16 the volunteer must be wearing full hockey equipment

 

Volunteers under the age of 18 and not rostered or registered within the OGHA are not permitted to act as on ice volunteers without consent on a case-by-case basis from the association executive.

 

2025-2026 OWHA COACHING QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

Last reviewed November 2025

 

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