CAO and Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO) are delighted to announce that as of April 1, 2024, Indigenous Coaches and Officials can receive 100% of their training fees covered by the new Indigenous Coach and Officials Bursary program.

This brand new initiative, created by ISWO to be delivered in partnership with CAO, is aimed at removing financial barriers for coaches and officials of Indigenous ancestry who meet the eligibility criteria.

“We hope this new funding opportunity for Indigenous coaches and officials will make quality training, such as National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) workshops, more accessible to Indigenous communities across the province who may have previously faced barriers to training”, said CAO Executive Director Jeremy Cross.

“We look forward to providing this funding opportunity with our partners at CAO, to support Indigenous coaches and officials across Ontario. Removing barriers to quality coach and officials training serves our mandate of developing and delivering opportunities for quality sport participation to Indigenous peoples across Ontario”, said Gary Lynch, Manager of Sport and Athlete Development at ISWO. “We trust this new bursary program will further that goal.”

The bursary is available to coaches and officials of Indigenous ancestry who meet certain eligibility requirements. Individual coaches can apply, or their club/organization can apply on their behalf. Full program and eligibility details can be found on the Funding for Coaches page.

For more information about the Coach Bursary program, please email cep@coachesontario.ca or call (416) 426-7086

The Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, is investing up to $1 million through Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to promote active recreation in Ontario. This funding will help children and youth reconnect with sport and recreation at the grassroots level, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Thanks to this investment Jumpstart is able to offer access to the Keeping Girls in Sport (KGIS) online learning resource at no cost to as many as 1,500 coaches and program leaders in Ontario.     

Keeping Girls in Sport is an online resource that helps coaches and youth activity leaders create safe and respectful environments for female athletes, ensuring girls stay enrolled and engaged in sports and physical activity.

Below are instructions to access the free registration from May 9 to June 30, 2022 (or 1,500 registrations):

URL: https://provinceon-kgis.respectgroupinc.com

Program Access Instructions:

• If you have an existing profile in any other Respect Group program, select “New to this Program?” then “Look-Up”.
• If this is your first time registering for a Respect Group Program, select “New to this Program?” followed by “Register”.
• Complete registration.
• Select “Submit” at the bottom of the page. You will be requested to review and accept the Privacy policy.
• On the payment page, click “Enter Code”
• Pre-Registration Code: PO-KGIS-R2R6G7X
• Once successfully logged in, you will default to the Home page. Select Program Access to view the modules.
• To re-access the program, return to the same URL indicated above and enter the username and password created during registration.

This free access code is available until June 30, 2022, or 1,500 registrations.

Thank you for the work you for the work that you do to keep girls in sport. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to jumpstart@cantire.com if you have any questions.   

CAO is delighted to announce that as of April 1, 2022, thanks in part to funding from the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, which supports Coaching Enhancement Programs, the well-known Coach Bursary program will be allocating a portion of funds to low income coaches.

Eligible coaches can apply to receive 100% of their NCCP workshop fee covered under the all new low income coach bursary. This brand new initiative is aimed at removing financial barriers for coaches who meet the eligibility criteria.

“We hope this new extension to our popular coach bursary program will make NCCP more accessible to coaches across the province who may have previously faced barriers to the training”, said CAO Executive Director Jeremy Cross. “It is always our aim to provide access to high quality coach education to anyone who is committed to coaching and developing athletes and participants in sport by improving their own knowledge and abilities. We hope this update to the bursary program will further that goal.”

The bursary is available to low income individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements. Individual coaches can apply, or their club/organization can apply on their behalf. Full program and eligibility details can be found on the Funding for Coaches page.

For more information about the Coach Bursary program, please email cep@coachesontario.ca or call (416) 426-7086

Tips and tricks for team building with your athletes:

Sports offer a variety of opportunities to develop our physical abilities, improve our mental well-being and to connect with our communities. Whether you participate or facilitate in grassroots, recreational or high-performance sport, having a strong bond with teammates and staff is a feeling like no other.

But why is team cohesion important? Well, for starters, many of the most successful sports teams in history worked as well-oiled machines – take the 90s Bulls for example. Team building is more than everyone “getting along”, it’s understanding of each other’s strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and making a choice to support each other regardless. Not only can this improve the results on the playing field – but it can build long-lasting friendships and relationships.

Some tips for remote team building:

Ask your athletes what they value in team cohesion. It’s important to understand as coaches that each of your athletes may have different perspectives on what team cohesion looks like. While using virtual video platforms such as, start by asking questions such as “what does team cohesions mean/look like to you?”

After your athletes/coaching staff have shared their ideas, let them know what your idea of team cohesion is. This displays an open dialogue from all members of the team and helps to set the standard that all ideas are valid and welcomed.

Start or review goal setting. Have your athletes write down one personal goal and one team goal. This will not only give you a sense of how competitive the team goal is for the season but, it will also show what your athlete’s goals are. If many of them are technical skill-based, that can help when you begin your practice planning.

Put together a player code of conduct with your team. Allowing players and coaching staff to have input shows that their opinions are valued. When players truly believe and are a part of the player code of conduct, it creates a sense of ownership that will help them to hold themselves and their teammates accountable.

Incorporate some fun activities into your teams’ virtual meetings:

• Pictionary – This can be played over webcams, either keeping points individually or having coaches/athletes team up in pairs/groups. Utilize a word generator to generate topics and have individuals draw on paper or use a whiteboard feature (if available) on your platform.
• Two Truths and a Lie – Each team member comes up with two truths and one lie about themselves and shares with the group. This is a great way for coaches and players to learn more about one another off of the playing field.
• Brainstorm – Have your team come up with 10 signs of a good team player. This can be later be used as a reference in a player-code-of-conduct and even adapted for parents.

Team building activities for when we return to sport

When sports eventually do come in to play, a great way to have your athletes bond is through activities. James Leath – the founder of Unleash the Athlete, is a mental performance coach who puts a lot of focus on team chemistry. Here are some exercises from James’ “Interrupt” Wake up the Athlete and Set the Mood to try when sports resume:

1. Flip the Tarp – a group of athletes stand on the tarp with the goal to flip it over without touching the floor or using furniture. (If you have a large team, let one group go at a time OR, bring a second tarp to allow for a safe amount of athletes playing at one time)
2. Linked – Have athletes sit on the floor back-to-back with a partner and link arms at their sides. The goal is to stand up while staying linked. If groups of two are too easy, increase the number. This can be done with multiple people.
3. Two-Handed Ro Sham Bo – This is basically Rock-Paper-Scissors tournament style. Have athletes pair up with one another. Have the pairs play one round of rock-paper-scissors. Whoever wins will circulate the room to find a new competitor. The athlete who lost now becomes the cheerleader for the winner – hyping them up and cheering them on as they continue to compete. This continues until there is one winner throughout the whole group with everyone cheering them on.
4. Cone Game – Have your athlete’s pair up in two’s. Each pair will face each other roughly an arm’s length distance apart. Place a cone between them. The coach will prepare athletes to be saying “ready” and then proceed to call out various body parts for athletes to follow along and touch – head, toes, ears, shoulders, etc. Once the coach yells “cone” athletes compete against their partner to reach and grab the cone first. You can have athletes shift down the line to face new partners.

5 coaching tips to help parents keep their athletes motivated at home.

We’re sure that many of you have been receiving questions from parents about what they can be doing at home to help their young athletes continue to stay motivated and working on skill development during this time.

To help, we have put together 5 practical and easy to implement coaching tips below that will help parents keep their kids active and inspired while your season is on a break.

1. Reinforce positive feedback
   On the playing field we know that an athlete is more likely to reach their potential when they receive more positive than negative feedback. Studies have shown that on average, it takes a minimum ratio of 5 positive comments to 1 negative comment in order for an athlete to consistently continue to develop their skills and achieve performance goals (citation). As your child is practicing and learning new skills, try to keep this 5-to-1 ratio in mind in order to facilitate the best conditions for them to succeed.
2. Help your children to develop a growth mindset
   Sometimes in sport, it’s easy to get caught up in the outcomes – the wins and loses, final scores and point totals. However, it’s actually the process – including practice, effort, and improvement – that has the most impact on how much your child enjoys their sport and how they develop skills. This includes framing mistakes as an opportunity for growth. Help your athlete see the potential for improvement by asking them to self-assess when something doesn’t go according to plan, and reflect on how they can improve on it for next time. Not only will this encourage persistence, but it will also teach your child how to break down skills and mark milestones as they work towards mastering each one.
3. Take the opportunity to teach life skills through sports
   Coaches have the unique opportunity to teach skills that their athletes often end up using both on and off the playing field. As you coach your children at home, help them to see when a skill that they are learning may have broader implications beyond the game and may be useful in their day-to-day life. This can help reinforce learning and encourage your athlete to be creative in their thinking by looking for correlations between real world situations and their experiences on the playing field.
4. Ask them what they need
   Even at practice, or during a game, a Coach knows that their player cannot perform to their potential if their mind is focused (even in part) on something happening elsewhere in their life. The pandemic experience this spring has been an emotional roller-coaster for adults and children alike, and it’s important to acknowledge this. Sports can provide a welcome distraction from the many changes we are experiencing. However, If you feel like your kids are not paying attention or truly “listening” while they are practicing, they may just need a chance to share how they are feeling that day before they can refocus on the task at hand.
5. Model for your own kids
   The best coaches show their love of the game readily and demonstrate respect for the sport, their opponents and officials. The more you can model positivity and enthusiasm, the more this attitude will become the norm for your child.

Tips and tricks for staying mentally & physically fit during COVID-19

For many of you reading this, you are coaches and/or administrators who rely on a consistent routine for practices and training. With schools and gyms closed, and sports organizations making the right call to suspend in-person events, many of you are left without your hobbies, passions and livelihood. Regardless of what is happening in your life right now, know that the CAO is here for you.

So, we’ve done some research and put together some key tips and tricks to help you manage your physical and emotional well-being during this difficult time.

It’s okay to be worried.

‘Anxiety is a normal response to the current situation, says Tina Montreuil, assistant professor in the department of educational and counselling psychology at McGill University. And some of us may have a harder time coping than others, she says, since our usual freedoms and a lot of the control we typically have are restricted as schools, gyms, bars and workplaces close.’ – The Globe and Mail

For more information on managing anxiety during COVID-19, click HERE.

Monitor your mental health.

With these unprecedented times, it can be easy to feel down and feel isolated and alone. Even under normal circumstances, coaches are known for putting other’s needs ahead of their own! By nature, most coaches prioritize looking after those around them, so during a time of extreme stress, like right now, it’s even more important that they carve out time to care for themselves.

Talk to loved ones. Talk to friends. Talk to mental health professionals. There is ample mental health support available online and over the phone to help you during this time. Here are some available resources:

• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – COVID-19: Mental health and well-being
• 5 Mental Health Tips Amid COVID-19 Concerns
• BounceBack – a FREE skill-building program managed by the CMHA

Free apps/platforms to communicate with friends and family:

• WhatsApp – Fast, simple, messaging, calling and video. (Android, iPhone, Mac or Windows PC)
• Facebook Messenger – Be together, whenever. A simple way to text, video chat and plan things all in one place.
• Skype – Skype makes it easy to stay in touch. Calls, chats and conferences of up to 50 people.
• Facetime (IOS) – You can use FaceTime over Wi-Fi¹ or over cellular on supported iOS or iPadOS devices.

The Coaches Association of Ontario advises that you utilize caution when downloading or installing any app or program on your device. The CAO is not responsible for any and all costs, claims, expenses, demands, actions, causes of action, and any liability for damages to property howsoever caused arising out of or in any way related to third-party software.

Incorporate physical exercise when you can.

While going to practice and a gym is no longer an option, it is vital to maintain some sort of physical exercise at this time. Not only is it important for your physical health, but releasing endorphins (the happy hormones) can assist with staying mentally and physically fit. When you can, take a walk – either solo or with those in your immediate household, and change up your scenery, while still being mindful of keeping a distance from others.

• Go for a run
• No weights? No problem. Try canned goods or books – just be sure that that you are using safe practices
• Free online home workouts:
  • Nike Training Club
  • FitnessBlender
  • Well&Tight 6 Week Training Program
  • Do Yoga With Me
  • Body Barre Fitness & Training Studio

For more information on free home workouts during COVID-19, click HERE.

The Coaches Association of Ontario advises that you utilize caution when downloading or installing any app or program on your device. The CAO is not responsible for any and all costs, claims, expenses, demands, actions, causes of action, and any liability for damages to property howsoever caused arising out of or in any way related to third-party software.

Utilize resources available to you.

For those administrators or coaches with a business, you can visit The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy to see what funding and support are available for your specific needs.

For those who lost their income due to COVID-19, you can visit Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan page to see what funding and support are available for your specific needs.

For reliable and accurate updates on the outbreak, please visit the Government of Canada’s Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update

Check out your provincial public health authorities COVID-19 info: www.ontario.ca/coronavirus

For more information on COVID-19: Awareness Resources, click HERE.

Looking for ways to support your athletes?

Check out our newest article with tips and tricks to support your athletes during this time.

Tips for supporting your athletes from home during COVID-19

Everyone in the sports community is feeling the impact of COVID-19, and as a coach, you’ve likely spent a lengthy amount of time figuring out how you can best help your athletes stay positive and motivated.

While we all understand that practising distancing and staying home is essential in protecting ourselves, our loved ones and our communities, it has certainly been tough on athletes who were looking forward to finishing up or starting their seasons.

Although social distancing from one another is vital to flattening the curve, that doesn’t mean we can’t reach out to our colleagues and athletes to check in on how they are coping at this time.

So, if you’re a coach or an administrator looking for ways on how to support athletes on your team, or in your organization, this article’s for you.

We would also like to note that while this article contains information regarding how to assist your athletes in this time that ultimately, you know your athletes best. What is provided here are researched ideas that may or may not be entirely relevant for your age grade, gender, or class of athlete.

Maintain virtual communication.

Just because we have to stay home and keep social distancing, doesn’t mean we need to be limited in our communication with our coaching staff and athletes. There are many free, digital platforms and apps that allow people to stay connected. Check out our list of available virtual communications:

It’s also important to acknowledge that The Rule of Two – which may not seem as relevant right now as during physical interactions, is still an important practice. Remember to copy other members of your coaching on emails and direct messages with your athletes, and always ensure there is at least one trained coach and one screened adult on any of the voice or video call platforms that we have included in this article.

• WhatsApp – Fast, simple, messaging, calling and video. (Android, iPhone, Mac or Windows PC)
• Zoom – One Consistent Enterprise Experience. Meetings, chat, video webinars, conference rooms, and more…
• Skype – Skype makes it easy to stay in touch. Calls, chats and conferences of up to 50 people.
• Facebook Messenger – Be together, whenever. A simple way to text, video chat and plan things all in one place.
• Marco Polo – Best of texting, social media and video chats – all in one private, easy to use app.

The Coaches Association of Ontario advises that you utilize caution when downloading or installing any app or program on your device. The CAO is not responsible for any and all costs, claims, expenses, demands, actions, causes of action, and any liability for damages to property howsoever caused arising out of or in any way related to third-party software.

Continue to be a source for your athletes.

While this period leaves lots of uncertainty for adults, children are also feeling the impact of not seeing friends, playing sports and going on playdates. Some valuable information from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health informs us that ‘Young people may also sense the anxiety of their parents, and worry about their own health and that of other family members.’

Provide recipes, workouts and training that athletes can do at home. Provide resources to have them review and look over. Set up group calls during the would-be practice dates and times to maintain a social connection within the team and let them know you are there for them. And don’t be afraid to ask what they need at this time.

As a first step, you may consider to:

• Acknowledge their fears and emotions
• See who would be interested in getting workout plans, at-home-training schedules or other resources to help stay active or invested in the sport at this time
• Were you planning to hand out any awards? Hold a small awards conference on a virtual conference call with the athletes
• Ask what you can do for them in this time

While contacting your athletes is important – don’t forget about their parents. Parents have played a vital role in youth sports in getting kids to practice, tournaments and being their biggest supporters. They are seeing first hand the effects of this pandemic and what it is doing to their children. They can potentially help provide info on what the kids may need from you. If you are a coach that has parent meetings from time-to-time, see what the interest is in hosting one virtually.

For more information about speaking with youth on COVID-19, click HERE.

Provide them with credible and reliable health resources.  

• For mental health: Kids Help Phone – Canada’s only 24/7, professional counselling, referral and information service for young people. Phone, text, mobile app or live chat through their website, this support is completely confidential.
  • Text CONNECT to 686868 or call 1-800-668-6868
• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – COVID-19: Mental health and well-being
• 5 Mental Health Tips Amid COVID-19 Concerns
• BounceBack – a FREE skill-building program managed by the CMHA. Designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos.

There’s a lot of “fake news” out there. Let them know about credible resources on the virus:

• For reliable and accurate updates on the outbreak, please visit the Government of Canada’s Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update

For more information on COVID-19: Awareness Resources, click HERE.

Looking for personal support?

Check out our newest article with tips and tricks on supporting yourself during this time.