Coaches and Officials
This part of the website is dedicated to coaches and officials. Please click on the link to read more about each topic.

Introduction
Sample Race Notice
Guidelines for Inclusion in the Loppet Series
CCS Provincial Competition Program
CCS Competition Committee
National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP)
How to Become a Certified Coach
Coaches Association of Saskatchewan
Sport Science and Medicine Council of Saskatchewan
CCS Officials Certification
CCS Canada Winter Games Team Selection Criteria
CCS Technical Course Registration Form (PDF)

Introduction
A successful event depends on a co-operative effort among participants, coaches, race officials, volunteers, and organizers. All persons involved has to meet their obligations and respect the obligations and rights of every other person. Without each other, there is no race.

Coaches and officials are invaluable commodities to a sport before, during and after an event. As volunteers, you make the event and program what it is. Your dedication to the development of the sport and culture of cross country skiing includes your tireless efforts to make sure the trails are perfect, that everybody is where they're supposed to be and on time, that everybody (including yourself) is having a good time, ensuring the safety of skiers and those around you!

The following guide will help you, as a coach and/or official, to understand the rights and obligations of the participant. You should make yourself familiar with the guidelines, information, and rules.

Sample Race Notice

Official Notice Of North Zone Race #2
February 12, 2002
Ingonish, Saskatchewan

Draw and Coaches Meeting
Friday, February 11 at 8 PM
Water Buffalo Lodge, Main St and 4th Ave, Downtown Ingonish

Sask Cup Race Event (distances attached)
Saturday, February 12: 11 AM Start
Classic Technique, Individual Start, Muddy Creek Park

Qualifications Of Competitors
Entrants in the Sask Cup events must have a current Divisional Racing Licenses.

Entry Fees (Must be included with registration form)
Junior Girls/Boys and younger: $4.00
Junior Women/Men and older: $6.00

Registration Deadline:
Registration for the Sask Cup Race must be received by the race secretary no later than 8 PM, Thursday, Feb 10.

Mail to: Inga Svenson, 12 Swix Ave, Ingonish, SK S7N 3Z3
Phone: 653-2216 H
no registrations will be taken over the phone or fax)

Citizen Races will be run immediately following the Sask Cup races on Saturday. The citizen race will be the same technique and start format as the Sask Cup race and will use Sask Cup age classes. Distances are reduced as attached.

No license is necessary to enter the Citizen Races. Entry fee is $5.00 for the race day with an additional $5.00 surcharge for non-ski club members. Entrants may register up to 12 noon on the Saturday at the race site. Start times will be approximately 12:30 pm each day.

A banquet will be held for all Sask Cup and Citizen Race competitors and coaches 6:30 PM., Saturday, February 12 at the Water Buffalo Lodge. Please include your banquet payment of $7/person with your registration. Limited tickets available on site.

Guidelines for Inclusion in the Loppet Series

1. Geographical Consideration: When considering an application for inclusion in the series, consideration shall be given to the applicants proximity to other loppets in the series and inclusion may be denied on geographical grounds.

2. Feeding Stations: Feeding stations must be provided an adequate distance apart with at least the following: hot and cold drinks, a source of heat, shelter, and radio communication.

3. Safety: Organizers must make provision for emergency evacuation from all checkpoints and must have adequate and qualified medical personnel available.
   • Must have emergency sled
   • Must have snowmobiles on site to observe participants between checkpoints and to transport injured of exhausted skiers to safety.
   • Doctor on call or on site
   • Radio equipment at every checkpoint or qualified first aid volunteers
   • First Aid equipment at each checkpoint

4. Meal: A hot meal must be provided following the event.

5. Distance: Organizers must specify a distance for the loppet.

6. Timing: Organizers must specify if loppet is to be timed or not.

7. Course: Organizers must specify a set course for the loppet. This course must be adequately marked and a map must be made available to the participants. Organizers must make every attempt to have a well groomed, well set trail.

8. Weather and Cancellation: A loppet shall not be started when the temperature is minus 28 degrees Celsius or colder.

9. Cancellation Policy: Organizers must establish a cancellation policy and publicize it. (EG. whether to refund entry) Money must be held back for cancellation. Every loppet must decide to keep a stated amount on registration forms for each loppet. All loppets will have to clarify how much money is required to cover loppet expenses before cancellation.

10. Representation: A chairman responsible for the loppet must be identified to CCS by the Spring Planning Meeting.

11. Hosting: Loppets must be hosted by a CCS/SASKI member club.

12. Waivers: Loppets must use individual waiver forms for participants in accordance with CCS regulations for all sanctioned events. Failure to use individual waiver forms will void insurance protection and will result in an automatic withdrawal of sanction.

13. All participants in the Loppet Series must be registered members of the Saskatchewan Ski Association and Cross Country Saskatchewan. If they are not a member, those participants will have to pay a standard $5.00 increase to each loppet as an extra registration fee.

Cross Country Saskatchewan Provincial Competitive Program
Evidence has shown that skiers in Saskatchewan have found the large travel distances to get to competition a financial barrier. In addition, the need for closer to home club coaching/mentoring has also been identified. Cross Country Saskatchewan will be promoting the development of our cross country ski athletes using club coaches, and increasing the number of events held throughout the province.

Cross Country Saskatchewan Competition Committee

This committee is responsible for setting up the race calendar, budgeting, selection of the provincial race team and reviewing applications from coaches desiring to work with athletes and attend out of province events with selected athletes.

How to Become a Certified Coach!

Theory
Teaches important principles of coaching: planning sport safety, skill analysis & growth & development

Level 1 Course - 14 hours
Level 2 Course - 21 hours
Level 3 Course - 28 hours

Technical
Presents the skills techniques of each sport and sport-specific information on rules of play, equipment and skill development

Level 1 - Prepares you to coach the novice racer. (Ski Leader) 16 hours on snow. Prerequisite: 16 yrs & interest

Level 2 - Prepares you to coach the developing racer. 32 hours, _ on dryland, _ on snow. Prerequisite: 16 yrs; level 1 theory; level 2 theory; CCC club member.

Level 3 - Prepares you to coach the elite racer. 48 hours on snow. Prerequisite: 16 yrs; level 2 certified; level 3 theory; CCC club member.

Practical
Provides coaches with feedback on their ability to apply coaching knowledge through self, peer or examiner evaluations Congratulations - you're certified!

Level 1 - 20 hours of coaching in one season. Attend a Jackrabbit session. Use of coach evaluations from athletes. Completion of Coach Self evaluation and level 1 questions in manual. At CCC, we feel our athletes deserve the best.

Level 2 - 60 hrs of coaching (on snow & dryland) in 1 season. Assist division team at race/camp & be evaluated by head coach. Lead club team at a nationally sanctioned event. Attend a divisional or national coaches seminar. Attend 2 Jackrabbit sessions. As a result, certification is a requirement for participating in CCC sponsored activities.

Level 3 - 60 hrs coaching (on snow & dryland) per season for 2 seasons. Assist divisional team at National Champs and be evaluated by head coach & athletes. Lead club team to Provincials. Lead 1 day dryland & on snow camp for + 5 athletes. Attend divisional or national coaching seminar. Attend 5 Jackrabbit sessions. All courses are presented by trained and certified course conductors.

Coaches Association of Saskatchewan
The Coaches Association of Saskatchewan represents coaches of all sports. Its purpose is to promote the development of coaching:

• Promote a professional approach towards coaching
• Strive to recognize further opportunities for committee coaches
• Provide advocacy on sport issues from a coaching perspective
• Provide opportunities for communication, interaction and education
• Address the issues of coaching standards and ethics
• Address the issues of contracts, benefits and security

Any coach, individual or group interested in the development of coaching in Saskatchewan can become a member. For more information visit http://www.members.shaw.ca/saskcoach

Sport Science and Medicine Council of Saskatchewan
The Sport Science and Medicine Council of Saskatchewan provides Saskatchewan coaches and athletes access to professional sport science workshops, seminars and consulting. It provides services in the following areas:

• Mental training
• Exercise physiology
• Sport nutrition
• Sport medicine
• Biomechanics

Coaches and athletes from provincial sport governing bodies and the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association are eligible for these programs. For more information visit www.usask.ca/sportmedsci.

CCS Officials Certification
In Saskatchewan, officials are certified under the Cross Country Canada officials program. Officials certified under this program are registered with CCS and with CCC. The certification is recognized nationally and by all provincial ski associations.

The purpose of the program is to improve the experience of skiers by ensuring that all events are under the direction of knowledgeable officials working within nationally recognized standards. Club members participating in an officials certification course are eligible for MAP grants to cover expenses.

There are five levels in the certification program:

• Level One: This is taught in an evening and on day classroom course. A qualifying exam is taken at the end of the day; it requires a grade of at least 60 per cent. Certified Level One officials can perform all the duties of minor and administrative officials at Olympic-style and Loppet-type competitions.

• Level Two: This is taught in an evening and two-day classroom and on-course race situations. A qualifying exam is taken a few weeks after the course, it requires a grade of at least 70 per cent. Certified Level Two officials can perform all the duties of major as well as minor and administrative officials at Olympic and Loppet-type competitions. They can also instruct minor officials in their duties.

• Level Three: At present this is taught only outside Saskatchewan at three to four day sessions. A certified Level Three official can teach levels one and two and serve as Technical Delegate for provincial level events. The qualifying exam requires a grade of at least 75 per cent.

• Levels Four and Five: These are designed to train technical delegates for national and international events.

CCS subsidizes the cost for members and covers standard cost of course conductor including travel and meal expenses.

Cross Country Saskatchewan
1860 Lorne Street, Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2L7
Phone: (306) 780-9240 • Fax: (306) 781-6021
Email: ccs@sasktel.net
 
 

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