NIHA-Canada partners with Respect in Sport - set to launch January 2010

Dauphin, MB - NIHA-Canada announced today that they have partnered with Respect in Sport to be the first step of the new NIHA-Canada Coaching Certification Program.

“This is the first of several announcements to come in the near future from NIHA-Canada regarding the Coaching Certification Program and we view it as one of the most important ones we will make,” Kevin Sharp, President, NIHA-Canada explains. “We feel that any coaching certification is not complete unless it involves a tool to educate coaches on bullying, harrassment and general behavior when coaching players in sport. By partnering with Respect in Sport, NIHA-Canada will be providing this education tool to our coaches and associations to make sure that the coaches we have in our game are educated in that regard.”

NIHA-Canada will be making it mandatory for all coaches in member leagues to have Respect in Sport or Speak Out certification for the 2011 season.

“NIHA-Canada wanted to get this parternship up and running as early as possible in order to allow the coaches some time to get the certification done prior to heading into the 2011 season.” outlines Nathan Fleck, Executive Director, NIHA-Canada. ” By allowing a full year and a half before this certification becomes mandatory, we feel that our coaches will be able to complete the certification process so that it is seamless for them come 2011.”

Coaches will be able to access the Respect in Sport Certification Program via the NIHA-Canada website at the end of January 2010. The link will allow coaches to register directly with Respect in Sport and complete the online certification program.

“By providing our coaches this program as well as allowing our leageus and membership to recognize Hockey Canada’s Speak Out certification process, we are making sure that those coaches who have already been trained in Respect in Sport or Speak Out will not have to go through the process again,” Marty Alexander, VP Programming, NIHA-Canada ensures. ” NIHA-Canada understands that many of our coaches have crossover eduacation from ice hockey as well as other sports, we wanted to make sure that our coaching requirements allowed them to use certifications received through other means.”

Respect in Sport is the leader for online certification for Abuse, Harrasment and Bullying education and the cost to register for the program is $30.

“Online certification is a great tool for us, as we are a sport that is widespread, without the logistical power to host clinics in every community” Fleck continues. ” NIHA-Canada is moving toward online certification opportunities for many programs in the near future and we are proud to be associated with the leaders in this area of education.”

NIHA-Canada will be releasing full details of the Coaching Certification Program in the new year right here at www.niha.ca .

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Nathan Fleck at the National Office.