Taking Your Coaching to the Next Level with the NCCP Make Ethical Decisions Training

Alpine Canada views sports safety as its utmost priority.

To ensure ski racing athletes, coaches and volunteers enjoy positive sporting environments, we have implemented myriad initiatives including requiring all national team coaches to take and pass the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) “Make Ethical Decisions” module and online evaluation.

“As the governing body for ski racing across Canada, we strongly encourage all Canadian ski coaches to undertake the NCCP “Make Ethical Decisions” training and complete the online evaluation,” says Jennifer Stielow, Senior Manager Coach Education.

“It’s essential for coaches to educate themselves on how to recognize and prevent situations that may have ethical or moral implications,” she explains. “In addition, the NCCP “Make Ethical Decisions” module is a requirement in our coach certification pathway, meaning that it is a key step for those wishing to progress through the coaching ranks.”

An ethical decision is “the right thing to do” concerning the duties and responsibilities of the person making the decision. An ethical decision is made “the right way” and is consistent with the values and behaviours outlined in the National Coaching Certification Program’s (NCCP) Code of Ethics.

As a fundamental guideline, a coach must ensure that the decisions he or she makes and the actions he or she takes do not result in harm, physical or other, to athletes.

“Sometimes, as a coach, you may feel that an action or behaviour is wrong,” shares Dusan Grasic, Men’s Combi Head Coach Men’s Alpine Canada. “At other times, you may suspect or even know that a behaviour is illegal. In other instances, you may feel unsure about a situation and a decision, since there seem to be many acceptable alternatives. If you ask yourself these types of questions, the issue probably has ethical or moral implications and it is important that you have the necessary tools to take proper actions at all ski racing levels and beyond,” he concludes.

The simple 6-step process presented in the NCCP Make Ethical Decisions module can help coaches make thoughtful and responsible decisions.

1.    ESTABLISH THE FACTS IN A SITUATION

2.    DECIDE WHETHER THE SITUATION INVOLVES LEGAL OR ETHICAL ISSUES

3.    IDENTIFY YOUR OPTIONS AND POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES

4.    EVALUATE YOUR OPTIONS

5.    CHOOSE THE BEST OPTION

6.    IMPLEMENT YOUR DECISION

Click on the following links for more information on the Make Ethical Decisions (MED) module, part of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Multi-sport module series for coaches. You can also contact your Provincial or Territorial Coaching Representative or coach@alpinecanada.org for more details.