Coach-in-Training Program
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The ACA is pleased to offer a Coach-In-Training (CIT) Program for cheer athletes who are 14-18 years old and are newly embarking on their cheer coaching journey. The ACA offers this program for FREE to ACA members.
The ACA CIT program works in partnership with scholastic teams and all-star clubs throughout the province. The ACA provides the training and materials, while schools and all-star clubs provide teams and mentor coaches for CITs to work with. Schools and clubs that participate accept CITs that are currently within their programs or, in the case of schools, may be graduating from their programs. Each school or club may have additional requirements in place that must be met to participate in the ACA CIT program within that school or all-star club.
The CIT program includes:
* Three (3) virtual training sessions throughout the season; one in late August/early September, one in January, and one in April.
*CIT Workbook broken into sixteen (16) Lessons (2 per month x 8 months).
* CIT actively implements the workbook lessons into the practices of the team they are assigned to under the guidance of their mentor coach.
What will I learn?
As a CIT, you will:
Gain valuable experience in the coaching field.
Work under the supervision of an experienced coach (your Mentor Coach).
Be directly involved in choreography, routine preparation, and daily practice procedures.
Become educated in either scholastic or all-star cheer.
Be exposed to opportunities to further your education in the sport through ACA Coach Certification.
Earn volunteer hours for your coaching resume in the sport you love!
When does the program start and end?
Review the program’s Timelines.
Note:
Scholastic and All-Star programs may operate on slightly different schedules; however, all CITs must complete the lessons between September to April.
How do I participate?
1. Review the Program.
Review all CIT information on the website and contact us to clarify any questions.
2. Become a member
CIT membership with the ACA is required to participate in the CIT Program. The timing of membership registration is dependent on when the system opens, which may occur before or during participation in the program.
Coaches-in-Training MUST have a CIT profile in the ACA membership registration system.
3. Obtain Program Approval to Participate.
Contact your program director (scholastic staff advisor or club owner/manager) to confirm your participation as a CIT within their program. You MUST have approval from your school/club to participate as a CIT.
4. Confirm a Mentor Coach & Team.
Confirm with your program director (scholastic staff advisor or all-star club owner/manager) what team you will be assigned to and who your Mentor Coach will be as you will need this information to register.
Please note that your Mentor Coach must be an ACA-certified coach in good standing with an ACA-registered school program or all-star club.
5. Register.
Register for the program.
The CIT program begins in late August/early September and runs to April 30th. It is not possible to register after the first training session is complete.
If you missed registration, please check the website and follow the ACA on social media for program announcements.
If you have questions, please contact us at coach@albertacheerleading.ca
6. Attend the CIT training sessions (3 virtual sessions, between 1-2 hours each).
View the Coach-in-Training Checklist HERE.
What does the program consist of?
1. Training Sessions
An experienced ACA-certified facilitator conducts the virtual sessions.
Training Session #1 – late August/early September (2 hours)
Training Session #2 - early January (1.5 hours)
Training Session #3 - mid-April (1 hour)
The CIT workbook is sent to the CIT before the session.
2. Workbook Completion
The CIT workbook consists of monthly lessons and reflections for the CIT to complete with guidance from their Mentor Coach. At the end of the season, the workbook is submitted to the Mentor Coach for review and evaluation. Lessons consist of:
Coaching Concepts shared with the CIT to assist their education and development.
Attending scheduled practices, camps, and competitions.
Observing their Mentor Coach and other senior coaches within the program.
Participating in the choreography of competition routines.
Assisting in the preparation and execution of practices.
3. CIT Program Feedback Form
The CIT Program Feedback Form is completed by the CIT at the end of the season (April) and is submitted to the ACA. The information received informs us of your experience and helps us to improve the program for future CITs.
4. CIT Evaluation Form
The CIT Evaluation Form is completed by the Mentor Coach at the end of the season (April) and submitted to the ACA as the final program document.
5. Certificate of Completion & ACA Voucher
Upon completion of the program and any additional requirements, such as ACA membership, by April 30th, the CIT will receive a Certificate of Completion in PDF and a $25.00 ACA Voucher that can be used for coach certification or the ACA Coaches Conference.
The Voucher must be redeemed by December 31st of the year it was received, e.g.: CITs who completed training on April 30th, 2025, must use the voucher by December 31st, 2025.
How much time is involved?
CITs will gradually increase the amount of time they are actively participating in coaching duties. For example:
In the first few weeks, their role will be more observational.
In the first quarter, they should be involved in instructing approximately 40% of the time.
In the second quarter, their instructional time should increase to approximately 65%.
In the third quarter, they should be involved in instructing approximately 80% of the time.
In the last quarter, they complete the final project in which they are the lead coach for 100% of a practice.
CITs are expected to meet with their Mentor Coach monthly to review the workbook lessons and discuss feedback.
Alberta Cheerleading Association
Email: coach@albertacheerleading.ca