Rationale: The Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA)and the Vermont State Athletic Director’s Association (VSADA) believe strongly in the importance and value of a coaches education program. To this end, the VPA and VSADA support the Coaches Education Program offered through the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and encourage all coaches to participate in this program.
Requirements: In order to be a coach in a VPA member school, all coaches in grades 9 through 12 are required to complete the following education requirements.
- Fundamentals of Coaching – NFHS Coaches Education Program – must be completed in the 1st year of coaching. This requirement is mandatory for paid coaches, recommended for volunteers.
- First Aid Health and Safety For Coaches – NFHS Coaches Education Program – must be completed in the 1st year of coaching. This requirement is mandatory for paid coaches, recommended for volunteers.
- Concussion in Sports – What You Need to Know – NFHS Coaches Education Program – must be completed before the first practice of a sports season (VT State Law effective 7/1/13). Must be renewed every two years. The Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) course “Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports” may also be used to meet this requirement. This requirement is mandatory for ALL coaches, regardless of level or pay status.
- CPR/AED/EAP Training – Anyone Can Save a Life – must be completed before the first practice of a sports season. Must be renewed every two years. School specific training may also be used, the only requirement is that there must be a hands-on component (AED/CPR). CPR may be compression-only training. This requirement is mandatory for all PAID coaches, recommended for volunteers.
- NFHS Implicit Bias Course – Mandatory for all coaches and officials.
The first three courses can be accessed at www.nfhslearn.com. The Concussion Course is free of charge, but there is a nominal cost for the Fundamentals of Coaching and Sports First Aid Course. Coaches should check with their Athletic Director to determine how to register for all courses. The CDC courses may be found at www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/Youth.html. Schools are responsible for the CPR/AED/EAP training that can be done through in-person courses through the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. Online courses DO NOT meet the standard set by the VPA.
Once completed, coaches should notify their Athletic Director, who in turn will register the coach in the state-wide coaches data bank.
Recommendations: The NFHS Coaches Education Program also offers a number of free and elective courses and a number of sport specific courses to coaches. These courses can be accessed at www.nfhslearn.com.
Requirements: In order to be a coach in a VPA member school, all coaches in grades 5 through 8 are required to complete the following education requirements.
Concussion in Sports – What You Need to Know – NFHS Coaches Education Program – must be completed before the first practice of a sports season (VT State Law effective 7/1/13). Must be renewed every two years. The Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) course“Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports” may also be used to meet this requirement. (mandatory for ALL coaches, regardless of level or pay status).
CPR/AED/EAP Training – Anyone Can Save a Life – must be completed before the first practice of a sports season. Must be renewed every two years. School specific training may also be used, the only requirement is that there must be a hands-on component (AED/CPR). CPR may be compression-only training. (mandatory for all PAID coaches, recommended for volunteers).
NFHS Implicit Bias Course – required for all coaches before first practice.
Recommendations: The following two courses are recommended for middle school and elementary school coaches:
Fundamentals of Coaching – NFHS Coaches Education Program – mandatory for paid high school coaches, recommended for volunteers and grades 5-8.
First Aid Health and Safety For Coaches – NFHS Coaches Education Program – mandatory for paid high school coaches, recommended for volunteers and grades 5-8.
Several of these courses can be accessed at www.nfhslearn.com. The Concussion Course is free of charge, but there is a nominal cost for the Fundamentals of Coaching and Sports First Aid Course. Coaches should check with their Athletic Director to determine how to register for all courses. The CDC courses may be found at www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/Youth.html. Schools are responsible for the CPR/AED/EAP training that can be done through in-person courses through the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. Online courses DO NOT meet the standard set by the VPA.
Recommendations: The NFHS Coaches Education Program also offers a number of free and elective courses and a number of sport specific courses to coaches. These courses can be accessed at www.nfhslearn.com.