Become a coach

The Heart of Lacrosse

Lacrosse is more than a game—it's an experience that shapes young athletes, and coaches are at the center of that journey. They foster a love for the sport, develop player skills, and ensure every participant feels connected to the tradition of lacrosse.

Coaches are the mentors who introduce new players to the game and guide their growth, teaching not only techniques but also the values of teamwork, respect, and perseverance. Through this, they ignite a passion for the sport that can last a lifetime.

Research shows that a positive experience with a coach is one of the most important factors in a player's decision to return for another season. Coaches who are trained and equipped with the right tools help retain players, year after year.

Becoming A Coach In Ontario Lacrosse

Just as players need time, instruction, and practice to improve, the same is true for coaches. Ontario Lacrosse welcomes coaches from all backgrounds and experience levels, all working together to grow the sport.

Whether you’re a seasoned coach or a parent volunteer stepping onto the bench for the first time, every team deserves the guidance of well-trained, certified coaches.

The Ontario Lacrosse Coaching Pathway and Minimum Coaching Guidelines provide a clear framework for certification and progression—ensuring coaches have the tools and confidence to succeed at every stage of their journey.

Coaching Requirements

These are the minimum requirements for all bench personnel

BOX DIVISIONS

  • Division

    • U9, U11, U13

    • U15, U17, U22

    • Junior - Senior

  • All Coaches

    • Community Development

    • Community Development

    • Community Development

  • Second Year

    • Community Development

    • Competitive Introduction

    • Competitive Introduction

  • Bench Staff

    • 4 Coaches + 1 Trainer

    • 4 Coaches + 1 Trainer

    • 5 Coaches + 1 Trainer

MINOR & MEN’S FIELD DIVISIONS

  • Division

    • U9, U11, U13

    • U15, U17

    • Junior - Senior

  • All Coaches

    • Community Development

    • Community Development

    • Community Development

  • Second Year

    • Community Development

    • Competitive Introduction

    • Competitive Introduction

  • Bench Staff

    • 4 Coaches + 1 Trainer

    • 4 Coaches + 1 Trainer

    • 4 Coaches + 1 Trainer

Women’s FIELD DIVISIONS

  • Division

    • U9, U11, U13

    • U15, U17, U19

    • Junior - Senior

  • All Coaches

    • Community Development

    • Community Development

    • Community Development

  • Second Year

    • Community Development

    • Competitive Introduction

    • Competitive Introduction

  • Bench Staff

    • 4 Coaches + 1 Trainer

    • 4 Coaches + 1 Trainer

    • 4 Coaches + 1 Trainer

Steps to Becoming a coach

  • STEP 1

    Get Your NCCP Number

    If you are a coach in another sport or discipline of lacrosse you can use your existing NCCP #

    Get your NCCP # →

  • STEP 2

    Register for Coaching Clinic

    If you’re a new coach, create a new login. This registration portal is separate from your club portal. Coaches must be 16 years of age at the time of the clinic.

    Register Here →

  • STEP 3

    Complete Concussion Training

    Completion of the Making Head Way module is mandatory for all bench personnel, preparing coaches and trainers to recognize and manage concussion risks.

    Complete Training →

  • STEP 4

    Register with your Club

    Coaches are required to register with their club by April 15 (for Men’s Field), June 1 (for Minor Box & Women’s Field), or October 1 (for Sixes) each playing season.

    Register with your club →

  • STEP 5

    Complete Criminal Record Check

    Bench personnel over the age of 18 must complete their screening requirements according to the OLA's Screening Policy.

    Learn More →

  • STEP 6

    Maintain Your Certification

    Coaches must earn professional development points to keep their NCCP certification active and in good standing.

    Learn More →

coaching clinics

We're excited to announce that registration is open for our upcoming coaching clinics.

Here are the dates and locations:

Community Development (Box 1)

  • Community

    • Date

    • Time

    • Register

  • Toronto Beaches

    • Saturday February 14

    • 9:00am-3:00pm

    • Register

  • Six Nations

    • Saturday February 21

    • 9:00am-3:00pm

    • Register

  • Etobicoke (OLA SAGM)

    • Saturday February 28

    • 9:00am-3:00pm

    • Register

  • Orangeville

  • London

  • Owen Sound

  • Niagara Falls

  • Tydendinaga

  • Wallaceburg

  • Thunder Bay

  • Sault Ste. Marie

  • Centre Wellington

  • Cornwall

  • Whitby

Community Development (Field 1)

  • Community

    • Date

    • Times

    • Register

  • Toronto Beaches

    • Friday February 13 – Saturday February 14

    • 7:00 pm-10:00pm on Friday and 9:00am-12:00pm on Saturday

    • Register

  • Six Nations

    • Friday February 20 – Saturday February 21

    • 7:00 pm-10:00pm on Friday and 9:00am-12:00pm on Saturday

    • Register

  • Etobicoke (OLA SAGM)

    • Friday February 27 – Saturday February 28

    • 7:00 pm-10:00pm on Friday and 9:00am-12:00pm on Saturday

    • Register

  • Orangeville

    • Friday March 6 – Saturday March 7

    • 7:00 pm-10:00pm on Friday and 9:00am-12:00pm on Saturday

    • Register

  • London

    • Friday March 13 – Saturday March 14

    • 7:00 pm-10:00pm on Friday and 9:00am-12:00pm on Saturday

    • Register

  • Owen Sound

    • Friday March 27 – Saturday March 28

    • 7:00 pm-10:00pm on Friday and 9:00am-12:00pm on Saturday

    • Register

  • Niagara Falls

    • Friday April 10 – Saturday April 11

    • 7:00 pm-10:00pm on Friday and 9:00am-12:00pm on Saturday

    • Register

  • Centre Wellington

    • Friday April 24 – Saturday April 25

    • 7:00 pm-10:00pm on Friday and 9:00am-12:00pm on Saturday

    • Register

Community Development (Box/Field Combination 1)

  • Community

    • Date

    • Time

    • Register

  • Toronto Beaches

    • Friday February 13 – Saturday February 14

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Six Nations

    • Friday February 20 – Saturday February 21

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Etobicoke (OLA SAGM)

    • Friday February 27 – Saturday February 28

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Orangeville

    • Friday March 6 – Saturday March 7

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • London

    • Friday March 13 – Saturday March 14

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Owen Sound

    • Friday March 27 – Saturday March 28

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Niagara Falls

    • Friday April 10 – Saturday April 11

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Centre Wellington

    • Friday April 24 – Saturday April 25

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

Competitive Introduction (Box 2)

  • Community

    • Date

    • Time

    • Register

  • Tyendinaga

    • Friday April 10 – Saturday April 11

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Sault Ste. Marie

    • Friday April 17 – Saturday April 18

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Wallaceburg

    • Friday April 17 – Saturday April 18

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Thunder Bay

    • Friday April 17 – Saturday April 18

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Cornwall

    • Friday May 1 – Saturday May 2

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Whitby

    • Friday May 8 – Saturday May 9

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

Competitive Introduction (Field 2)

  • Community

    • Date

    • Time

    • Register

  • Toronto Beaches

    • Friday February 13 – Saturday February 14

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Six Nations

    • Friday February 20 – Saturday February 21

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Etobicoke (OLA SAGM)

    • Friday February 27 – Saturday February 28

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Orangeville

    • Friday March 6 – Saturday March 7

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • London

    • Friday March 13 – Saturday March 14

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Owen Sound

    • Friday March 27 – Saturday March 28

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Niagara Falls

    • Friday April 10 – Saturday April 11

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Centre Wellington

    • Friday April 24 – Saturday April 25

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Whitby

    • Friday May 8 – Saturday May 9

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

Competitive Introduction (Box/Field Combination 2)

  • Community

    • Date

    • Time

    • Register

  • Toronto Beaches

    • Friday February 13 – Saturday February 14

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Six Nations

    • Friday February 20 – Saturday February 21

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Etobicoke (OLA SAGM)

    • Friday February 27 – Saturday February 28

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Orangeville

    • Friday March 6 – Saturday March 7

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • London

    • Friday March 13 – Saturday March 14

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Owen Sound

    • Friday March 27 – Saturday March 28

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Niagara Falls

    • Friday April 10 – Saturday April 11

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

  • Centre Wellington

    • Friday April 24 – Saturday April 25

    • 7:00pm-10:00pm Friday and 9:00am-3:00pm Saturday

    • Register

Community Development (Women’s Field 1)

Competitive Introduction (Women’s Field 2)

Need Assistance?

If you are a coach in need of assistance throughout the season, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Contact Rick Phillips, VP, Coaching at any time for guidance and support.

No matter where you are on your coaching journey, Ontario Lacrosse is committed to providing the resources, guidance, and support you need to succeed. Join us as we continue to build a brighter future for lacrosse, one coach at a time.

Get in touch

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