FAQ

Central Alberta Lacrosse League (CALL)

Coach Certification & Helper Standards FAQ

This FAQ guide is designed to help clubs, coaching directors, and volunteers understand the requirements and policies related to coaching and volunteering within the Central Alberta Lacrosse League (CALL).

1. Coaching Certification Overview

Q: Which certification courses are available, and how many can a coach take per season?
A: Coaches can take one course per season. First-year coaches must begin with the Community Development certification.

2. U7-U13 Coach Requirements

• Community Development Certification
• Current VSS (Vulnerable Sector Screening) Police Clearance (valid for 3 years)

3. U15-U17 Coach Requirements

• Competitive Introduction Certification
• Making Ethical Decisions Course
• Making Headway Course
• Current VSS Police Clearance (valid for 3 years)

4. Helper Requirements

Under 16

• Must be registered with the ALA.
• Must wear a helmet at all times.
• Must be supervised by a trained coach.

16 and Over (Helpers, Not on the Bench)

• Must be registered with the ALA.
• Must wear a helmet at all times.
• Must be supervised at all times by a trained coach.
• Cannot be on the bench.

16 and Over (Wanting to Be on the Bench)

• Must take the required coaching course.
• Must submit a VSS Police Clearance.

5. Bench Personnel Requirements

ALA 13.01 - Bench personnel are considered coaches and trainers.

ALA 13.02 - In all games (including regular league, playoffs, exhibition, and tournaments), teams are required to have all bench personnel who meet Lacrosse Canada (LC) Minimum Standards.

ALA 13.03 -All female-only teams must have at least one registered female bench personnel. This individual must be registered to the team in RAMP, appear on the game sheet, and be listed in the ALA Registration System.

ALA 13.04 - Bench personnel are determined based on the ALA Registration System for each team. Only coaches with the required qualifications and certified trainers are permitted on the bench. To be eligible to coach, all coaches must meet the requirements of LC Minimum Standards, applicable to each discipline of lacrosse.

ALA 13.05 Trainer Certification Requirements

Trainers must have appropriate certification, which is defined as one of the following:

• Any St. John Ambulance Emergency First Aid course (8+ hours) or equivalent
• Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid & First Responder
• Canadian Red Cross Sport First Responder and Sport Aid course
• Hockey Canada Safety Program (HCSP)
• An appropriate medical designation, including but not limited to:
  • Medical Doctor (MD)
  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Physiotherapist
  • Police Officer
  • Firefighter
  • Chiropractor
  • Registered Massage Therapist

Note: CPR alone is not considered an equivalency.

ALA 13.06 - The ALA recognizes only one trainer per team on the bench, and their role is strictly limited to trainer-related activities (not coaching).

ALA 13.07 - All coaches must be at least 16 years old in the year they wish to attend a coaching clinic and coach an ALA-sanctioned team.

6. Board Members, Non-coach/official employees or managers CRC/VSS Requirements

Q: Do board members, team managers, or treasurers require a Criminal Record Check (CRC) or Vulnerable Sector Check (VSS)?

A: Yes, the ALA Screening Policy categorizes these roles as Level 2 - Medium Risk, which requires a Criminal Record Check (CRC) but does not require a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSS) unless otherwise specified.

Who falls under Level 2 - Medium Risk?

• Non-coach/official employees or managers (e.g., team managers, treasurers).
• Directors, including ALA, LGB, club, or team board members.

What is required for these roles?

• A Criminal Record Check (CRC).
• Additional screening may be requested at the discretion of the Screening Officer.

When is a VSS required?

• If an individual in these roles also takes on coaching or bench personnel responsibilities, they must meet LC Minimum Standards, which may include a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSS).
• If an individual has frequent or unsupervised access to vulnerable individuals, a VSS may be requested by the Screening Officer.

7. Clarification on Board Members & Minor Volunteers

Q: What if a minor wants to volunteer?

• The volunteer must report to the Coach Coordinator to ensure they meet all helper or coaching requirements.
• Refer to the Helper Requirements in Section 4.

8. Why We Don’t Address Questions and Concerns on Social Media

Many clubs choose not to address concerns on social media. Instead, members are encouraged to:

• Review official websites (ALA, CALL, etc.).
• Check bylaws, regulations, and policies.
• Email their home club President for further details.

This approach ensures:

• Information is accurate and comes from the appropriate authorities.
• Miscommunication from social media posts is minimized.
• Volunteers remain focused on club objectives rather than online debates.

9. Use of Personal vs. Association Emails

Q: Why do I see personal email addresses instead of official association emails?

• Some clubs use email aliases (e.g., president@...) that forward messages to personal emails.
• Upon replying, the personal email may appear instead of the alias.
• Many clubs use separate Gmail accounts for board roles, which is recommended for consistency and accessibility across seasons.

10. Final Notes

We hope this FAQ clarifies the Coach Certification & Helper Standards within the Central Alberta Lacrosse League.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact:

• Your local club President
• Your Coach Coordinator
• The Central Alberta Lacrosse League directly