Thank you for your interest in coaching. In order to provide our players with a supportive and safe environment, Lacrosse Canada and the BCLA mandate that all Head and Assistant Coaches be trained to National and Provincial standards. To step on the bench, floor, or field you will need the following:
Please note that Lacrosse Canada is releasing a rule book in 2026 that matches the World Lacrosse Rule book, some of what is below may change as everyone processes the changes.
Training and Certification
Coaches
- Criminal Background Check (has to be renewed every 3 years)
- All coaches from U7 to U13 must be COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRAINED along with completing the modules:
- 1) NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport
- 2) NCCP Emergency Action Plan
- 3) Understanding the rule of two
- 4) Making Headway
- 5) Making Ethical Decisions
- The above courses are completed online
- The Community Development and Competitive courses are held in person and usually in New Westminster (Justice Institute or Douglas College)
- All U15 and U17 coaches must complete their Competition Introduction training
- Competition Introduction the requirements are:
- “In-Training” (attended clinic)
- “Trained” (clinic + completion of Making Headway AND completion of MED)
- All coaching courses and training will be paid or reimbursed by the VMLA
Trainers
- Trainers must be certified a minimum of first responders (firefighter, ambulance, armed forces personnel, medical professional, etc.) or have an approved and valid trainer's certificate.
- Trainers will be registered on the Form 100B and noted on each game sheet
- Trainers must also have a valid Criminal background Check.
Logistics
- Four (4) coaches maximum allowed on the bench U9 and obove. If you use a trainer on the bench he or she cannot be used as a fifth coach
- U5 and U7 coaches are allowed on the floor
- You may coach the team as a collective, but during a game a head coach must be declared on the game sheet and is responsible for the team and their assistant coaches’ behavior
- The minimum age for Assistant Coaches of U11 and lower is 14 years of age
- The minimum age for Assistant Coaches of U13 and up is 16 years of age (calendar year) and up
- Any Coach under eighteen (18) must wear a helmet on the bench
- The names of all bench personnel must appear clearly on the official game sheet (including trainers)
- The Form 100B (for Box due May 1) 100M (for field due Oct 1) mentioned above is a list of all the coaches for each team for that season. This form will be completed by the respective VP for box or field. Please promptly supply required contact information when asked
- The Community Development training will qualify a head coach or assistant coach to coach both field and box disciplines up to U15
To arrange for a Criminal Background check or training module contact VP1@vancouverlacrosse.com for box and vp2@vancouverlacrosse.com for field. There is direction to self register for the courses.
Important Update for All Coaches - Mandatory In-Person “Making Ethical Decisions” Course Starting in 2026
Starting in 2026, Lacrosse Canada and the Coaching Association of Canada will require all coaches to complete an in-person “Making Ethical Decisions” (MED) course as part of their certification pathway.
Key Details:
- Completion of the in-person MED course is mandatory for coaches who have not yet completed the MED training.
- Once the course is completed, the coach’s status on both the Community Development (CMD) Training and the Competitive Introduction (CPI) Training will change from “In Training” to “Trained.”
- Coaches who have already completed the MED course (either in-person or online) will be exempt from retaking it.
Please check your Locker profile on the Coaching Association of Canada’s website to confirm your MED status and plan accordingly.
Courses can be found on the ViaSport website at: https://viasport.ca/courses/
