Coach Education & Training
The Needham Soccer Club is proud to be a committed partner of the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA). Through the club’s partnership with PCA, NSC is focused on providing quality “Double-Goal Coaching” for all participants.
All NSC coaches are required to obtain PCA certification via either a live, or online workshop.
About PCA
The Positive Coaching Alliance is national non-profit developing “Better Athletes, Better People”, by working to provide all youth and high school athletes a positive character building youth sports experience.
Since it’s 1998 launch at Stanford University by founder and CEO Jim Thompson, PCA has impacted more than 5 million youth athletes. PCA reaches youth and high school sport leaders, coaches, athletes, parents and officials through partnerships with school and youth sports organizations nationwide that comprise of live workshops, online courses, Thompson’s books and e-communications, providing free tips and tools.
To Take The Online Workshop
1. CLICK HERE to open the PCA Registration page
2. Click “Register with voucher code” (Option #1)
3. Enter the organization voucher code – NeedhamSports17 (case sensitive) at the top of the page and complete the form
4. Upon completing the registration you will be directed to the Double-Goal Coach course.
For visual instructions – CLICK HERE
Policy Statement
As an authorized representative of Needham Soccer Club, Needham, MA, we declare it our policy to institute the principles of Double-Goal Coaching® throughout our organization.
- We will ensure that all coaches are certified as Positive Coaching Alliance Double-Goal Coaches, who strive to win and to teach youth athletes enduring life lessons. All of our coaches will complete a comprehensive course (either live or online) in Positive Coaching principles to earn or renew their certification.
- Our leaders shall inform all parents about the Seal of Commitment.
- All coaches will receive a copy of the Double-Goal Coach Job Description
- We will display the PCA Honor the Game banner and/or signage at all appropriatefunctions, such as games, fundraisers and registration events.
This policy recognizes that certified Double-Goal Coaches are paramount to transforming the culture of youth sports and demonstrates our commitment to helping our coaches succeed, while offering all youth athletes a positive, character-building experience.
Jim Thompson, Founder/Executive Director
Positive Coaching Alliance
8/2/2011
US SOCCER COACHING LICENSING COURSE
CLUB REQUIREMENTS & INFORMATION
Needham Soccer Club is committed to providing opportunities for continued education and development for all our coaches through our partnership with Mass Youth Soccer and their nationally recognized coach educators in the US Soccer Federation and United Soccer Coaches (Formally NSCAA – National Soccer Coaches Association of America).
As of January 2018, U.S. Soccer has announced eight (8) new grassroots level coaching courses that will be focused on “empowering coaches through experiential learning and a player-centered approach”. The new Grassroots Licensing Courses will consist of four (4) in-person experiences and four (4) online experiences. Coaches will have the option to engage in any of these new courses – in any sequence – after completing a free introductory module provided by U.S. Soccer.
“This new, a-la-carte approach is meant to empower grassroots coaches to access education – relevant to their needs and specific coaching environment – immediately through these new low barrier opportunities,” said Frank Tschan, Director of Coaching Administration for US Soccer.
Concurrently with the roll out of the new courses, the current F and E courses will transition out of the U.S. Soccer Coaching Pathway. These licenses will still be recognized by U.S. Soccer and both certifications remain relevant as a means to advance within the pathway.
Mandatory Licenses & Training
As a result NSC has updated our minimum requirements for all of our coaches to align with the new Grassroots Coaching structure.
Given that coaches are allowed to take these grassroots courses in ANY order; NSC encourages all of our coaches to complete both the online and in person course that aligns with the current level in which they are coaching.
NSCJA COACHES – Grassroots 4v4 Course
Click to take online 4v4 Course
3rd/4th Grade Coaches – Grassroots 7v7 Course
Click to take 7v7 Course online
5th/6th Grade Coaches – Grassroots 9v9 Course
Click to take 9v9 Course online
7th Grade & UP Coaches – Grassroots 11v11 Course
Click to take 11v11 Course online
As coaches continue with Needham Soccer Club and move through the age groups, they are encouraged to work up the license pathway. Licenses are also one of our criteria taken into consideration when it comes to selecting coaches for BAYS Travel teams. Needham Soccer Club periodically hosts these courses in town. While you can also find a master list of courses being held across the state at Mass Youth Soccer.
