Head Coach Roles and Responsibilities

The contracted Head Coach will lead programming and support coaches for Larch Hills Nordic Jr. Ski Team’s competitive and recreational programs. The Head Coach will support the long-term athlete development (LTAD) at all levels, with a priority placed on the Club’s Track Attack and Junior Racing programs. Supporting and following Nordiq Canada’s LTAD model, the head coach will provide on-snow and dryland training sessions for recreational and competitive athletes, year-round training programs where applicable, and ongoing feedback and communication with athletes and parents. The head coach will also support program growth, development and promotion; as well as coach and instructor training.

These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Athlete and Program Support

·       Establish yearly training schedules (spring, summer, fall, winter) with communication from Parent Executive and volunteer coaches

·       Organize first fall practice during first week after Labour Day

·       Choose locations for fall Saturday practices

·       Liaise with CCBC regarding provincial coaching issues such as race and camp schedules, waxing protocols, team selections... as requested

·       Liaise with other team head coaches

·       Ensure list of nominations for BC Talent Squad is sent to CCBC prior to late March deadline (get athlete names from U14 and U16+ group leaders)

·       With assistance of U16+ group leader:

o   Coordinate yearly training plan (YTP) design with BC ski team head coach

o   Ensure Larch Hills U16+ skiers have access to log training on Training Peaks website

o   Attend three practices per week during ski season

o   Organize and attend a summer and winter training camp

·       Establish:

o   Volunteer coach coordination 

o   Assign lead coach for each group (Track Attack, U14, U16/18)

o   Assign strength coach(es) for U16 and U18 groups

o   Send message to team reminding U14 and older to purchase racing licences prior to race season start

o   Ensure website accurately reflects all practices, races and special events, including locations a minimum of three weeks in advance.  Changes to the schedule are to be communicated to the membership electronically with as much advanced notice as possible

Race Support

·      Attend races, support athletes and parent volunteers in regional Teck Cup series, BC Cup series, Track Attack Championships, Westerns, Nationals and/or other events in collaboration with the Parent Executive

·      Provide leadership, pre-race briefings, post-race debriefing and waxing expertise at races/events

Administrative

·       Give input on budget with treasurer and Parent Executive for Fall parent meeting

·       Plan a coach meeting each spring and fall

·       Review financial statements at spring coaches meeting and advise with the Parent Executive re allocation of funds

·       Represent the race team at Larch Hills Nordic Society Annual General Meetings

·       Attend monthly Parent Executive meetings

·       Maintain and update the Ski Team website with training schedules, locations and times

·       Write training plans on training peaks for U16/ U18/ U20 athletes and lead coaches

The current head coach also sets up the zone 4 registration for the all ski team programs, Track attack U12, U14, U 16, U18, U20 and rec program, linking the registration with CCBC and Nordiq Canada for insurance fees. Then share this information with all the coaches and parent admin so we can provide organized training sessions with enough coaches. 

The current head coach organizes the teams largest fundraiser which is the Reino run, he organizes the event with the Interior Running Association, uses his owe insurance to maximize the revenue for the ski team. Sets up zone 4 registration, organizes the volunteers, buys the awards, does follow up with the interior running association for series results and awards, finds sponsors, prints posters and distributes the posters with the help of a few families.