Coach Selection Process

 

Coach Selection Process

 
Coach Selection Policy Statement
Fair and consistent selection of coaches from a set of coach candidates is the goal of the Ottawa Valley Silver Seven Hockey Club Coach Selection Process.
 
The Coach Selection Process is based upon the standardized scoring of training, knowledge, and experience, against an established set of coach qualification criteria.
Coach candidates are evaluated relative to the qualification criteria and the best candidate selected for the job.
 
Coaches are selected by the OVSS Coach Selection Committee.
Coach selection will have no effect or bearing on the ranking of players, see competitive team selection policy for more details. Coach selection is for one season only. All coach candidates must reapply each season for selection. All parent coaches must be prepared to return the team in the event their player does not place after the initial evaluation sessions completed by OVSS.
 
If all applicants for a team are deemed unsuitable, OVSS is not obliged to appoint any coach. The position will remain vacant until a suitable candidate is found.
 
Coach Selection Committee
The OVSS Coach Selection Committee consists of the following members:
1 – Director of Hockey Operations (Chair)
2 – Competitive Directors (3 of the 7 rotating by level – voting)
*Directors are assigned to the coach selection process for its entirety.
 
The committee when rendering decisions for any one category is a min. of four (4) members, with structure above.
 
Committee Participation
Coach Selection Committee members will abide by the following rules:
· Members shall notify in advance and not participate from any decision that involves a team on which a dependent may tryout.
· Members shall notify in advance and not participate if there is any conflict of interest arriving from a monetary relationship (i.e. occupation, customer, and client) with a coach candidate.
 
Coach Selection Qualifications
Coaches are selected based on qualification criteria. Some qualification criteria are deemed mandatory and comprise the minimum qualifications for a coach at that level and category.  Others simply contribute to the overall rating of the coach candidate.
An applicant not meeting the minimum qualifications shall not be selected over one who meets or exceeds the stated qualifications, unless their experience and ability vastly exceeds those of the more qualified applicant.
 
Selection Criteria
Coach Selection shall be based on the following criteria:
 
Training
Training qualification is based on the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) standard coach certifications.
 
All prospective head coaches in the OVSS program MUST have the minimum NCCP designation, in accordance with ODMHA Rules & Regulations.
 
See the Minimum Qualification Requirements section for details on minimum training requirements for each category/level.
 
Experience
Experience qualification is based on:
¨ The number of years as head coach
¨ The number of years as assistant coach
¨The category and level of the teams coached
¨ The association or organization of the teams coached
Preferably candidates no longer Head Coach a given level for more than three (3) seasons.
 
Background
Background qualification is based on:
¨The number of years playing hockey
¨The category and level of the teams played on
¨The association or organization of the teams played on
Preference can be given to coach candidates that can demonstrate background qualifications with playing at a higher category and level and more years of playing.
 
Evaluations for Returning OVSS Coaches
Evaluation qualification is based on the results of the yearly OVSS Coach Evaluation Program. During each year the Coach Evaluation process produces a rating of each Coach in one of three categories:
 

1. Acceptable to continue coaching.
2. Conditionally acceptable to continue coaching subject to the following: (more training, identified areas for improvement, probationary basis, assistant coach only, etc.) or
3. Unacceptable for continued coaching (very extreme cases only).

 
Preference will be given to coach candidates that have successful (category 1) coach evaluations in the OVSS system.
 
Coach evaluations in category 2 will be assessed by the Coach Selection
Committee and may result in the disqualification or lowering of preference for the coach candidate.
 
See the OVSS Coach Evaluation Program for a definition of incidents and the process by which OVSS resolves them with coaches.
 
Relationships
Relationship qualification is based on the relationship between coach candidates and players on the team.
 
Factoring relationships is considered when:
¨The parent or legal guardian of a player on the team
¨A proxy guardian of a player on the team
Proxy guardians are individuals who are associated with a player in cases where the parent(s) or legal guardian is unable to act in the role of coach.
 
Examples of such cases include (but are not restricted to):
¨Single parent families
¨Disability
¨Unusual living circumstances
The Coach Selective Committee will review applications for coach candidates that wish to apply as a proxy guardian and determine whether or not they qualify.
 
 
References
Coach candidates that do not have OVSS evaluations must provide references that can verify their background and experience.
 
References should include:
¨Coaching style
¨Adherence to fair play
¨Conduct with officials
¨Character evaluation
¨Hockey Playing Background & Coaching Experience
¨Contact Information for Reference including name, telephone number and email address.
 
Interview
The Coach Selection Committee will conduct interviews with candidate coaches (regardless if there are multiple applicants for one level), in order to establish a better sense of candidate qualifications.
 
In addition, other attributes will be assessed:
¨Coaching philosophy and style
¨Plan for development during the season
¨Adherence to fair play
¨Conduct with officials
¨Character evaluation
¨Personal Suitability
¨Effective Communication Skills for Coaching given age level
 
Coaches are to provide at their interview:

• Coaching Philosophy
• Annual Development Plan
• Qualifications

 
The interview process will be of help to the Coach Selection Committee particularly for:
· The coach candidates have qualifications that are too closely matched to make a decision.
· The coach candidate is new to the OVSS system and/or does not have any dependents playing in the system (non-parent).
 
Other Commitments
Preference will be given to coach candidates that are relatively free of other commitments.
Specifically, coaching another team, serving on the OVSS or Home Association
Board of Directors, extensive job related travel or volunteer time in non-hockey organizations are things that would be considered as other commitments.
The Coach Selection Committee will evaluate the level of other commitment and MAY include that as a factor in the selection process.
 

Minimum Qualification Requirements
All applicants must have completed and passed successfully:

• Developmental 1 (must have obtained Coach Stream and coached for 1 year prior to Dev 1)
• Speak Out or Respect in Sport

 
Coach Selection Process
The coach selection process consists of four distinct steps.
 
1. Identifying Coach Candidates
Every applicant shall submit a completed OVSS Coach Application Form indicating the volunteer position they wish to hold.
This includes specification of the:
· Role –head coach
· Category
Application forms are available on the OVSS website.
Applications must be submitted to OVSS during the coach application period.
 
2. Security and Reference Checks
Security and reference checks are mandatory and shall be performed as follows:
a) New Coach: the Coach Selection Committee, by appropriate representative, shall ensure that all 3 references are checked for applicants who have not coached for OVSS before.
 
All information supplied by references shall be recorded on the back of the OVSS Coach Application Form.
 
b) Coach candidates that have not had a Police Volunteer Security Check MUST complete and submit all forms to the Director of Risk & Discipline.
Candidates who have not completed and submitted the forms prior to August 1^st will be replaced in accordance with our policy.
Failure to pass the security or reference check will automatically result in disqualification of the coach candidate.
 
3. Selecting from the Candidate Pool
Coaches are selected from the available volunteer pool and assigned to a team.
The selection process is:
a) Assign coach candidates to each team based on player at the given level.
In the case where there is no player affiliated to the given level, then the Coach Selection Committee will assign to a team that is both short of coach candidates and for which they are qualified to coach. Note that non-parent coach candidates may be considered for one of several different coaching positions, whereas parent coaches will typically only be considered for coaching a team with a player at the given level.
This reflects the typical situation of few non-parent coach candidates and a strong desire by parent coaches to coach their player.
b) Determine which teams have no coach candidates assigned to them and recruit coach candidates to fill the position.
In such cases, the Coach Selection Committee may have to relax some of the minimum qualifications in order to fill the position.
c) Select the most qualified coach from the set of candidates assigned to each team as head coach. Qualification is based on the criteria defined in the Coach Selection Qualification section.
 
4. Disputes and Appeals
In cases where there is dispute over the selection of a coach candidate, a dispute is defined on the basis of:
A) New information has been discovered.
B) A conflict of interest of an existing OVSS Coach Selection Committee Member in the selection process is discovered. (See Committee Participation)
The following process will be followed:
A written letter defining the basis for the appeal must be submitted to the Coach Selection Committee via the OVSS President within 7 days of coach announcement.
2) An appeal meeting will be convened by the President to discuss the nature of the appeal and the details under which it can be supported, within approx. 14 days of receipt.
3) The Coach Selection Committee will meet to discuss the appeal and either accept or reject it.
 
 
Coach Selection Approval Process
 
The Director of Hockey Operations shall provide the list of selected coaches to the OVSS President by May 1^st for approval at the District 4 AGM held in May every year.
 
 
Coach Selection Communication Guideline
 

1. Applicant Submissions:
   • The Director of Hockey Operations shall provide written notice to confirm receipt of application within 96 hours.
2. Applicant Interviews:
   • The Director of Hockey Operations shall provide written or oral notice to confirm date/time/location of interview with 96 hours’ notice.
   • Candidates are expected to understand the policy and requirements listed above.
3. Successful Applicant:
   • The Director of Hockey Operations shall contact the successful applicant to confirm acceptance of Head Coach Position.
   •  
4. Unsuccessful Applicants:
   • The appointed Director of Risk & Discipline shall contact the unsuccessful applicant(s) to advise the position was awarded to another applicant.
   • If the unsuccessful applicant has questions, the appointed Director of Competitive shall contact the Director of Hockey Operations to contact the unsuccessful applicant.

 
Downloadable PDF

Version Control
 

Version	Date	Author	Notes
1.0	April 3, 2013	S. Malloy	Initial Draft – approved by D4 Board of Directors
1.1	April 17, 2013	S. Malloy	Updates from S7 Hockey Operations
2.0	April 17, 2013	S. Malloy	Additional Updates from S7 Hockey Operations