POLICY

OFVC Board Operations

Last updated: August 19, 2021

Direction

Coaches shall be under the direct supervision of the Club Head Coach who shall be authorized to determine the process for identification of coaches – recruitment, applications, interviews, reference checks, etc.  At a minimum, applicants must submit a resume of coaching, educational and professional qualifications.

Minimum Certification Requirements

All Fusion coaches must possess the minimum requirements listed by the OVA in-order to be an assistant coach.  Those who hold the position of Head coach must in addition complete the listed minimum requirements listed by the OVA to hold a head coach position.  The Board may waive this requirement for coaches or assistant coaches at its discretion upon receipt of a written commitment on the part of the coach to complete the required certification at its earliest availability or if there is a new directive or policy change by the OVA.

Screening

All coaches shall be subject to a Police Record Check (PRC) and Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) every three years in accordance with OVA policy.  In the off years, all coaches must complete the OVA Online Offence Declaration.  Any new coach joining the coaching staff, must have a PRC and VSS no older than 1 year prior to joining the club.  Coaches’ PRC and VSS documentation will be held by the Director of Volleyball Programs and provided to the OVA upon request.

Appointment process

The Board shall be responsible for appointing coaches to teams annually based on the recommendation of the Club Head Coach.  The goal is that each team will be assigned the number of coaches deemed adequate to provide appropriate training and coaching at practices and tournaments. For most teams, this would consist of one head coach and one assistant coach. Experience, availability, compatibility, coaching style as it suits the age group, and coaches' preferences will be taken into consideration in placement.

Coaching Committee

Under the direction of the Club Head Coach and when there are adequate committee members, a Coaching Committee may be raised to support the coaching staff.  The Club President or, at his/her direction, a Vice President shall be a member of the Coaching Committee.  The Club Head Coach will select the remaining committee members.

Coaching Consecutive Seasons

In order to provide athletes the benefit of the experience of a number of different coaches over the course of their club career, a head coach will be limited to 2 consecutive years with the same core group of athletes^[1].  Exceptional circumstance requests to override this condition may be considered by the Club Head Coach.

Parent Coaches

The Club encourages interested parents to pursue coaching certification in order to coach with the club.  A parent shall be limited to 2 years as head coach for his or her own child’s team.  At the 17U and 18U levels, the club will restrict parents from coaching their child’s team.  Exceptional circumstance requests to override this condition may be considered by the Club Head Coach.

Training, Professional Development and Evaluation

The Club Head Coach shall develop and implement an annual training and development plan for Fusion coaches.  The Club shall endeavour to financially support training and development activities for coaches in accordance with the approved annual budget.  Coaches will only be reimbursed for training and development activities upon submission of a receipt for fees incurred and completion of a full season of coaching with the Club.

Supplementary Coaches / Sport Science Services

On occasion, the OFVC may employ external services to augment the skills and knowledge of our coaching staff.  These may include guest coaches, nutritionists, sports psychologists, and any other expertise that the Board deems appropriate.  The Club will receive verification of their certification, background and then approve, on recommendation of the Coaching Committee or Club Head Coach, the programs that they intend to deliver.  Coaches may also choose to bring in external service providers to support the development plan for their team.  These programs and service providers must be approved by the Club Head Coach in advance.

Coaches’ Honorariums

Compete Head and Assistant coaches shall be eligible for an honorarium based on their full-time commitment to the Club during the competitive season (September - June). The maximum honorarium for each coaching category will be set by the Board of Directors at the beginning of the season and approved for payment by the Club’s Head Coach at year-end (prior to June 30). At its discretion, the Board, on the recommendation of the Club Head Coach, may adjust the payment to a coach based on his/her participation in Club activities (practices, tournaments, social events, etc.) throughout the year.

The Board may from time to time, for ease of accounting, alter the timing, amount and percentage of payment of honorariums. Payment may be withheld at the discretion of the Board if team equipment (balls, med kit, training equipment, etc.) has not been returned to the Club.

Expense reimbursement – Club budget

Coaches, with permission from the Club Head Coach, in unique circumstances, may be required to purchase equipment or supplies for club/team purposes and use. Reimbursement, with proof of receipt from the purchase and approval from the Club Head Coach, will be made through submission of the receipt to the Club’s Vice President of Finance.

Expense reimbursement – Team budget

Coaches shall be eligible for expense reimbursement from the respective team budget related to participation in tournaments as follows:

1. Approved transportation (driving) – Teams will be expected to provide transportation for all team coaches to and from out-of-town tournaments.   If a coach chooses to provide his/her own transportation, he/she/they will be responsible for their own travel expenses.  Should circumstances arise that the team is unable to provide transportation for a coach (eg. no room in vehicles), the team shall reimburse the coach for gas charges to/from the tournament.  The coach shall submit receipts to the team manager in order to receive payment

2. Approved transportation (other) – When distance requires a team to make other arrangements for transportation (ie. Air, rail, bus), they will be expected to cover the cost of transportation for their head coach and one assistant coach.  If a team has a second assistant coach, it is up to the discretion of the team manager, in consultation with team parents, whether to provide transportation for a second assistant coach to attend.

3. Accommodation – Teams will be expected to provide accommodation for all team coaches at out-of-town tournaments.  If coaches are of the same gender, the team is only responsible for the expense of one hotel room, on a shared room basis.  If coaches are of opposite gender, the team must cover the cost of separate rooms.  A coach, at his or her sole discretion, may share with a parent in order to reduce cost to the team.  If two coaches of the same gender choose not to share a room, the team will be responsible for half the cost of each coach’s room.

Coach’s Uniform / Dress Code

The OFVC shall provide an approved clothing package for all Club coaches from the Club budget.  The OFVC dress code for coaches applies:

• Coaches must wear approved OFVC clothing items at all tournaments, games, and exhibitions;
• Coaches must comply with OVA and/or Volleyball Canada policies for such;
• Shorts, skirts and pants should be black;
• Sandals or open-toed shoes shall not be worn on the court at tournaments, games or exhibitions