JOB OPPORTUNITY - ABA PROVINCIAL HEAD COACH (FULL TIME POSITION)

February 5, 2009

Position Purpose:

The Provincial Head Coach is responsible for the development of competitive cyclists in Alberta, both at the provincial team and at club levels

About the Alberta Bicycle Association:

The Alberta Bicycle Association (ABA) is the affiliated provincial branch of the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA). The ABA is responsible for facilitating introduction to organized cycling and to develop a strong competitive cycling program, while protecting and advocating the rights of cyclists and acting as the organizing body which promotes all aspects of cycling in Alberta. The ABA is a not-for-profit association run by volunteers, relying on membership fees, fundraising, and government support for operating funds. ABA members include road, track, BMX, cyclo-cross and mountain bike racers, recreational and transportation cyclists, educators, coaches, officials, administrators, enthusiasts, volunteers, and advocates of the sport.

Supervision Reporting Relationships:

The Head Coach reports directly to the Executive Director of the ABA and liaises with ABA program coordinators, other coaches, the ABA Racing Committee, and athletes to encourage and facilitate Alberta cyclists to reach their potential at all levels.

Location:

This position may be based anywhere in Alberta, however the Provincial Head Coach will be required to travel within the province and nationally. Travel is inherent to the nature of the position, and thus willingness and ability to travel is a condition of employment.

Key Responsibility Areas:

The key responsibility areas (KRAs) are the major outputs for which the position is responsible and are not a comprehensive statement of the position activities

1. Provincial Team

The Head Coach is responsible for the ABA’s provincial team programs. The ABA sends provincial teams to selected out-of-province and national events. The ABA does not develop international level athletes but works with the CCA to ensure that opportunities are available to highlight the talents of provincial athletes who may be good candidates for CCA projects or teams.

• Develop annual and long-term objectives for provincial team program
• Maintain a talent pool of athletes eligible for provincial team projects, and maintain contact with those athletes (and their coaches) on an ongoing basis to advise them of upcoming provincial team projects. The Head Coach will also assist athletes’ coaches to ensure that the athletes’ programs prepare them to excel at provincial team racing projects.
• Coordinate provincial team camps, and, in areas where the Head Coach is an expert, provide coaching at those camps.
• Establish selection standards for provincial teams.
• Make recommendations to the Racing Committee for the provincial team program in each year. Development of riders to compete at Canada Games and Western Canada Games is a part of this program.
• Recommend provincial team candidates to the Racing Committee for all projects.
• Coach athletes at provincial team projects in disciplines where the Head Coach is an expert.
• Select coaches for provincial team projects. If not acting as the coach on a provincial team project or camp, the Head Coach will be responsible for the contracting of the selected coach(es) with relevant expertise, and their performance at the provincial team project or camp.

2. Athlete development

The development of high level athletes in the province requires a pool of athletes at all levels to provide competition for current and future provincial team athletes. While development of such athletes will be primarily provided by their clubs and individual coaches, the Head Coach is to manage this process by:

• Developing a program of provincial camps to assist athletes develop specific skills and
• Contracting qualified coaches to conduct these camps and ensuring that their performance fulfils the objectives of the camps.
• Developing talent identification programs

3. Coach Development

The Head Coach is not expected to coach individual athletes except at provincial team events. The Head Coach is expected to have skills to mentor all coaches operating in the province.

• Coordinate and, where appropriate, deliver courses for NCCP and evaluate coaches for qualification recommendations
• Organize periodic coaches’ conferences to provide networking opportunities and skills upgrades
• Be available to advise coaches in the province on their own development and the organization of the programs they operate
• Promote the CCA Long Term Athlete Development Model

SECTION C:  Key Selection Criteria

A suitable candidate for the position will have a post-secondary degree in Sport or Recreation, or related experience. Candidates must be comfortable working with computers; experience with Microsoft Excel is desirable. The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator, and bring a high level of energy to the position.

Experience / Qualifications / Attributes:  Required by the incumbent to successfully perform the positions key responsibilities.

Candidates must be registered in or have completed NCCP Level III (or international equivalent). NCCP Course Conductor Status for cycling components of the National Coaching Certification Program is considered an asset.

Closing Date: Interested candidates should apply on or before March 6th, 2009 at 4:00pm MST. Late applications will not be considered. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

Submit Resume and Salary Expectations to:
Kipp Kaufmann
Executive Director
Alberta Bicycle Association
11759 Groat Road
Edmonton, AB
T5M 3K6
kipp@albertabicycle.ab.ca
780-427-6352