What is the NCDP?
The National Coaching Development Program (NCDP) is a result of the need for the United States fencing community to have a clear pathway for coaches to learn coaching skills and knowledge.
The NCDP will provide coaches with a clear, well-defined path from novice to expert. This comprehensive program will create a strong, knowledgeable and well-educated coaching community in the U.S. The program will incentivize club, academic, private and public institutions to recruit, educate, certify and retain coaches for the sport of fencing. The NCDP is an excellent opportunity for fencing coaches to develop their skills, knowledge and opportunity in the U.S. fencing community.
In 2023, the USFCA begins piloting the National Coaching Development Program (NCDP) in-person clinics. The program comprises five progressive levels, each focusing on specific requirements that must be met in order to earn a coaching certification. Continuing Education will be required at all Levels to maintain a coaching license. (See above chart)
The NCDP is a work in progress at this time. The USFCA is piloting Level 2 (Assistant Moniteur) and Level 3 (Moniteur) face-to-face clinics between January and early May 2023. In Summer 2023, the USFCA launches three residency camps piloting three Level 3 and Level 4 training and certification. The USFCA will be transitioning from its current certification process to the new NCDP over the next three years. Any pilot clinic a coach takes during this transition will carry over and count toward their certification and licensing requirements in the future.
How Do I Get Certified?
Currently, an Assistant Moniteur and Moniteur Coaches can earn certification by following one of two pathways while we transition to a new system of certification.
At the start of the above-mentioned transition, Assistant Moniteurs (Level 2) and Moniteurs (Level 3) may choose either of two pathways outlined in the below chart. Level 4 and Level 5 transitional pathways to certification are currently under development and will be announced soon.
The first NCDP pilot clinics are scheduled - keep your eye on the National Coaching Clinic webpage: More information about NCDP clinics is available here.