Coaches

Coaches and Officials

Sport excellence starts with great coaches and officials

Coaches and technical officials are essential to the conduct and development of triathlon. Athletes of all levels rely on coaching guidance and support to develop their potential and avoid injury. Effective officiating at competitions and events helps ensure safety, and supports the fairness of competition.

Coaching

How to become a coach

Coaches are in integral part of the sport of Triathlon. They are the people that guide athletes toward personal goals through private one-on-one coaching and performance goals of a local club or provincial program.  To these ends, we have a diversity of coaches in Saskatchewan some of whom will have their own private businesses while others will be not-for-profit to provide access to high quality coaching at below market rates.

To become a triathlon coach, the first level on that pathway is to become Trained. Here are the typical steps involved in becoming a Triathlon Coach in Saskatchewan:

  1. Establishing an account with the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and receiving an NCCP account number. Click here to register with CAS through The Locker.
  2. Registering with Triathlon Saskatchewan and Canada as an annual member.  Click here to obtain your annual membership.
  3. Registering and completing Triathlon Canada’s Triathlon Community Coaching Coarse with online theory and practice components. Note, these courses are organized by Tri Sask every year and facilitated with a Triathlon Canada Coach Developer.
  4. Completing education and Safe Sport requirements, which include a Criminal Record Check and Respect in Sport Training.
  5. Completing Provincial Technical Official Level 1 training with Triathlon Sask.

To find more information about how to become a coach, please contact Triathlon Saskatchewan.

Certification levels

Triathlon Canada is responsible for the education and development of Triathlon Community and Competition coaches. Click on the following link to review the 2024 Triathlon Canada Coaching Pathway.  Here is an overview,

Triathlon Community Coach

If you’re thinking of becoming qualified as a community sport coach, then you may already coach at the community level or be interested in doing so. Often, you’re a parent whose child is involved in sport, or a volunteer who works with participants of all ages that are new to a sport. There are two levels of workshops for community triathlon coaches: youth and adult.

Triathlon Competition Coach

Coaches in the competition stream usually have prior coaching experience, are private coaches, or former athletes. Competition Coaches tend to work with athletes over the long term to improve performance, often in preparation for provincial, national, and international competitions. There are three education streams for competition coaches: introduction, development and high-performance.

For an infographic on the pathways to become a Triathlon Canada Coach, click on the link below:

2024 Triathlon Canada Coaching Pathway

Officiating

What is a Provincial Technical Official?

If you are knowledgeable about the sport and competition rules of World Triathlon and you have strong communications and observational skills, consider becoming a trained Provincial Technical Official (PTO). PTOs ensure that a sanctioned event is safe, meets standards set by World Triathlon, and fair for participants, especially those that are part of a competitive series or qualifiers for national and world championships.  

PTOs are in charge of the conduct of competitions at local, provincial, national, and international events, depending on their level of certification and experience. TriSask develops Provincial Technical Officials at the Level I for local triathlon competitions and Level II and above for inter-provincial and national development, and World qualifiers. 

All coaches are required to complete the PTO Level 1 Official Course, which can be completed online through the annual member portal.  Level 1 is also required for anyone planning to serve as an event race director.

To become a Provincial Technical Official please contact us directly.

How to become a Technical Official

Officials ensure competitions are conducted in a safe and fair manner under the governing rules of World Triathlon. The sport of Triathlon could not exist without dedicated and competent officials. In Saskatchewan, officials expenses are reimbursed and some officials receive an honorarium (i.e. Technical Delegate who is the head official for an event) but most are volunteers. 

Triathlon Saskatchewan is always looking for new individuals to become trained and certified Provincial Technical Officials (PTOs).  Triathlon Saskatchewan encourages each sanctioned club to encourage local members to become trained and certified. Annual members can take the PTO I and II training online through the annual member portal.  Once the training is complete, we will assign you to a local event in your community as part of Triathlon Saskatchewan’s officiating team. One you officiate, you can become certified.  

Provincially sanctioned events provide an excellent opportunity for experienced PTOs to develop professionally by working with higher-level officials. Triathlon Saskatchewan Officials’ Development Model falls under those used by Triathlon Canada, and World Triathlon for officiating roles/practical experience. Using Triathlon Canada’s criteria, Triathlon Saskatchewan officials can progress to high levels of certification by officiating in different roles and events in and outside of Saskatchewan. It’s a real pathway for development that may interest the retired triathlete looking to give back, share knowledge and experience, and grow the sport. It’s up to you!  

Official development path

The development path for officials begins with a Level 1 Course. TriSask intends to hold Level 1 Courses every year.

Official Development Path

Provincial Technical Official 1: A race official capable of reporting and enforcing rule infractions, usually employed as an assistant to the head official at a local or provincial event. A level 1 official is mentored by higher level officials and will be subject to an evaluation process.

Provincial Technical Official 2: Works at provincial level events in roles such as Technical Delegate, Head Official, and Sector Lead, and can present the level 1 course. Level 2 requires participation in a level 2 course and passing an evaluation/mentorship process.

National Triathlon Official (Mentoring) 3: Works at national and international events as head official, sector lead, or official under the mentorship of a full NTO official, and can present both level 1 and level 2 courses.

National Triathlon Official: Works at national and international events in all roles, presents level 1 and level 2 courses, and may be assigned to mentor level 3 NTOs.

Levels of Triathlon Officials

Triathlon officials progress from the Provincial to International Level. Here is a summary of the levels,

  • Provincial Technical Official (PTO) Level I and II: these levels are novice and local event officials working at provincial races.
  • National Technical Official (NTO): these levels are provincial and national championship event officials and are recognized as an ITU Level 1 Official.
  • Continental Technical Official (CTO) & International Technical Official (ITO): these levels are required for major international events including Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, the Olympics and Para-Olympic Games.

Official Development Clinics are conducted during the winter. These clinics are free and accessible online through the member portal 24/7. Once you have completed the training, we’ll meet with you online to set up a plan and discuss your interests and availability using the calendar of events. For more information, send our PTO coordinator note at sanctioning@triathlonsaskatchewan.org

Call for Volunteers to Serve as Provincial Technical Officials and Trained Triathlon Community Coaches

Tri Sask is recruiting triathlon officials and community coaches for the 2025 Season. If officiating and coaching in your community interests you, please send us an expression of interest email (executivedirector@triathlonsaskatchewan.org) and we will work with you to get trained and placed in a local event and/or community program.

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Fund Administrator: Sask Sport
Fund Name: The Saskatchewan Triathlon Legacy Fund
Fund Registration: The SLF is registered with CRA and donations are tax deductible
Approved Purpose: Athlete Excellence Program Education, Travel, Equipment, and Clothing
Fundraising Questions: Contact Dr. Yvonne Cafik at executivedirector@triathlonsaskatchewan.org
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