Youth Team Coach Posting (Volunteer Positions)
Youth National Coaches – 2026–2027 Youth Climbing Program
Application Deadline: January 30, 2026
Climbing Escalade Canada (CEC) is the National Sport Organization for competition climbing in Canada. We lead the promotion and development of the sport and support athletes in achieving their high-performance potential in an ethical, equitable, and fair competition environment. Every day, we strive to live our values of being athlete-centred, accountable, sustainable, inclusive, and committed to a culture of excellence.
POSITION SUMMARY
Climbing Escalade Canada (CEC) is seeking up to six (6) Youth National Coaches for the 2026 and 2027 Youth World Championships (YWC) seasons, with the possibility to extend for the 2028 Youth World Championships season.
Core purpose of the role: Lead Canada’s youth national program to sustained, high-performance results at Youth World Championships and along the pathway toward future World Cups, World Championships, and Olympic/Paralympic cycles.
Reporting to and working closely with the High Performance Director (HPD), the Youth National Coaches will form a Youth National Coaching Team and will be responsible for designing and delivering an ongoing Youth National Team Program that supports safe, inclusive, athlete-centred development and contributes directly to Canada’s long-term high-performance pathway toward LA 2028 and beyond.
Following their appointment, the Youth National Coaches will select a Youth Head Coach(es) from among themselves, in consultation with the HPD. The Youth Head Coach will coordinate the Youth National Coaching Team and act as the primary point(s) of contact with the HPD. Youth Head Coach(es) may rotate within the group year to year.
Youth National Coaches will report day-to-day to the Youth Head Coach(es) for program operations, while ultimate supervision and oversight of the Youth National Team Program remains with the HPD. Annual performance reviews will occur at the conclusion of each Youth World Championships.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
In collaboration with the HPD, the Youth National Coaches will:
- Program design and preparation
- In collaboration with athletes’ personal coaches, support the development of a performance plan (Individual Performance Plan, Yearly Training Plan, generalized multi-year plan) for athletes in their respective discipline, age, and gender category.
- Provide consultation and recommendations for athlete preparation before the YWC, aligned with CEC’s high-performance pathway and LTAD principles.
- Prepare and deliver Youth National Team training/development opportunities (regional, provincial, national), including but not limited to:
- Training sessions or camps
- Preparatory competitions
- Ancillary knowledge and skill development (physical preparation, mental performance, nutritional practices, recovery, etc.)
- Contribute to talent identification and progression, working with provincial/territorial organizations and club/personal coaches to align technical and tactical approaches.
- Travel and supervision
- Support in the planning and delivery of team logistics (uniforms, travel, accommodation, pre-competition training, etc.) and attend the 2026 Youth World Championships in Arco (ITA), the 2027 and the 2028 Youth World Championships (locations TBD), dependent on program funding
- Support team logistics and athlete welfare, including but not limited to:
- Nightly bed checks
- Day-to-day logistics support as required
- Communicate appropriately with parents/guardians, maintaining clear professional boundaries and expectations around athlete welfare and supervision.
- On-site coaching and performance support
- Lead and deliver on-site coaching at the Youth World Championships, including but not limited to:
- Detailed daily coaching plans for training and competition days
- Clear allocation of coaching staff duties and responsibilities
- In-competition athlete support on training days (if possible) and event days
- Use performance analysis (e.g., video review, data, competition debriefs) to inform coaching decisions, support strategy, and guide individualized feedback.
- Track athlete performance and contribute to ongoing performance monitoring and gap analysis.
- Facilitate daily debriefs and team meetings to consolidate learning and maintain alignment.
- Lead and deliver on-site coaching at the Youth World Championships, including but not limited to:
- Culture, Safe Sport, and Well-being
- Foster a positive, athlete-centred, safe, and inclusive high-performance culture.
- Establish and reinforce team values, standards, and protocols, managing discipline and behaviour on and off the field of play.
- Uphold Safe Sport principles and all relevant codes of conduct, ensuring athlete welfare, health, and safety are prioritised in all decisions and interactions.
- Model and promote a positive, inclusive, “world-class” environment aligned with CEC’s values.
- Reporting
- Prepare and submit a post-event report following the conclusion of each Youth World Championships, including key learnings and recommendations for future seasons.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Demonstrates initiative and self-motivation
- Able to work independently with minimal supervision
- Highly organised with strong planning and time-management skills; comfortable juggling multiple priorities and deadlines
- Able to manage individual differences and group dynamics, maintaining a cohesive and performance-focused environment
- Credible, honest, and of high integrity, with a strong sense of professional responsibility
- Strong educator/mentor orientation, not just performance-only coaching; committed to developing youth athletes for the long term
- Able to build trust with youth athletes and their families, while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
- Excellent interpersonal skills and strong communication abilities (oral and written), able to communicate clearly with athletes, staff, parents/guardians, and external stakeholders
- Able to work under pressure, make decisions in uncertain contexts, and handle irregular/long hours and travel
- Demonstrated commitment to Safe Sport, inclusion, and a positive, respectful culture, representing CEC professionally in all settings
SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS, AND EXPERIENCE
- Strong knowledge of competition climbing rules, strategies, and training methodologies
- Experience in a Head Coach or Lead Coach role within a National, Provincial, or Club high-performance program, including:
- Experience preparing athletes for high-level competition (national and international)
- Experience coaching all three disciplines (boulder, lead, speed) or strong experience specialising in one or two disciplines
- Experience creating:
- Yearly Training Plans
- Competition Plans
- Individual Performance Plans
- Performance tracking and gap analyses
- CEC registrate and coach in good standing
- Completion of CEC Screening Requirements and other compliance requirements, such as the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP)
- Knowledge of Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) is considered a strong asset
- Experience working within a national or provincial high-performance system and, ideally, with an Integrated Support Team (IST) (e.g., S&C, medical, mental performance, sport science) is an asset
- Comfortable using basic technology and data tools (e.g., spreadsheets, shared documents, video review platforms) to support planning and performance analysis
- Bilingualism (English and French) with excellent spoken and written skills in both languages is an asset
POSITION DETAILS
- Immediate Supervisor: High Performance Director
- Youth National Coaches have day-to-day technical reporting to the Youth Head Coach(es) once appointed, with overall supervision and performance oversight by the HPD.
- Term: from appointment until September 1, 2028
- Time Commitment: Part-time, volunteer position
- Travel, accommodation, and daily per diem for attendance at the Youth World Championships will be covered by CEC.
- Location: Primarily remote, with the requirement to attend the 2026, 2027 and 2028 Youth World Championships. Successful candidates are expected to work from home and provide their own IT equipment.
- Start Date: To be confirmed with successful candidates.
HOW TO APPLY
Application Deadline: January 30, 2026
Interested candidates are invited to apply via this online form, including a resume, and a brief cover letter outlining relevant experience and interest in the role
For questions about the position, please contact:
Kraig Devlin
High Performance Director, Climbing Escalade Canada
kraig@climbingcanada.ca
CEC thanks all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
