Frequently Asked Questions

on the SOWI Coach Certification Training Process.

(Please see the Competition Guide for Certification Guidelines)

Q&A on the SOWI Training Process.

Q. When does all of this take effect?
A. Enforcement of the required certification process began the Fall season of 2004.   SOWI continues to educating agencies, coaches and parents on the process.  

Q. Do all of my coaches have to be certified?
A. No.  Each team attending a State Games will be required to have a head coach who is certified in that sport.  Likewise, each Agency will be required to have a sport-specific certified coach on staff for each of its individual sports.  

Q. Does that mean that I have to have a head coach certified for each bowling or bocce team?
A.  No.  Bocce and Bowling, and relays will fall under the same guidelines as individual sports. 

Q. If I am certified in one sport, does that cover me for all sports?
A. No. Certifications must be sport-specific.  That means if you are a head coach for three different sports, you must become certified in each of the three to meet the requirement. 

Q. If I am already certified, do I have to go through the process again?
A. No.  If you are already certified, you are still certified.  If you were certified prior to October 2002, your certification will expire three years from then (October 1, 2005).  You have the next three years to participate in the re-certification process.  All those certified after October of 2002 will be certified for three years from the date of completion of the process. 

Q. If I attend a training school, does that mean I’m certified?
A. No.  You must still complete the practicum, and submit your certification form to the SOWI Program office in order to become certified.  Coaches must also be Registered A Volunteers with SOWI to become certified.  Once your paperwork is received, you then meet the requirement for Wisconsin.  

Q.  Do all my years of coaching experience count toward my practicum requirement?
A. No.  Practicum hours must take place after the training school has been attended. 

Q. Do I have to attend a sport-specific training school to re-certify in a particular sport?
A. No.  Re-certification guidelines are much broader.  You can re-new your certification by attending any training school, or by attending some sort of other sports-related educational course.  Guidelines for re-certification are available in the Competition Guide (SOWI suggests that you get prior approval if you’re not sure). 

Q. Can I run my own re-certification program?
A. Yes.  If you pre-approve your agenda with your Area Sports Coordinator or the Program Office, you can offer your own re-certification clinic (please note that these must be sports related, and General Orientations do not count toward re-certification). 

Q. Do I have to attend a re-certification for each sport in which I am currently certified? 
A. No.  Attendance at one re-certification session will renew all of your certifications for an additional three years. 

Q. What if my certified coach has an emergency and is unable to attend the State Games?  
A. A process is being developed that will allow a substitute of another certified coach to attend as a substitute (the substitute coach must be certified, although not specifically in that sport). 

Q. What can I do if a certified training school is not offered in my Area?
A. If you have a group of individuals interested in attending a Certified Training School, contact your Regional Director of Sports.  In some cases, arrangements can be made to offer one close to or at your Agency. 

Q.  How can I find out what certifications my coaches have? 
A. Certification information has been added to the Volunteer A reports distributed with each Agency Times.  Information about certifications can also be obtained by calling the Program Office ext. 216. 

Q. How can I ensure that my Agency is not denied attendance at a State Games due to not meeting the certification requirement?
A.  By certifying as many of your coaches, parents and chaperones as possible increasing the likelihood that one of your certified coaches will be available to attend. 

Updated 10/2007