There will be increased training needed for coaches of "high risk" sports in the Lambton Kent Secondary School Athletic Association.
Beginning this year, hockey, track and field, football, and rugby teams will require at least one coach to be certified.
The move follows OPHEA's, Ontario’s governing body for sports and physical education's, recommendation to OFSAA.
LKSSAA coordinator James Clarke says they made the change with the safety and development of the student athletes in mind. He says the training varies from sport to sport.
"Ontario Tackle Football Association came down and took care of our football guys," says Clarke. "The rugby guys have their own association, and the hockey guys go by their rules about what they require."
He says the response from coaches has been great, and most are eager to get the most up to date certification.
"Every school in our football association sent at least one, some teams sent five or six coaches," says Clarke. "Our coaches are very passionate and they want to make sure they are up to date in what they need to be doing, and are doing things the right way."
The LKSSAA football season gets underway later this month, with the junior schedule beginning September 19, and the senior schedule kicking off on September 22.
