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André Lachance’s coaching career began when he was 17 years old.  Now, 20 years later, he has reached a level of coaching that is a first in Canada.  He is the first baseball coach in Canada to receive his level 5 certification from National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).

With a coaching resume that dates back to 1987, Mr. Lachance has gone from coaching at the mosquito level in Québec to being the head coach for the National Women’s Team.

“With this, I hope that more coaches will apply for their level 5 and I can be there to help them along the way,” says Mr. Lachance.

The NCCP is a training and certification program for coaches [five levels (1 to 5) and three components (Theory, Technical, and Practical)], offered across Canada in more than 60 sports. The program was designed to meet the needs of a wide range of coaches - from those who introduce youngsters to sport to those who work with Canada's high performance athletes.

Mr. Lachance’s journey from his level 4 to his level 5 began in September 2005.  Through the National Coaching Institute in Montreal, once a week he would complete coaching modules, 20 in total, before presenting his portfolio in a final presentation in front of a certification panel.

Along with the National Women’s Team, Mr. Lachance has coached at many elite levels.  In 1992, he coached Team Québec, with then young prospect and now MLB star Eric Gagne, to a gold medal at the Midget AAA Nationals.  In 1995, he helped initiate the Université Laval’s baseball program where he would coach his team to a Canadian Interuniversity Baseball Association Championship in the programs first year.  In 1997, he was a guest coach for the Montreal Expos at spring training and in 2006; he coached Canada’s Women’s Team to a bronze medal in the World Championships.  However, Mr. Lachance’s experience isn’t limited to coaching.  In 1996 and 1997 he was a regional scout for the New York Yankees.

Along with his duties as head coach with the National Women’s Team, Mr. Lachance is also the Manager of Baseball Operations with Baseball Canada.  And now as the first level 5 certified baseball coach in Canada, he wants to put that status to good use.

“This has opened doors for me and I hope to continue to learn and improve and to increase the status of baseball across the country,” says Mr. Lachance.  “Especially for the girls.”