Top of the First - a FREE workshop series on diversity, equity and
inclusion for coaches, officials, league administrators and adult volunteers. This initiative is designed and delivered by the Toronto Blue Jays and Jays Care Foundation.
Top of the First offers a combination of training, tools, and professional development credits. This program equips participants with clear action plans, tools, and enhanced skills for creating more equitable, inclusive, and accessible
programming. NCCP registered coaches receive three PD Points upon receiving official certification.
How it works: Sign up using the link below and gain access to a series of FREE practical virtual workshops. Join participants from across the country to learn and connect around ways to make your programming more accessible and inclusive to communities historically underrepresented in baseball.
Virtual workshops are divided into 1.5-hour sessions conducted live by Jays Care Foundation and Blue Jays Baseball Academy staff. You have the option of interacting and participating live with audio and video. While this is not required, active participation is highly encouraged.
Upon completion of the workshops, participants will be provided access to an online toolkit and certification portal. The toolkit includes resources and templates that can be adapted for use by you and your association or league. A certificate from the Toronto Blue Jays is provided upon completion of a short online learning
assessment. Upon receiving official certification, NCCP registered coaches receive three PD Points.
Top of the First is offered through two different streams:
• Stream 1: is designed for coaches, officials and adult volunteers. Participants receive full certification upon completion of the two workshops and their corresponding short on-line learning assessments. NCCP registered coaches receive three PD Points upon receiving official certification.
• Stream 2: is specifically designed for league administrators and organizers including but not limited to: executive staff, league staff, volunteers, registrars, and board members who are encouraged to register for the three 1.5-hour sessions.
The Toronto Blue Jays and Jays Care Foundation are pleased to provide this introductory course free of charge.
There are multiple workshop dates and times offered but hurry as spaces are filling up quickly.