Coaches get boost from SD Course

by World Triathlon Admin on 15 Mar, 2007 12:00

Ten coaches across Asia have received a boost from the International Triathlon Union having successfully completed the ITU Competitive Triathlon Coaching Course held last September in Beijing, China.  The coaches from Philippines, China, Macau, Korea and Singapore are the first to gain accreditation as part of the ITU Coach Education Programme and will use this knowledge to aid the development of athletes in their countries.

ITU with the support of their global partner BG Group, arranged the course in order to raise the number and quality of triathlon coaches across national federations in Asia. The course was headed up by Libby Burrell, Director of ITU Sport Development with support from other expert coaches Craig Redman from Australia, Brendon Downey from New Zealand and Alan Ley from USA.  The participants also had access to a wealth of international experience from elite coaches that were present for the Beijing BG Triathlon World Cup.

This first course has been a fantastic platform for us to pick up valuable coaching fundamentals for competitive triathlon, stated newly accredited coach and participant, Eugene Lee of Singapore.  It also served as a great opportunity for us to network not only amongst other coaches, but also with world class coaches and athletes at the Beijing BG Triathlon World Cup.  This initiative will definitely bring the sport of triathlon in Asia to the next level.

As part of ITU and BG Groups Sport Development Programme introduced in 2006, the course aims to assist in the development of talented coaches and national coaching education programmes of developing and emerging triathlon nations.  The coach education curriculum provides expertise and resources to support countries without an existing programme in place.

All participants of the course attended 50 hours of extensive instruction on topics such as ethics and training to safety and professional responsibilities.  To receive their certification, all attending coaches had to exhibit comprehensive knowledge of the course material and the ability to contribute to the advancement of their countrys developing athletes and own coach education programmes. 

Coaching Education must be regarded as the cornerstone of all athlete development programmes and this course was the perfect opportunity for us to be able to work with an enthusiastic and very capable group of Asian coaches. We are convinced that these newly accredited coaches will serve the community well and contribute to the sport in their respective countries, said Libby Burrell, Director of ITU Sport Development.

The accredited coaches are Manrique Reyes, Emilio Rafols and Abelardo Alon-alon from Philippines; Chen Xaioran from China; Chan Ho Park from Korea; Chi Wai Su from Macau and Eugene Lee, Zul Fadlie, Guo Weidong and Jerry Seah Sweehoe from Singapore.

Coaching is an important part of the Sport Development Programme and we are delighted that the first course has been such a success, said Sara Sizer, Group Head of Marketing, BG Group.  We hope that these coaches will go on to make their nations proud, by raising athletes who qualify for the BG Triathlon World Championships and the Olympic Games.

Click here for more details about this and other ITU Sport Development programmes.

Article tags itu sport development
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