Report by Nicolas Taylor, Head National Coach & Chair of the Coach Developer Committee:
I traveled to Cork, Ireland on March 2nd and 3rd as part of a follow-up initiative related to my certification in Coach Sport Developer and my role as a member of the Coach Development Committee in Belgium. The primary objective of the visit was to gain insight and inspiration from established coaching programs in order to enhance and develop coaching initiatives in Belgium.
The program focused on providing an introduction to coaching, with specific emphasis on developing basic coaching skills, raising awareness of the coaching process, and concentrating on working with beginners and children.
The course comprised both theoretical and practical components. The theoretical segments covered topics such as the role of the coach, coaching the whole child, and effective warm-up techniques. These sessions provided a foundational understanding of coaching principles and strategies.
The practical sessions constituted the main portion of the program, wherein participants were tasked with applying their coaching skills in simulated scenarios, focusing on aspects like sparring and fundamental movements. As a coach developer in training, I had the opportunity to collaborate with experienced coach developers, namely Master Byrne and Master Barry, in supporting and guiding participants through these practical exercises. As well as with Bosabum Breandan who has been following with me the Coach Development Certificate last year in June.
The experience in Cork provided valuable insights into the implementation of coaching programs. Witnessing firsthand how these methodologies were put into practice was enlightening, and I personally gained new perspectives that I believe will enhance my coaching approach. The collaborative environment fostered rich learning experiences, not only for the participants but also for myself as a coach and coach developer. Moving forward, the challenge lies in adapting and implementing similar coaching frameworks within the context of Belgium.
Bo Sabum Nicolas Taylor