Effort to Improve Athletics Coaching

Efforts to improve the standard of coaching in Africa is set to receive a boost as leading lecturers from the English-speaking African countries assemble for an intensive seven-day course to prepare them for the new IAAF five-level Coaches Education and Certification System (CECS).

Under normal circumstances this course would have been conducted at the IAAF Regional Development Centre (RDC) in Nairobi. However, due to the prevailing circumstances in Kenya at this time, Athletics South Africa (ASA) immediately responded to the request to hold the course here in Tshwane at the High Performance Centre.

The RDC Director, Mr. John Velzian, has conducted previous courses at the HPC and was more than satisfied that he would find appropriate facilities for this course, while the course is being conducted by Peter Thompson, Senior Education Manager in the IAAF Member Services Department, architect of both the old and new systems, and John Velzian, Director of the IAAF RDC in Nairobi, Kenya. They are being assisted by Joel Severe from Mauritius and Tahar Righi from Algeria.

"Athletics South Africa is happy to have been approached to host the course and we have no doubt in our minds that the delegates and their leaders will have a tremendous time in South Africa," said Leonard Chuene, president of ASA.

"It has always been ASA’s contention that South Africa is well placed to serve the Continent better in the quest to develop the sport. I believe the IAAF will in future bring more courses to our shores as we strive to fulfil the mandate of spearheading the development of athletics in the Continent."

Peter Thompson commented, "The initial response from experienced lecturers on the course has been overwhelmingly positive. They have committed on the new course that emphasises the development of the skills of coaching for our future Level II coaches.

"In future the Level II course will emphasise what coaches will do with their knowledge rather than just having knowledge." He added, "the invaluable assistance of ASA has enable this important course to take place at the right time