Best Practices in European Sports Coaching Erasmus Project

Project Title

Best Practices in European Sports Coaching

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Research and innovation; Labour market issues incl. career guidance / youth unemployment

Project Summary

Context/Background of Project
The BPESC project aimed to adapt the existing 1st4Sport Level 1 Award in the Principles of Coaching Sport by proposing a new qualification which incorporated an emphasis on sports coaching on a European level. This was through the creation of a unit called ‘Best Practices in European Sports Coaching.’ The new unit has learning outcomes and criteria in line with ECVET methodology.

Results of the Project
The three principal objectives/results we have achieved:
– Best Practices in European Sports coaching ECVET-based unit
– Positive change in the personal and professional development of both participants and staff
– Renewed attitudes towards sports coaching in Europe

Number and Profile of Participants
Our project was primarily aimed at non/low-qualified young people with an interest in sports or sports coaching. Our focus was on recruitment of women due to disparities between the number of women and men engaged in all levels of sports and sports coaching.
The project involved a series of five pilot courses (10 students per course) in each of the five partner countries, resulting in a total number of fifty learners.

Description of Activities
Intellectual Outputs: The project produced three Intellectual Outputs:

1. Transnational Reports and Guide for European Sports Coaches
2. Development of Best Practices in European Sports Coaching unit
3. EuroCoach Platform

Transnational Project Meetings: The project included five transnational project meetings, involving representatives from each partner organisation in Dublin, Ireland; Marseille, France; Brighton, UK; Seville, Spain; Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Pilot Course: We piloted the new Best Practices in European Sports Coaching unit integrated into a sports coaching course or in the form of a workshop for 50 participants.

Multiplier Events: Each of the project partners hosted a Multiplier Event to showcase the project activities, results and outcomes of the project to our key target groups and stakeholders with an interest in sports or sports coaching. Each ME achieved attendance of at least 50 participants.

Methodology:
Our methodology was transnational, multi-disciplinary, and European in its approach. For the course development as part of Intellectual Output 2, we employed an ECVET-based approach to ensure potential for transferability and clarity of learning aims – not only across different coaching qualifications but European countries too. Methodology for project management areas was also planned in advance of the project to facilitate financial management, risk prevention, evaluation, monitoring, etc.

Key impacts included:
Learners – development of key skills specific to sports coaching and an array of soft skills including teamwork, communication and time management. These will improve learners’ sense of confidence and increase their employability holistically.
Partners – Increased awareness of sports coaching; exchange of knowledge and best practice on an equal and mutually beneficial basis; establishment as a training provider recognised by Europe-wide systems by the adoption of EU tools and ECVET principles; continued professional development of staff including foreign language competencies.
Target groups – increased opportunities for marginalised groups to undertake vocational training, thus increasing their professional prospects and easing entry into employment. Redressing the gender balance within sports coaching
Stakeholders – through sharing our results, we anticipate efforts to integrate either the unit or its materials/themes (gender equality; accessibility; social inclusion; community role) further in sports coaching qualifications, particularly entry level.

Longer-term benefits
The partnership aims to continue the development of activities, outcomes and impact after Erasmus+ funding has ended. This will be in the form of continued engagement through the EuroCoach Platform, hosting materials generated by the project and wider dissemination through partner networks. We expect that the promotion of results and, in particular, the unit will lead to recognition and accreditation as an innovative addition to existing coaching qualifications. The methodology and wider goals of the project could continue as part of a follow-up Erasmus+ application in the area of tennis coaching, should it prove successful.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 107613 Eur

Project Coordinator

COMMUNITY COACH LTD & Country: UK

Project Partners

• DSC Formation et Developpement
• Koninklijk Nederlands Korfbalverbond
• C.L. ADULT EDUCATION & TRAINING LIMITED
• Third Sector International S. L.