MANILA, Philippines–Behind every successful athlete stands a diligent coach.
The ongoing online coaches education program by the Philippine Sports Commission intends to raise the bar on the traditional norm of coaching to maximize the progress of Filipino athletes.
PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez said the agency’s national sports coaching certification course that kicked off this week in the Visayas is designed to create a national standard for coaching in a scientific manner.
“We are putting great emphasis on coaching since it’s a significant aspect in athlete development,’’ said Fernandez.
A total of 1,090 coaches from the region will try their hand to secure the online coaches certification, a project of the Philippine Sports Institute’s Sports Education and Training Program, which was piloted in Tagum City in 2019 and in Legazpi City and Davao City last year.
Coaches of elementary and high school students in the Visayas will be the initial batch of online learners for the Level 1 course. It includes sports philosophy, pedagogy, psychology, physiology, talent identification and sports ethics.
“The level of interest of the coaches are surprising. We’re hoping that we can come up with a face-to-face method of teaching after the online lectures,’’ said Fernandez.
The lecturers will be PSC-PSI sports education head prof. Henry Daut, PSC-PSI sports psychology head Dr. Karen Katrina Trinidad, PSC-PSI sports physiology head prof. Josephine Joy Reyes, PSC-PSI sports specialist prof. Luis Serafin Cosep and Fr. Fonz Suico, CSSR.
“The present situation in the country should not deter us from continuing our programs and services to the sports community, specifically in enhancing the competencies of our coaches in the schools and the LGUs (local government units),’’ said Fernandez.
According to Daut, a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning methods will be applied through the use of Google Meet and Google Classroom tools.
The passers during the Level 1 pilot staging in Legazpi and Davao are also expected to continue with the Level 2 online course, while a separate course curriculum for coaches of sports for the differently-abled is on the pipeline.
“More coaches from other regions nationwide will have the opportunity to avail of Level 1 modules later this year,’’ said Daut.
He explained the three-level course program aims to prepare coaches for them to meet the demands of their responsibilities and ensure a vibrant experience for athletes through the enhancement of their competencies and skills.
Luzon will have their sessions for Region 1 and CAR from August 10 to 13, while Mindanao will have theirs for Region 10 from August 17 to 20.