Strategy released for skateboard coaching development

Earlier this year, World Skate invited input on its first coaching development strategy while also announcing the inaugural members of the Skateboarding Coaching Commission (SBCC).

The inaugural members of the SBCC were selected following a rigorous objective-based process, and by rating each nominee against an identified skill and experience matrix which encompasses Skateboarding, Elite Sport, Academic Qualifications, Sport Science, Leadership, Diversity and Coaching.

Since its inception, the World Skate SB Coaching Commission - consisting of Alain Goikoetxea, Kenny Reed, Lea Schairer, Sean Hayes, Sharne Jacobs, Alex Wolf, Amber Edmondson, Chris Curran, Cristiano Mateus and SB Coaching Development Manager James Karageorgiou - have drawn together a future pathway for coaching development supported by World Skate’s institutional framework and reach.

Karageorgiou presented the strategy document at the last two WST events, which by necessity covered a whole lot of ground, given how the role of coaching itself is evolving.

The three foundational aspects of the strategy are the creation of an accreditation framework, framed by codes of conduct and an Ethics Commission; delivery of best practice in liaison with federations to establish workshops, identify educational gaps and develop coach-mentoring programmes; community-fostering within the coaching realm through the establishment of international coaching conferences, awarding coaching excellence and setting up a wellbeing programme specifically for coaches themselves- all of whom, it was recognised, work within their own particular sets of pressures and challenges.

Beyond this three-tiered approach, there will be a parallel scheme to develop a central resource for coaches and governing bodies to avail of in which information about vacant roles, scholarships and grants can be made available to all and equally. Through this hub a new strata of coaching career options- and, by extension, avenues to the sharing of best practice- can be achieved internationally. The presentation concluded by spelling out the timeline over which each of these milestones will be delivered between now and the Los Angeles Olympic Games of 2028.

Download a copy of the Coaching Development Strategy

Image. Alain Goikoetxea skate coach and member of inaugural Skateboarding Coaching Commission