Through the Erasmus+ Sport Collaborative Partnership program, the European Union will support the development of a state-of-the-art coach education through the development of a European Badminton Coaching Framework, in the period from January 2021 until December 2023.
Badminton Europe together with 6 partner organisations (International Council for Coaching Excellence, German Badminton Association, Badminton Netherlands and Badminton Scotland, National University of Physical Education and Sports in Bucharest and University of Cyprus Sports Center) will throughout the next three years be building and delivering a new and modern coach education.
- We have made a strong bid as there is a real need for a European Badminton Coaching Framework to increase and strengthen the coaching workforce in Europe, General Secretary at Badminton Europe, Brian Agerbak, stated.
Strong bid was the key to success
The European Union will be funding the project, and Brian Agerbak, is pleased to see the Erasmus+ support this particular project.
- We need more and better coaches to bring kids into sports environments and keep them engaged in healthy physical activities in stimulating social environments. We are also aware of our obligation to offer career paths for our elite athletes who often are looking for ways to stay engaged in the sport and who has a lot to offer through sharing their experiences.
- We are sure we can make a positive difference and we are grateful for the support we have received. We look forward to developing the project and to learn from the implementation process. The cooperation with our partners is key for a successful outcome which will serve European badminton for the years to come.
The overall plan
The overall goal for Badminton Europe and the partner organisations is to develop a high-quality coach education based on a needs-analysis, which will be conducted in the first 18 months of the project.
When the analysis is conducted it is expected that an education of the duration of approximately 12 months will begin in medio 2022. No decision around the education will be made before the analysis is done, but Badminton Europe is keen to include the setup at the BEC Centre of Excellence in Holbaek, Denmark while also considering other venues for the onsite modules
The education will be followed by a thorough evaluation of the project, which will be finished by the end of 2023.
The perfect mix
Badminton Europe Development & High Performance Senior Manager, Jacob Oehlenschlaeger, will be leading the project. He is looking forward to working with the partners on creating the coach education.
- We have the perfect mix of partners. Adding the knowledge of our partners to the know-how we have at Badminton Europe, we will be able to build a ground-breaking education, the Senior Manager added.
- The coaches we educate will bring knowledge back to their own badminton environments and from that many people will benefit. Not only in the next three years, but also in the time after, Oehlenschlaeger mentioned.
For coaches and players
Erasmus+ supports the project which will also facilitate and promote dual careers in badminton for retired and retiring players. The project will have a special focus on skills development, as well as support the implementation of the EU guidelines on Dual Careers of Athletes.
Virtual learning will be a natural part of the education, and some of the tasks for the coaches is also to deliver webinars, workshops and training sessions during the duration of education.
- We can say a lot about the COVID-19 situation, but this has also learnt us how to work virtually. We have partners with great experience in building and executing on virtual education. I have big expectations and I am sure that everybody included in the project is equally excited about the project, Jacob Oehlenschlaeger stated.
For more…
For questions on the project please contact, Jacob Oehlenschlaeger (Jacob.oehlenschlaeger@badmintoneurope.com)