About 69 community local coaches and officials across Honiara accredited with certificates in Oceania Sport Education Program (OSEP)
A total of 69 coaches have received Oceania Sport Education program (OSEP) certified Community Coach and Official certificates after completing an intensive training.
The participants completed four courses in Honiara recently facilitated by the National Sports Council (NSC).
To honour the participants an official certificate presentation was held yesterday at the National Stadium conference room.
The training was delivered in Honiara by the National Sport Council on behalf of OSEP, an initiative of the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC).
OSEP is designed to develop sport education in the Pacific region with National Olympic Committees, Regional Sports Federations in Oceania and their member national Federations.
The program comprises a number of courses that have been specifically designed to provide a regional approach to sport education by developing flexible, relevant, modern curricula.
OSEP underwent an external, independent evaluation which involved several layers of stakeholder consultations, compilation of findings, recommendations, validation with stakeholders before moving into a new strategy and direction.
At its core, the courses remain the same. The courses are in five streams targeting community development and national level sport volunteers and paid professionals including administration, Coaching, Strength and Conditioning Coaching, Trainer and Team management.
The programme is specifically targeted at beginner coaches and officials to equip them with the necessary skills to plan, prepare, run and review effective coaching sessions in their specific sports for which they possess some level of technical knowledge and skills.
It will also develop skills in managing training and competition environments as an official.
According to the OSEP facilitators upon successful completion of the community coach and official training programme, participants will be able to promote the positive life balance aspects of Pacific people’s involvement in sport, plan and prepare an appropriate training session relevant to a sport, use a range of communication and teaching strategies to help athletes learn basic skills and tactics.
Evaluate coaching and officiating sessions and make the required improvements to better meet participant needs and effectively manage safe competition environments as an official.
Speaking during the program Morris Maitaki on behalf of NSC and NOCSI extends heartfelt congratulations to all the participants who have dedicated their time, energy and passion to the program.
“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulation to all of you who have dedicated your time, energy and [passion to this program,” Maitaki said.
“Understanding the needs of our member National Olympics committee and countries has been a central body of ONOC.
“It is through initiatives like OSEP that we see the embodiment of our vision for sport education, not just in the pacific but across the Olympic world.
“OSEP is not just a program, it is a benchmark of excellence in sport education and you are at the heart of this legacy,” Maitaki added.
Through the OSEP framework, Maitaki told the participants that they are not only enhancing their skills but also contributing to the broader goals of their national sport federation (NSFs) and NOCs.
“As we build the capacity of coaches, volunteers, athletes and officials we are shaping the healthier and more competitive future for the pacific region,” Maitaki said.
“Today as the NSC has successfully conducted the four OSEP courses resulting in 69 accredited community local coaches and officials across Honiara.
“This is a tremendous achievement that reflects the growing demand for quality sport education in the region,” Maitaki added.
He concluded by saying to those of you who are serious about pursuing a coaching pathway.
“I want to encourage you to enhance the opportunity that lies ahead.
“You are in a unique position to foster positive change and your commitment to this pathway will align with the national sport council’s overarching policy of improving the health of all Solomon Islanders”, Maitaki concluded.
Patterson Roke a participant of the OSEP told Star sport in an interview said, he is supper excited to be accredited as a local community coach after completing the OSEP course delivered by the NSC.
“Now I have the opportunity and new skill to go back in my community and help the youths in any missing gaps in terms of sports.
“The certificate I received today means so much as I started to pursue my coaching carrier started as a local community coach,” Roke said.
Meanwhile, the NSC will deliver more programs under the OSEP in the future.
By FLOYD TERRY JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
