The United States Sports Academy and ProFTraining Finland are set to launch cutting edge, professionally developed and delivered coaching education programs in Finland to help students there prepare for careers in the global sports industry.
The multi-tiered post-secondary, non-degree International Sports Coach Development Curriculum is designed by sports industry experts to provide the appropriate technical, tactical, and interpersonal knowledge and experiences at three distinct milestones on the coach development pathway. The curriculum features three tiers: the Lead Coach Development Program (LCDP), the Head Coach Development Program (HCDP), and the National Coach Development Program (NCDP).
The curriculum meets the standards of the International Sports Coaching Framework (ISCF) developed by the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).
The LCDP is designed for students transitioning into the coaching profession and working with emerging athletes. The HCDP is designed for those who are transitioning into a coach leadership role at the local or regional level. The NCDP is designed to continue the development of selected coaches toward work in high performance, coach leadership, and coach development roles at the national level.
“Opening these coaching programs in my country of origin is a dream come true for me personally,” Academy Provost Dr. Tomi Wahlstrom said. “The Academy has a lot to offer in Finland, and it is very exciting to be able to make a contribution to coaching education through these programs, and to provide coaches in Finland the benefit of our international perspective and experience.”
The first program – the LCDP – begins in August 2020. The program will last approximately six months and students can participate while continuing to work their full-time jobs. Students who graduate from the program will earn a Certification in International Lead/Head/National Coach Development. Graduates of the program will join the Academy’s global alumni network.
“Finland is internationally recognized as being very advanced in some sports like ice-hockey, cross country skiing and motorsports,” ProFTraining Finland CEO Atte Varsta said. “In general the American sport coaching culture is 1-3 years ahead of others. So our Finnish sport coaches welcome the latest knowledge and recognized educational opportunities like this one. This is a truly unique program that will give students a truly academic and international education. At this exceptionally difficult time with a global pandemic these programs allow students to study at home which is a big advantage.”
Since its founding nearly a half-century ago, the Academy has leveraged its role and resources as a special mission sports university to make a global impact through quality sport instruction, research and service programs in 67 countries around the world. These contributions have varied in scope from the full-charge conduct of a nation’s entire national sport effort to individual coaching clinics, seminars, and symposia. Clients have included central sports organizations (CSOs, such as ministries of youth and sports), national Olympic committees, ministries of education (for physical education and interscholastic sport programs) and sport associations and federations. The Academy’s international includes some 50 Protocols for Cooperation with sports organizations or institutions of higher learning around the world.
ProFTraining Finland Ltd. is a Finnish company which specializes in sports concepts to provide solutions for well-being and an energetic life. The company was founded 2015 by Ms Anne Puranen, Ms. Viivi Kettukangas Immonen, Ms. Raisa Varsta and Mr Atte Varsta. The concepts are developed by experienced physiotherapists and sports professionals to meet the demanding needs of both well-being and sports professionals and consumers. The concepts are designed for sports training, body care and rehabilitation to individuals and group exercises. For information about the Coaching Programs, visit http://proftraining.fi/.
