Methods

• Meet with representatives of interested youth sport organizations committed to youth development through sport and physical activity in order to define their core values
  
• Develop understanding of how these organizations currently function:
  
  • Characteristics of current athlete population
    
  • Characteristics of current coach population
    
  • Characteristics of current coach training and education, if any
    
  • Openness to observation of current coaches at work
    
  • Openness to giving and receiving feedback on current coaching practices
    
• Identify key leaders in the organization who are interested in learning about and implementing intentional training and education for coaches working in the organization
  
• Work to establish a commitment to design and deliver sustainable coach development processes integrating the key values of the organization
  
• Collaborate with key leaders in the organization to design and deliver appropriate coach education and training, aimed at developing long-term improvement in coaching performance
  
• Adopt an athlete-centered model of coaching, aimed at helping all participants improve their performance over time
  
• Establish the coach development cycle based on observation of performance, followed by giving and receiving feedback and support to all participants
  
• Focus coaches’ attention on the development of heightened self-awareness, the ability to self-correct and the acceptance of personal responsibility for learning
  
• Assist coaches to understand an appropriate athlete development model for their particular sport or activity
  
• Assist coaches to plan and deliver effective practices, based on establishing suitable performance objectives for their participants, ensuring a sound organization and practicing appropriate methods of communication