INTEREST BUILDING FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT OFFERING
2005-07-12

While the International Softball Federation (ISF) continues to busy itself with development of the sport in countries where softball is in the early stages of its growth, it is also preparing to put on a new program for those that are more advanced.

The International Coaching College is a joint initiative of the ISF and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). High-level, week-long courses will soon be held throughout the world and will concentrate on offensive and defensive strategies, practice planning, hitting, and pitching. The curriculum and participant manuals are being developed expressly for ISF national team coaches with the purpose of training the national team coaches who participate at the world championships and Olympic Games, thus raising the level of competition.

The first International Coaching College takes place at the end of next month when, from August 31-September 4, coaches and instructors gather at the ISF world headquarters complex in Plant City, Florida. To-date, coaches from Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, and Costa Rica have indicated their interest for that inaugural offering, and the ISF is still accepting registrations and anticipates more will sign up soon.

Following the conclusion of that course for the Americas, the same session, using the same instructors, will then be put on in the Czech Republic from December 8-12 for ISF member federations’ coaches from Europe and Africa. Already, Bulgaria, Germany, Holland, and Switzerland have indicated their interest in sending coaches to that session.

Finally, Asia & Oceania coaches will have the same opportunity to attend the International Coaching College when it hits Kuala Lumpur from December 15-19. ISF Director of Development Cindy Bristow reports that eight countries (Australia, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and Thailand) have indicated their interest in sending for that one, even though it’s still five months away.

Go here to view additional details as well as to see other clinics/courses currently scheduled around the world.