St. Maarten Sports Federation – National Governing Body for organized multi-sports, is responsible for the organization of the entire sport from grassroots through to elite performance.
Coaching is crucial to all sport organization/Associations/Federations Governing Body’s.
The introduction of the Coaches Certifications Program will shift the culture of coaching in St. Maarten. Sport and coaching in particular is continually changing which posses’ challenges for all those involved. Coaches are recognized to be at the very heart of sport and it is important that they keep up to date with the latest developments and training to ensure that they are providing the right environment for those that they coach.
A balance has been created between the traditional ‘what to coach’ skills with greater emphasis on fundamental ‘how to coach’ skills.
Qualifications are also accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (NSTCP-NATIONAL SPORT TECHNICAL COACHING PROGRAM).
The benefits this brings to coaches in St. Maarten include:
· An enhancement of core and sport specific coaching skills.
· A clear pathway for coaches to progress.
· Guaranteed nationally accredited standards of delivery, assessment and monitoring.
· Coaching standards which are based on St. Maarten and international models of best practice.
· A greater understanding of high-quality coaching.
Advanced coach education programs and practices with a view to helping coaches:
1. Support the participants, performers and teams they are coaching.
2. Support the development of coaching as a profession.
3. Support the concept of continuous improvement and further develop good practice in existing programs.
4. Standardize and improve modern coaching in St.Maarten.
Who runs the St. Maarten Sports Federation Coaches Certification Program?
• ST.MAARTEN Sports Lab & Fitness Institute is the national agency responsible for the overall development of the scheme/program and the Sports Coaches Committee with the PERFORMANCE & EXCELLENCE COMMITTEE, have a coordination role for the Sports Federation.
However, within each sport, it is the governing body that is responsible for the development and delivery of the coach education programs within that sport.
The governing body (Federations)participating in the scheme are reviewing and extending their existing coach education programs , and developing new materials, to ensure that these programs can be endorsed against the SMSL&FI standards.
The aim of the Performance & Excellence Committee is clear – to work with partners to help identify, nurture, develop and support talented St.Maarteners to reach their potential in their chosen sport.