28 Coaches Graduate from International Coaching Enrichment Certification Program

The International Coaching Enrichment Certification Program welcomed 28 members to its class of 2013 today in Lausanne, Switzerland. The fifth edition of the ICECP - a collaborative effort between the United States Olympic Committee, the University of Delaware and the International Olympic Committee - included coaches from five continents, 28 countries and 11 sports.

The ICECP is conducted in partnership with Olympic Solidarity, a department within the IOC that provides financial assistance to National Olympic Committees around the world. The world-class coaching education program is offered to NOCs and consists of lectures, participant presentations, group work and field trips spread over four modules, including an apprenticeship with a U.S. national or college team.

"Congratulations to the 28 coaches who completed the 2012-13 ICECP program," said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. "The ICECP allows for the sharing of best practices and fosters new collaboration between NOCs - we're honored to be part of a program that can impact sport development across the entire Olympic Movement."

The first three modules took place in the United States last fall, while the fourth just wrapped up overseas. As a part of the final module, participants presented their projects to the ICECP Academic Board at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne and then took part in a formal graduation ceremony that featured Tommy Sithole, IOC director of international cooperation and policy, as the keynote speaker. All 28 graduates were on hand to receive their diplomas.

"It was a true honor to work with the USOC to put on a world-class program. The commitment of the USOC to the program is truly admirable," said Dr. Matthew Robinson, director of the ICECP and professor of sport management at the University of Delaware. "The participants' efforts were inspirational and I know all of them will make important contributions to their sport and the Olympic Movement for years to come."

"The program has given me beneficial information that will help me become a better coach and grow sport in Sudan," said Gibreel Elamin, a 2013 ICECP graduate whose project involved the creation of a foundation for establishing an East African rowing center in Sudan and the hosting of both a coaching clinic and rowing championship. "The tutors, professors, coaches and leadership of the USOC were very supportive and gave me knowledge to apply to my project."

The class of 2013 includes coaches from Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Indonesia, Jordan, Lesotho, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Uruguay, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

For more information on the ICECP, visit udel.edu/icecp.

About ICECP: A program of the United States Olympic Committee, the University of Delaware and the International Olympic Committee, the International Coaching Enrichment Certification Program aims at assisting national-level coaches in developing proficiency in the areas of sport sciences, talent identification, athlete development, safe sport, coaching education, coaching management and grass roots sport development. The intended outcome is for ICECP participants to return to their countries and serve as coaches within their respective sports, while becoming foundation builders for future coaches and athletes and spreading Olympic spirit.