Italy Among National Federations Accredited for Coach Education

Federazione Italiana Triathlon has become the 11th National Federation to join the World Triathlon Accredited Coach Education Program (ACEP), marking another important milestone in the global development of high-quality coach education.

The federation’s accreditation reflects the strength and maturity of its existing coach education system. Through a comprehensive self-assessment and the submission of detailed supporting documentation, the Italian program demonstrated strong alignment with international standards and best practice in coach development.

Background to the Accreditation Initiative

The Accredited Coach Education Program was originally launched in 2017, when World Triathlon began working in partnership with the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE), with support from British Triathlon, to update and expand the accreditation process. The programme is built on the internationally recognised Quality in Coaching (QiC) model developed by ICCE.

The initiative was designed to create a structured and collaborative approach to coach education development across the global triathlon community. Rather than being purely compliance-based, the process encourages reflection, shared learning, and continuous improvement.

The core objective of the programme is to foster collaboration and the exchange of best practice between National Federations, while positioning World Triathlon as a supporting organisation that helps federations strengthen and enhance their coach education systems over time.

Why Accreditation Matters

For National Federations with established coaching pathways, ACEP offers a range of benefits

• Official recognition and credibility
  Accreditation provides a World Triathlon “badge of approval,” formally recognising the quality and integrity of a federation’s coach education framework.
• Benchmarking against leading nations
  Federations can evaluate their structures against those of other high-performing systems, identifying both strengths and areas for improvement.
• Access to best practice and knowledge sharing
  The programme promotes collaboration and the sharing of proven approaches across National Federations.
• Support for programme development
  World Triathlon works with accredited federations to refine and strengthen their education pathways, ensuring they remain relevant and effective.
• A pathway to continuous improvement
  The accreditation process is designed to ask meaningful questions of each federation, helping identify areas for further development and supporting long-term growth.
• Increased visibility and branding
  Accredited federations are publicly recognised and are able to use the ACEP logo in their communications, strengthening their reputation both nationally and internationally.

A Programme Focused on Continuous Development

Five years after the programme’s launch, the first federations accredited in 2017 underwent a formal review process in 2022, demonstrating the initiative’s commitment to maintaining standards and supporting ongoing evolution rather than offering a one-time certification.

Italy’s inclusion in ACEP reinforces the programme’s mission to elevate coaching standards worldwide while respecting the unique contexts and strengths of each National Federation. By recognising robust existing systems and encouraging shared learning, the initiative continues to build a stronger, more connected global coaching community.

How Federations Can Apply

National Federations interested in having their coach education programmes accredited are encouraged to contact World Triathlon’s Development team at development@triathlon.org to learn more about the process and requirements.

As more federations engage with the initiative, ACEP continues to play a key role in supporting quality coaching, athlete development, and the long-term growth of triathlon around the world.