An ITU level 1 coaching course took place at the International Sports Complex in Kathmandu, Nepal from April 17th to 21st and conducted by ITU experts, Franz Studer and Neil MacPherson from South Africa.

One of the highlights of the course was participants’ passions for triathlon and their efforts to be better coaches. We could feel the participants’ eagerness to learn about triathlon coaching throughout the course.

Becoming familiar with the new ITU coaching development programs launched last year such as online education system, group tasks, and evaluation, the course covered mainly Youth and Junior athletes coaching topics such as coach’s roles and responsibilities, physical conditioning, coaching methodologies, Training programs and Triathlon specific information and etc.

The feedback from the local coaches who participated in the course was that they enjoyed practicing their coaching skills and now became more confident on their coaching, and committed to starting triathlon programs at their schools. In addition, the participants from abroad had very positive feedback, saying that they learned a lot preparing them to become better coaches.

Another highlight of the course was that the first Nepal Kids Triathlon race will be organized in the near future. Nepal Triathlon Federation selected school swim coaches and PE teachers as candidates to educate triathlon in school. These coaches will search talented athletes and train them to compete in the upcoming race.

The facilitator, “Franz Studer”, well understanding the needs of emerging countries, made the course interactive and interesting in the cheerful mood. “Nepal has huge potential to develop our sport if the participants are working together as a team. I am so happy to help them build solid foundation for next level” Franz said.

Ki, ASTC Sports Development Coordinator, expressed “we placed the first stepping stone in Nepali coaching development through this course. Nepal Triathlon has done tremendous works to develop triathlon last 3 years such as hosting international events and a couple of development projects. This course will encourage them to go unprecedented road to leading triathlon country in this region.”