Worldwide education in Para sport grows

“It was a very good course with great emphasis on the application of the regulations and physical assessment."

The knowledge of Para sports across the world is continuing to develop after three education courses were staged in Asia and Latin America.

Eleven people attended the World Para Powerlifting Introduction to Coaching Course in Thailand, from 31 August-2 September. The topics covered included role of the coach, competition processes, muscles used in bench press, coaching for success, rules of the sport and rules of the game.

An IPC Introduction to Para Sport Coaching Course was also held in the country with 44 attendants. History and structure of the IPC, role of the coach, inclusion, language and etiquette in Para sports, IPC Classification, sport psychological aspects, skill development, athlete centred approach, communication and coaching style, and managing group and athlete behaviour were the topics covered.

“We are pleased to have hosted these courses at Suranaree University in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. We look forward to tap the excellent resources of the Kingdom and bring more enriching courses in the near future,” said Chukiat Singsung, President of the Sport Association for the Disabled of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King.

NPC Thailand President Chutinant Bhirombhakdi added: “Sports Management has become very important in today's age. We began with national participants, and are planning to expand to our neighbouring countries in the upcoming year.”

Meanwhile in Chile a World Para Athletics Level 2 PI Classifier Programme took place from 30 August-2 September, with a total of 10 participants from Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Dominican Republic and the hosts.

The course was conducted in English with Spanish translation, reacting to the needs of the region, which often sees a lack of sufficient English language skills.

The topics covered included introduction to Para athletics, conceptual framework for classification, completing classification documentation, physical assessment, technical and observation assessment, practising classification, classification ethics and communication.

Educator Pam Wilson said: “Santiago de Chile is a great place to hold a classification workshop. The students were eager to learn about classification and all of them were able to achieve PI level 2 competency and look forward to doing classification in their countries.”

Participant Daniel Bueno added: “It was a very good course with great emphasis on the application of the regulations and physical assessment. A great step from theory to practices, with a lot of tips and guides in common errors.”

For more information on World Para Powerlifting and World Para Athletics education programmes please contact jana.hasenberg@paralympic.org and visit the education pages for Para athletics and Para powerlifting.