18 men and 4 women attended a technical course in Zimbabwe

An Olympic Solidarity course took place from 30th October to 4th November 2012, in Harare Zimbabwe. The course was conducted by Densign WHITE an IJF expert from the United Kingdom.

JAZ president, Debi Jeans said the course ran by White equipped local coaches and would also immensely benefit athletes. “Our aim is to empower local instructors with international certification and help them set up their own clubs around the country. We want them to be full-time coaches and make a living through judo. We are receiving tremendous help from the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee,” said Jeans.

During the first two days the coaches were introduced to the UK instructor’s award/ level 1 course which covered topics such as health and safety, child protection issues, class management, and coaching methodology. The level 2 content on day 3 explored coaching methods in more details specifically lesson planning and technique sequencing, including transition from standing to groundwork.

A degree of difficulty in the exercise was increased by requiring the students to consider more complex sequencing of techniques that involved both uke and Tori, Tachiwaza and newaza techniques.

The participants were interested in all aspects of the course including lesson planning, fundamental judo skill development, class management and discipline, strategies to employ for retention of judoka, child protection policies and procedures and other health and safety best practice. Densign made the comment that “It was not easy to decide on the course content or the level to pitch the course in advance without knowing the standard and experience of the coaches. I decided to run a level 1/2 course with enough material to move to level 3 if the ability of the students warranted that. I had a group of mixed ability and experience from beginner to 50 years, 6th Dan knowledge, but it all came together very well”

The class also had a lecture from a local expert (Guta Tatenda) on sport science knowledge around competition preparation covering psychological and physiological aspects. Tatenda attended the International Coaching Enrichment programme in the United States of America in 2009/2010.

Over the four days every participant was given the opportunity to deliver a technique to the group and feedback was given from the expert on any aspect of their coaching that could improve. Mr WHITE also took the opportunity to video each individual’s presentation and this was reviewed time permitting in the theoretical session.

Densign said “The course was very well organised and lots of preparation ahead of time had been done. Course material was sent in advance by the myself, to the organiser so that they could prepare a hand-out folder for the participants.”

In closing Densign remarked that “I enjoyed the experience of working with these young and old coaches and there was a sense that they had a real thirst for knowledge. The participants have had a positive outcome from the course and with time we hope that there will be more courses to come.”

Olympic Solidarity course Zimbabwe