Road to Rio 2016: SASCOC charges SA Coaches to look Beyond London

More than 900 attendees at the National SASCOC Coaches conference/Photo Credit: Linly De Beer

More than 900 delegates from national, provincial and state federations and unions attended the 2nd annual National SASCOC coaching framework conference, which ended today at the Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg from all sport codes, including a large group of athletics coaches.

The three-day conference, which started on Friday November 16th, was brought to a close with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) launching important sports development programmes and announcing their plans for 2016 and beyond.

The programme featured several keynote presentations and panel discussions focused on the positives and negatives of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London and the important steps needed to succeed at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.

SASCOC president Gideon Sam encouraged those in attendance to spread the knowledge and ideologies gained.

"You came. You listened. You heard. Now go out there and talk about all the input you gained at this year’s coaching conference,’ said Sam. ‘If this weekend inspired you and was worth something to you, it is your responsibility to spread the word and inspire others. That’s our small request to you."

SASCOC, together with the Department of Sports and Recreation and CATHSSETA, launched three major development plans set to improve the quality of coaching and sport in South Africa.

They are:

  • The SA Academies of Sport Framework and Policy Guidelines
  • South Africa Sport for Life Model for Long-Term Participaton and Development
  • South African Long-Term Coaches Development

Deputy minister of Sport, Gert Oosthuizen, expressed his excitement about these plans: "Thank you to all who participated. Thank you to all who made a valuable contribution," said Oosthuizen.

"I’m looking forward to see all the wonderful coaches and athletes that will be produced."

Sam also passed on thanks to the foreign consultants, like Dr Frank Dick, Istvan Balyi and Professor Matthew Robinson, who contributed to the coaching conference.

"They have all been great speakers and added plenty of value," said Sam.

"Frank played a big part in the establishment of the coaching framework and continues to inspire those he comes across with every discussion.

"I’m also very excited about Matthew’s role. We are already planning to send nine top provincial delegates to America to spend time with Matthew to observe the American sports development system."

Sam added that the positives from the coaching framework will bode well for the future.

"We need to keep the momentum going to make a difference in 2020 and beyond. Some of us will not be around in 2024 or 2028, but that does not mean we should not make provision for those who will be key role players in the distant future.

"There are plenty of pioneers in the past who created this platform for us. We should not be remembered as the coaches and administrators who failed this generation. We need to keep growing and create opportunities for those who will succeed us."

SASCOC CEO Tubby Reddy added: "This was a highly successful coaching framework conference. There’s plenty of excitement from all involved, so the future of South African sport definitely looks promising."

We are Social - Follow us