In line with the recommendations laid out in the Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) Coaching Strategy (2004), and the findings of research conducted in 2005 and 2006*, New Zealand Football has shifted the traditional Coach Education ‘goal posts’ adopting a new and exciting approach for developing coaches at all levels in the game.   This new approach is founded on the following principles:

Appropriate for New Zealand - reflective of New Zealand’s unique culture and football environment.

Flexible - providing coaches with more choice and a higher degree of ownership in selecting and following their own development pathway.

Player centred – based on the needs of the players and designed to meet the age-related development needs of players throughout the game.

Applicable and practical - ‘on-the job learning’ experiences (creating and recognizing learning experiences in the coaching environment).

Life long learning - promoting continued personal development and self-responsibility for learning.

The new approach will provide a smorgasbord of learning opportunities that allow coaches to identify and access personal development that corresponds with the players they are coaching and their specific developmental needs. 

Coach Development Framework

The Framework provides coaches with a wide range of development opportunities that prepare them to effectively meet the age related and developmental needs of the players they work with.

In 2009 New Zealand Football will introduce a number of new courses in the Junior and Youth coaching pathways and will progressively introduce more learning opportunities year on year until the framework is complete. 

For more information on the Coach Development Framework, contact AFF Regional Coach Development Co-ordinator Aaron McFarland.

Notes:

* Research included the NZF Coach Education Review (June 2006) and CIES – FIFA Project Report (November 2005).