Leading coaching authorities worldwide have created an adaptable reference document that facilitates the development and certification of coaches. The International Sport Coaching Framework provides sport federations, coaching organisations, and educational institutions with a set of principles, supportive research, and a common language for designing, benchmarking, and refining coach education and development programmes.
The International Sport Coaching Framework Version 1.2 was developed jointly by the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE), the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and Leeds Beckett University (LBU) with the aim of establishing universal standards for coaching education, including definitions, guidelines, and recommendations on the primary functions of a coach; roles and responsibilities of a coach in athlete development; qualifications, knowledge and core competences needed for coaching effectively; and methods by which coaches are educated, developed and certified.
The first International Sport Coaching Framework was introduced at the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in London. The 1.2 version of the International Sport Coaching Framework was unveiled at the ICCE Global Coach Conference 2013, in Durban, South Africa. The ICCE Global Coach Conference brings together coaches, coach educators, researchers, sport scientists, technical directors and sport administrators to address issues in coaching, coach education, high performance coaching and coaches representation and to share experiences with the best coaching experts in the world.
Published by Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois, the Framework incorporates informed feedback, high-quality research, and best practices from around the world to provide sport federations, coaching organisations, international federations and educational institutions with primary considerations for designing, benchmarking and refining their coaching education and certification programmes. The result is an authoritative yet adaptable document that facilitates the development of coaches and, ultimately, the enrichment of sport for all.
About the authors
The International Sport Coaching Framework is a joint endeavour led by the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), supported by Leeds Beckett University (LBU) through project administration, technical advice and research. Editor-in-chief of the publication is Dr. Wade Gilbert, professor of sport coaching at California State University Fresno.
International Council for Coaching Excellence
Formerly the International Council for Coach Education, the ICCE was established in September 1997 as a not-for-profit international organisation with the aim of promoting coaching as an internationally accepted profession. ICCE members seek to enhance the quality of coaching at every level of sport.
More specifically, the ICCE’s mission is to lead and support the global development of coaching as a blended profession and to enhance the quality of coaching at every level in sport, guided by the needs of members, federations, nations and key partners.
The ICCE’s strategic objectives are to fortify its organisational infrastructure, develop an international sport coaching framework, build a community of coaches globally and strengthen the position of coaching as a profession. ICCE partners and markets include national representative bodies responsible for coach development, international federations, institutions that deliver coach education or represent coaches, individuals who design and deliver coach education, coaches and the international sport community at large. Visit the website at www.icce.ws.
Association of Summer Olympic International Federations
On May 30, 1983, the 21 international federations governing the sports of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games decided to form the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations. This alliance sought to address the issues of common interest in the Summer Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement and any other matter deemed necessary by the international federations.
More formally, ASOIF’s mission today is to unite, promote and support the international summer Olympic federations and to preserve their autonomy while coordinating their common interests and goals.
The international federations have the responsibility to manage and monitor the daily functioning of the world’s various sport disciplines, including the practical organisation of events during the Games and the supervision of the development of athletes practising these sports at every level. Each international federation governs its sport throughout the world and ensures its promotion and development. ASOIF’s members now total 28. Visit the website at www.asoif.com.
Leeds Beckett University
Through its Carnegie Faculty, LBU has a long tradition in the professional preparation of graduates in physical education, sport science, sport development, physical activity and sport coaching. Through its Research Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, the university plays an active role in research and enterprise in the UK and internationally. Since 2011, LBU has become the home of ICCE, and the Global Coaching Office is now housed in Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Visit the website at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
“The coach is a central figure in the day-to-day life of the athlete. The International Sport Coaching Framework provides important guidelines on how the coach should support and guide the athlete while working closely with others in an athlete-centred way.”
Sergey Bubka
Chair, IOC Entourage Commission
World-Record Holder, Pole Vault
