Boxing Ireland has completed a collaborative coach education exchange with Nederlandse Boksbond, funded Erasmus+ sport staff mobility and supported by Leargas.
The exchange took place in The Hague, Netherlands this month. The project focused on researching best practice in Coach Education across comparable European national federations to understand alternative models, particularly relating to coach pathways; Coach Developer (CD) training and expectations; mentorship; course structure, materials, theory and practical balance; governance, administration, and operational systems and inclusion, sustainability, and digital learning practices.
Boxing Ireland was represented by National Development Manager, James Geraghty, National Safeguarding & Integrity Manager Stephen Flynn, Education & Training Officer Nikki Foley and Sligo Boxing Development Officer, Maeve Clarke.
The four day exchange included meetings with the Secretary General of the Dutch Federation and briefings on the structure of the Dutch coach education pathway. Additionally, the Boxing Ireland delegation observed and were briefed on the academic, technical, assessment and overall course content of the Dutch Level 2 and Level 3 coaching courses.
In terms of the Dutch Level 3 course, direct comparison was possible between Boxing Ireland’s facilitation-based model and the Dutch presentation-style approach.
Visiting Papendal Olympic Training Centre, where the Dutch High Performance Unit is based, Boxing Ireland staff exploredathlete support structures, governance systems and coaching philosophies.
The learnings from this exchange will be shared by Boxing Ireland staff through learning workshops for Coach Developers, integration into future course design and strategic planning recommendations to senior leadership
The project provided high-quality learning, insight, and innovation that will directly contribute to improving grassroots boxing participation, retention, and coach development across Ireland.
The project met all objectives and created pathways for future European collaboration.
About Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship funding program for education, training, youth, and sport, supporting mobility and cooperation across Europe and beyond. It provides grants for students, staff, trainees, and young people to study, train, or volunteer abroad, promoting personal and professional development while fostering European identity
About Leargas
Léargas manage international and national exchange programmes in education, youth and community work, and vocational education and training. These exchanges connect people in different communities and countries, and bring an international dimension to the work of organisations across Ireland. We are the National Agency for Erasmus+ in Adult Education, School Education, Vocational Education and Training, Youth and Sport.
Léargas works under the aegis of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and its Board is appointed by the Minister. It also works in close partnership with the Department of Education, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Department for Arts, Tourism Sports.
