The Coaching department of the FIH is delighted to announce that for the first time the European Hockey Federation (EHF) and FIH will run a High Performance Top Coaching Course in Europe that will allow the Coaches who attend and qualify to go to an FIH High Performance Coaching Course or FIH Final Seminar.

The Coaching Course will take place on the occasion of the BDO Champions Challenge men in Boom, Antwerp, Belgium from 25 June until 1 July 2007.

The Conductor will be Tayyab Ikram, FIH Master Coach, assisted by Herman Kruis, FIH Grade 1 and Netherlands Women Indoor National Coach at the World Indoor Championship 2007 and Norman Hughes, EHF CDO.

In addition to the Main conductors we will invite other Master Coaches and the Coaches of the participating teams to make individual presentations during the Course.

All the conductors and presenters have impressive experience of international coaching and conducting Coaching Courses at top level around the world, other top Coaches will also be invited to participate in forum discussions.

Candidates for participation in this EHF/FIH High Performance Coaching Course must be knowledgeable and experienced coaches in High Performance and Development Coaching with good understanding of English. (Please see below the general criteria for participation).

The conductors can recommend participants who perform well during the Course, after assessment of their performance and contribution during the course, for participation in a later FIH Final Coaching Seminar. At the Final Seminar there is the possibility that participants can further earn a nomination as FIH Coach or FIH Coach Grade l (Development or High Performance).

To be an FIH Coach is an official and honorable recognition for a coach and also makes him eligible as conductor and expert for courses and other assignments of the FIH and the Continental Hockey Federations and Olympic Solidarity programs.

Participation:

Maximum number of participants: 25 (15 places are reserved for European Coaches) and a maximum of 2 per National Association. A small number of observers will also be accommodated.

Participants' Qualification:

Coaches who will participate in this course must have good knowledge and experience in hockey coaching in high performance and development coaching.

High Performance Coaching is the coaching of high level adult hockey players and preparing the teams at high level international competition.

If you have a National Coaching certification system, they should have the top level qualification in your country.

Participants must also be able to transfer their new know-how to other coaches in their countries so that FIH can be sure that coaching standards can be improved by this ongoing effective learning and teaching process.

Participation Fee:

The participation fee, to be paid in advance, but only after acceptance of the application and final registration by every participant and observers, is €450 Euro.

Included in the Fee:

• Dinner, Monday 25th June and then full board until Lunch, Sunday 1st July, (based on sharing in twin rooms)
• Transport from the hotel to the venue for the Champions Challenge and the pitch for the Course
• Passes to the Champions Challenge during the Seminar dates.

There will be no reimbursement in case of withdrawal.

Program:

The course program will include:

• Welcome dinner and introductory meeting
• Lectures and practical coaching sessions, discussions, special presentations
• Contributions from participants
• Match analysis of the Champions Challenge
• Official closing dinner & presentation of certificates of participation

Note: All participants will receive the complete course program after their final registration. They should bring sports clothing and hockey sticks for practical sessions.

Application to participate is now open.

Member Associations of the EHF and FIH can apply for participation in the EHF/FIH High Performance Coaching Course, by filling out the application form (click here to download the form) and sending it to Tayyab Ikram via e-mail  or by fax to: +41 21 641 0607

Deadline for entries is 11 May 2007.

Selection:

The EHF Coaches Committee and FIH Development & Coaching Committee will look at the qualifications of the applicants, but will also make sure that as many countries as possible will have the opportunity to participate.

Successful applicants will be advised by 23 May 2007.

Unsuccessful applicants will also be advised.

When sending in applications, Member Associations should give their order of priority, if they apply for more than one coach.

Please give full information about the qualifications and experience of the coaches that you are proposing as well as their education and experience as a coach and return the application forms fully completed and in due time.