USBC to Host International Coach Training Seminar

In another step to bolster the number of quality coaches worldwide, the United States Bowling Congress will host nearly 20 notable names in bowling from around the world in a week-long International Coach/Instructor Training seminar at USBC Headquarters in suburban Milwaukee on Feb. 12-16.

This seminar is a continuation of USBC’s effort to assist in the creation of an international coach training program and enhance the strength of federations within bowling’s world governing body, the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs.

The newly trained coaches will certify USBC coaches in their home countries and regions who in turn will develop more high-level bowlers. Those athletes will increase the level of bowling competition around the world, which will help reach the ultimate goal of securing a place for bowling in the Olympic Games.

“The vision of this project is for more coaches and athletes to get the vital bowling information that they need, delivered from reputable international coaches,” USBC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger (pictured right) said. “Developing elite athletes throughout the world is crucial to the sport’s future. Having knowledgeable coaches in place throughout the world is an important step in developing the future champions in bowling.”

The five-day event, portions of which will be conducted inside the eight-lane USBC Testing Facility, will feature a Silver coach certification program with USBC Gold coach, Master Instructor and Junior Team USA head coach Rod Ross followed by a Bronze Instructor session, where the attending coaches will learn how to teach the USBC Bronze certification conference and certify coaches in their home countries.

Coaches in attendance also will have access to exclusive new coaching technologies being developed by USBC.

Notables confirmed to participate include World Tenpin Masters champion and two-handed phenom Jason Belmonte of Australia, former PBA Tour player Andres Gomez of Colombia, multi-time international gold medalist Daniel Falconi of Mexico and long-time Swedeish national team head coach Magnus Johnsson as well as representatives from Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Denmark, England, Germany, Malaysia, Mexico, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.

Also in attendance will be left-handed Philippine bowling legend Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno (left), a USBC Level I coach and Bronze Instructor who has certified numerous coaches throughout Asia since teaming up with USBC in early 2007. Nepomuceno, a four-time World Cup champion, will receive Silver Instructor training at the event.

“The dedication Paeng has shown in certifying coaches is a fantastic example of how this program works,” said USBC Team USA High-Performance Director and co-Director of Coaching David Garber (right), who was part USBC Coaching’s first Level I and Bronze coach training in Guatemala City, Guatemala, last February.

“USBC wants to train and certify coaches within their countries to develop their athletes In turn, more countries will be able to train their players and take more pride in building a program they can call their own.”

The USBC Coaching program, which professionally trains and certifies coaches to teach the sport of bowling, currently has tremendous respect as it is the only coaching program for bowling recognized by the United States Olympic Committee. As part of its international strategy, USBC is developing more online coach training with the overall goal to expand USBC’s reach globally through information and education.

By Herbert Bickel
www.bowlingdigital.com