Erasmus+ Coach Study Tour Spain 2019-2020

Erasmus+ Mobility Programme:

The Erasmus+ Mobility Programme targets learners and staff active in the education, training and youth fields and aims to promote transnational mobility activities by:

• supporting professional development in order to innovate and improve the quality of teaching, training and youth work across Europe;
• enhancing foreign languages competence;
• raising awareness and understanding of other cultures and countries in order to develop a sense of European citizenship and identity;

Basketball England project - European Community of Basketball Coaching Practice:

Basketball England has accessed funding via the Erasmus+ programme to deliver a project that will provide a group of 40 coaches with an in-depth experience of the coaching culture and practices within Spain with a view to developing a ‘European Community of Basketball Coaching Practice’. The expected participant learning outcomes will include:

• identification of best practice in talent development, performance coaching and player development
• analysis of leading European junior coaches and European style of play
• identification of strategies to be implemented within the coach’s own environment
• analysis of the coaching practice of top European Clubs
• identification of the major success factors in the identified programmes.

Invitation to apply:

This prestigious coaching experience which will start in the autumn break 26th October to 2nd November 2019 and culminate in a 4-day trip to the Spanish national coaching conference in July. The tour will comprise 11 days total in Spain.

The Study Tour will focus on coaches, who are working with young players (14 to 18-year olds). Successful coaches will attend two blocks in October 2019 and July 2020.

The tour will be organised into 4 groups of ten coaches (total 40 coaches):

• Lead Academy coaches / directors
• Female Coaches
• Academy coaches
• Coaches in Talent Pathway, National Leagues or National Teams

October's itinerary: 

Travelling from London Heathrow on Saturday 26th October, all selected coaches will enjoy multiple games in Madrid, with access to ACB practices as part of the trip. Working closely with the local federation in Madrid, there will also be the opportunity for involvement in youth programmes, clinics, cultural visits and more before return to the UK on Saturday 2nd November.

Participation fees:

The funding received via the Erasmus+ programme enables Basketball England to cover the majority of the costs involved in the trip. However, in order to achieve maximum value from the project, including access the National Coaching Conference, we would request a contribution of £300 towards the costs of the second trip in July. For this you would receive full board, food and lodging for both periods of stay (11 days total), flights and internal transfers, as well access to all activities outlined above (e.g. entry into games/clinics, access to the Coaching Conference).

*The £300 contribution is not required till the end of June 2020.

Participant conditions and criteria for selection:

Nominees must be actively coaching young players in England. In addition, nominees must be:

• Currently affiliated coach with Basketball England.
• Totally committed to attending and completing all elements of the study tour.
• Coaching within the EABL/ ABL / WEABL, Talent Pathway (ASPIRE, EDP, ETP or GB National Teams OR
• Head Coach in National League / BBL and/or WBBL
• If a non-UK Passport holder, able to demonstrate their commitment to developing the game in the UK

The successful candidate must:

• complete a comprehensive written report detailing coaches learning, new skills, techniques and drills gathered on the tour
• deliver presentations to Basketball England’s coaches at regional clinics and/or the national coaching conference.

Application process:

Nominations are invited from all sections of the basketball community. All nominees should forward their coaching CV including an electronic passport sized photograph, along with a covering letter detailing how the Study Tour fits within the applicants’ personal development and future coaching plan to Brian Aldred, via email using the button below.

Applications are closing soon.

Applications will be reviewed by the Coaching Advisory Group. The selection process is to be completed within a week of applications closing. 

Basketball England is an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.