Convenção para o Reconhecimento das Competências e Qualificações dos Treinadores

It is proposed that the relevant national authorities and the international federations sign up to a Coaching Convention for the recognition of coaching competence and qualifications which states the following:

1. Coaches play a central role in providing sport experiences for sportspeople of all ages and skill levels

2. To fulfil their role, coaches must have appropriate competence and training, taking into account the target group(s) with whom they are working

3. Coaches are expected to be as concerned with the well being of the sportspeople as they are with optimising performance.

4. Coaches should respect the rights, dignity and worth of every sports participant, and treat everyone equally, regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion or political conviction.

5. Coaches are expected to work in an open and co-operative manner with all individuals responsible for the welfare and performance development of the sportspeople.

6. Coaches should develop and maintain a high standard of training; their action, whilst conducting training sessions, should reflect scientific knowledge and current expertise.

7. Scientific principles should be applied in every level of coaches training.

8. Responsibilities and professional competence should gradually build up from the initial levels of coaches qualification to the final ones.

9. All coaches should hold a coaching qualification that is recognised by the national competent authority and the relevant federation.

10. The framework for the recognition of coaching competence and qualifications as proposed by the European Coaching Council in the Review of the 5-Level Structure is the European recognised reference point for the period 2008-11. During this period, a revised framework for the Recognition of Coaching Competence and Qualifications will be developed.

11. As part of the development of the Revised Framework the establishment of a formal review mechanism will be investigated to provide a basis on which prior learning and current competence can be recognised and where coaching qualifications can be reviewed against the ECC framework.

12. As part of the development of the Revised Framework consideration should be given to the establishment of a licensing system that will have international recognition and currency.

13. Each participating agency in the convention will undertake to use the review of the Framework as a reference point for their work and to contribute to the further improvement of the Framework between 2008 and 2011. The convention is not legally binding and is without prejudice to the positions taken by each sport and national authority on the final Revised Framework.

The contents of this document will provide the basis for agreeing a European Convention on the Recognition of coaching competence and qualifications in Rio Maior in September 2007. Thereafter, it is proposed to establish a more detailed set of actions for the implementation of the provisions of the Convention of the revised structure for the recognition of coaching competencies and qualifications. Discussions will also occur with the International Olympic Committee and the International Council for Coach Education concerning the potential application of the revised framework outside the European Union.