Coaching Course

Ukraine Wrestling Federation Hosts Series of Education Activities for Coaches and Referees 

By United World Wrestling Press

KIEV, Ukraine (November 11) -- The long journey to open up wrestling education activities is underway in Ukraine, with the recent delivery of the United World Wrestling Technical Courses for Coaches Level 1 and Level 2 held last week in Kiev.

The courses, comprising an ‘Introduction to Refereeing’ module, were attended by 31 coaches and referees, including 5 female participants. The educational experience was organized for the national wrestling coaches and referees in the Koncha-Zaspa Olympic training center Ukraine from 17th to 28th of October. The courses were initiated by the Ukrainian Wrestling Association and supported by the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. Additional funding was provide by Olympic Solidarity.

"We are excited to see these courses being delivered in such a responsible manner," said UWW Development Director Deqa Niamkey. "The success of this event in Kiev demonstrated that with the support of local federation and authorities, we are able to find solutions together and carry out our educational activities with appropriate precautions."
 

The courses were well received by the national coaches and referees. The federation appreciated the support of the NOC, the OS and UWW, and appraised the UWW coaches courses. "The content is very useful for our coaches, it helps update their knowledge and skills and brought new perspective into wrestling coaching," said Ukrainian Wrestling Federation representative Dina Kharenko.

"The method used in delivery of these courses was engaging and interactive. We look forward to hosting the UWW TCC Level 3 in the near future."

The coaches courses were centered on the ‘Coaching and Safety’, ‘Practice and Planning’, ‘Developing a Coaching Philosophy’ and a review of the UWW Code of Ethics. An UWW ‘Introduction to Refereeing’ module was also delivered with an aim to help further advancing coaches’ understanding of the wrestling rules from referees perspective. An ‘Athlete Career Transition’ session was also held during the week.

Those who completed the course received certifications from the United World Wrestling via the Ukrainian Wrestling Association and the Olympic Solidarity via the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine.

Sign up for free online courses at United World Wrestling Academy https://academy.unitedworldwrestling.org.

Obituary

Franz Beckenbauer, football legend and wrestling's friend, passes away

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (January 10) -- Franz BECKENBAUER was a football pioneer, a World Cup legend and one of the world’s biggest sporting heroes. A true global star, he was worshipped by millions across the globe. And it wasn’t just the football fans for whom he was a hero.

Beckenbauer, who passed away on Monday aged 78, held a special place in the wrestling family for his immense contribution to popularising the sport and bringing it back into the Olympic fold.

When the wrestling fraternity was leaving no stone unturned to return to the Olympics back in 2013, Beckenbauer famously lent his unwavering support. Fondly known as The Kaiser, he shared his thoughts on the future of wrestling, met UWW President Nenad LALOVIC to discuss ways to improve the sport’s visibility and campaigned for its inclusion in the Olympics after it was removed from the program 11 years ago.

For this, Beckenbauer was awarded wrestling’s highest honor, the Golden Necklace. It’s an award usually given to the heads of state.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lalovic had said: “Franz said he grew up wanting to be a wrestler but his coaches told him he was too skinny and to try another sport.  The world is pretty glad that he did.”

Indeed, world football is richer and in a better place today because of Beckenbauer.

FRANZFranz Beckenbauer was awarded wrestling’s highest honor, the Golden Necklace, by UWW Bureau Member Rodica YAKSI.

Gifted with grace that he combined with steely determination, the player who started as a forward before dropping back and starting as a defender until he eventually created an altogether new role – the libero - redefined football.

He is one of the three men to have won the FIFA World Cup as a player and a coach. On both occasions, he masterminded wins over two players hailed as the greatest to ever grace football.

At the 1982 World Cup, the West Germany team captained by Beckenbauer defeated the legendary Netherlands side led by Johan Cruyff, the father of ‘total football’ philosophy. Then, as a coach of the German team at Italia 1990, Beckenbauer halted Diego Maradona’s Argentina.

At club level, too, he tasted incredible success with Bayern Munich, whom he led to three consecutive European titles as a player before taking them to further heights as a manager and later as the club’s president.

In the later stages of his career, Beckenbauer had a successful spell with Bundesliga side Hamburger SV and went on to win three North American Soccer League titles with New York Cosmos.

The Kaiser had an oversized impact on world football. But his influence reached far beyond the football field, as the sport of wrestling experienced in 2013.

UWW mourns the passing away of one of the true sporting icons spanning generations and expresses its deepest sympathies to the Beckenbauer family.