CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (June 27) – The Development Department of United World Wrestling this month delivered a trio of innovative courses at the Freestyle Wrestling World Cup in Los Angeles.

Over the course of one-week members of the development team led United World Wrestling first-ever Women’s Coaching Course, “Train the Trainers” program, and a Coach Educators Course. The “Mega Week” put primary focus on the expansion of wrestling coaching skills and how to teach them. The Mega Week was supported by the US Olympic Committee and Olympic Solidarity.

‘The development team’s work will make a difference,” said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. “Wrestling has some of the most passionate men and women in the world. I’m happy we are working closely with this group of motivated people.”

Train the Trainers

Train the Trainers taught United World Wrestling certified "Educators" to be certified as "Trainers" --  those who are able to deliver Educators Courses around the world. The course was delivered in collaboration with World Academy of Sports (WAoS). For the first time in wrestling history three members have been certified as the WAoS Trainers; Regional Development Officers - Vincent Aka, David Lopez and Andrey Vorontsov.

Coach Educators Course

United World Wrestling Coach Educators Course was delivered in partnership with WAoS and USA Wrestling  -- initiated a series of educational programmes under the banner of the “Wrestling Academy.”  The aim of the Wrestling Academy is to provide a clear educational pathway and resource guide  for national federations to be able to develop coaches, officials and managers from grassroots through to the international level. 

More than 20 coaches from a dozen nations attended. The course also increased the United World Wrestling educator workforce to 51 in total, with 11 female coaches certified at the course. More than 30-percent of new educators have been women.

Women’s Coaching Course

The capstone of the weekend was United World Wrestling’s first-ever female coaching course, funded and supported by the UWW Women and Sport Commission and Olympic Solidarity. A total of 16 female coaches from 11 countries attended the course, which enjoyed positive responses from several participants.

“I got a lot out of this course,” said Norway women wrestling head coach Lotta Anderson. “It feels good to be in the group and it provided me lots of new perspectives to look at coaching part. I’m excited to see what’s next!"

The unique 4-day female-only training course selected female wrestling coaches and elite wrestlers to participate in the unique course to help improve their wrestling coaching skills, and connect with other female leaders in the sport to share ideas for developing wrestling in their own communities/countries.

Highlights of the course included a Strength & Conditioning clinic led by Ivan Ivanov from Suples and a career transition session led by former wrestler and IOC Athletes Career Program trainer Yuri Maier. United World Wrestling refereeing commission member Edit Dozsa also delivered a rules clinic, while World Champion Adeline Gray presented a session on how to improve women’s wrestling.

President Lalovic wrapped the event and briefly discussed his vision for female involvement for years to come.

“I’m happy to see that we develop not only quantity but quality of wrestling coaches worldwide, as well as making measurable improvements,” said Lalovic. “By investing in female coaches education, we are sending a strong signal that wrestling will promote women’s involvement.”