FEI Development Update

The FEI Development Working Group met in Düsseldorf (GER) on 30 January. The Meeting was also attended by Mr Freddy Serpieri, FEI 1st Vice President, Andy Griffiths, Eventing Development Officer for Eastern Europe and Stephan Wirth (GER), FEI Course Designer of the course plans for the 2006 FEI World Jumping Challenge and Dr Harald Muller, Senior Manager for Education at the Member Services Department (MSD), International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in Monaco.

The meeting started by an update of the Development Department situation as of 31 December 2005 and presentation of the short, medium and long term objectives, which are principally to work at the implementation of the Coach Education System and assist NFs in putting in place a structure for their local coaches; to improve the coaching material, establish a coach data base and work on a Level 3; to improve communication tools such as the Development News Letter and the newly created TV Magazine sponsored by Rolex.

It was also explained that one of the tasks of the new Department was to provide a long term strategic plan.

A very interesting presentation was made by Dr Harald Muller explaining what any process of development requires. For one year now, Dr Muller is advising the FEI in its process of putting in place a development structure. His very professional advices and expertise in the field of sports development is invaluable to the FEI.

Dr Muller explained that the IAAF went through this process of development. Between 1986 and 1989, IAAF made an analysis of their sport and an analysis of the situation in their 6 IAAF Areas. They were able to establish an Area Map which, in turn, led to the establishment of a development strategy. The IAAF Development Programme is managed by the MSD in Monaco and operated through 9 Regional Development Centers that carry out the various development activities.

IAAF started development activities in 1975 with an annual budget of less than US$ 50,000. Today IAAF’s annual development budget is in the amount of US$ 13,000,000 and has additional sponsors for their development programme.

With reference to coach education, Dr Muller explained that the IAAF coaches’ education system comprises Level 1 and 2 courses delivered by IAAF Lecturers and a Level 3 called Academy Coaches Course delivered through IAAF Academies in cooperation with universities.

Both Andy Griffiths, Eventing Development Officer and Jean-Philippe Camboulives, FEI Tutor reported on the Eventing Development Programme in Eastern Europe and South America. Andy Griffiths underlined the necessity to help NFs in Eastern Europe to adhere to the FEI Coach Education System. Progress has been obviously demonstrated by the increase in the participation of riders in Eventing (60 %) and the very promising participation of Young Riders provides proof that the discipline is evolving very quickly and the FEI will have to count with riders from this area in a near future on the international scene.

Jean-Philippe Camboulives reported on the Level 1 course for coaches and the special debriefing with coaches, riders and officials he conducted in Porto Alegre, Brazil within the framework of the CCI**. The level of the discipline in South America is somewhat higher than in Eastern Europe. This is mainly due to existing qualified coaches there. Some very good riders have the capacity to qualify for the Olympics with a little bit of help. For many years, the development of Eventing in South/Central America has been under the responsibility of José Ortelli (ARG).

Stefan Wirth (GER), FEI Course Designer presented the course plans for the 2006 FEI World Jumping Challenge. Category B course plans have been re-designed taking into consideration safety and the jumping technique taught in the Level 1 Jumping Module of the Coaching Education System. Trot sections using trot poles have been introduced in order to require riders to improve the basic jumping technique that is necessary to progress to higher levels.