Coaches Enhance Skills at Insightful Val di Fiemme Education Camp

Nestled in the stunning landscape of Val di Fiemme, coaches from fourteen nations recently gathered for an immersive four-day education camp focused on enhancing coaching skills in cross-country skiing. From May 8th to May 12th, the camp served as a vibrant platform for both theoretical lectures and hands-on practical sessions, facilitating knowledge sharing and skill improvement among participants.

Theoretical Sessions

The educational experience kicked off with an intensive series of lectures, amounting to approximately 16 hours of carefully curated theoretical training. Esteemed experts engaged the eager coaches, providing them with invaluable insights into various aspects of coaching.

Insights into Para Nordic Skiing
Under the guidance of Ralf Rombach, head coach of the GER Para-Nordic Team, participants gained a thorough understanding of Para Nordic skiing, particularly focusing on the nuances involved in training visually impaired (VI) athletes.

Understanding Female Physiology
Virginia De Martin, representing NTNU Medicine and Health Science in Trondheim, Norway, addressed the fundamental aspects of female physiology, equipping coaches with essential knowledge for effectively training female athletes.

Navigating Female Puberty
Professor Guro Strøm Solli provided clarity on the unique developmental phases encountered by female cross-country skiers, offering practical strategies for coaches to support their athletes during puberty.

Confronting Eating Disorders
In a candid lecture, Professor Therese Fostervold Mathisen tackled the important issue of eating disorders. Her session included real-life case studies and strategies aimed at addressing these concerns within the sports environment.

Optimizing Training for Young Athletes
Matteo Betta, coach of the ITA Junior XC Team, shared his expertise on organizing training for U14/U16 athletes, emphasizing the necessity of structured and goal-focused training programs.

Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD)
Finally, Paolo Rivero, Youth Technical Director for the ITA XC Team, introduced key principles of Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD), based on groundbreaking studies by J. Côté from Canada, which aim to promote holistic athlete growth.