WorldCoaches Education

Youth are trained to become WorldCoaches by a qualified and experienced KNVB instructor. Within our instructor roster there are (1) KNVB instructors from the Netherlands and (2) local instructors who completed the WorldCoaches programme themselves and who have been specifically trained to become a WorldCoaches instructor. To ensure a sustainable model, investing in capacity and educating local instructors is crucial.

Training to be a WorldCoach – what does it look like?

The WorldCoaches programme kicks off with basic football training methods that, in line with the KNVB’s football philosophy, are always exercises that involve a ball. We do this because we believe that children have the most fun when they have a ball at their feet. However, although football activities are key to the programme, the integrated life skills are equally important. By carefully combining football and life skills, the programme gives WorldCoaches the practical tools needed to inspire younger generations during training sessions and guide them in their personal and social development.

The WorldCoaches educational programme is structured like a pyramid, which consists of four levels. The courses in these levels generally last five days. Between each course, the participants are purposefully given time to put what they have learned into practice within their own communities. Once participants have done so, a KNVB instructor will return to (1) deliver the next course and, (2) discuss the challenges that the participants may have encountered during their practice period. Lastly, at the end of each course, the participants receive a WorldCoaches certificate. Although there are different levels in the programme, participants do not need to have completed the entire pyramid to be considered a good WorldCoach. We believe that no matter where they stop in the programme, participants can have a positive impact on their community.