VEN - Success for Olympic solidarity clinic (2006)

CARACAS (Olympic Solidarity / coaching) - The Olympic Solidarity Basketball Coaching Clinic held from the 27 - 31 March 2006 in Caracas, Venezuela was a huge success.

The Venezuelan Basketball Federation hosted the clinic with 25 participants, but 96 coaches were active through the clinic. Clinic Instructor was Joaquin Brizuela Carrion, currently working in the Technical Department of the Spanish Federation.
 
Accommodations for participants where excellent and close to where the course was held what made it very practical for clinic organization.

The venue locations where clinic were held ware also very good. The proximity between the different areas (Assembly Room, Sport Hall, etc.) made getting around very easy.

The courses were well organized and they were sufficient coffee breaks for the students which gave them a chance to interact and socialize.

The facilities for the courses were perfect. The Assembly Room of the Olympic Committee of Venezuela where the theory classes were held was truly magnificent. One of the greatest things was that there was absolutely no shortage of players (demonstrators) which gave a heighten sense of realism to the clinic.

 All courses were closely monitored by the Venezuelan Basketball Federation which gave a lot of support to the overall running of the clinic.
 
They were extremely friendly, and very quick and able to solve any problems which would arise. 
 
The course given were level II  Young Coaches Course and the content was taken directly from the Basketball for Young Players book.
 
In the last four years Venezuela Basketball Federation organized four coaching clinics which is very positive. Olympic Solidarity course was held in 2003,  Level II clinics were held in 2004 and 2005 and Level III clinic has been organized in 2006

Currently there are no coaches associations or educational system for coaches in Venezuela, but the Venezuelan Basketball Federation is currently working to improve this situation.

These 5 days of theoretical and practical learning really emphasised the fact that High-quality coaching is vital to an athlete's preparation, which is why the role and training of coaches are decisive elements in the life of an athlete, whether at beginner or international level.