NOCK partners with UoN to launch Certificate Course in Sports Coaching
The six-month-long programme has attracted a cohort of 41 coaches and is designed to provide a holistic understanding of sports coaching
The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) in collaboration with the University of Nairobi’s Department of Physical Education and Sport have launched a Certificate Course in Sports Coaching.
The programme to be undertaken at the University’s Kikuyu campus, is likely to develop the country’s coaching landscape by combining scientific knowledge with practical expertise.
This new course seeks to bridge the gap of technical capacity and modern training for local coaches. It is expected that by offering structured learning in Olympic sports disciplines, equipping coaches with both theoretical foundations and practical applications will be a plus.
The initiative is a first in Africa, marking a unique collaboration between an Olympic Committee and a university, and has already garnered significant interest from aspiring coaches and existing ones.
“It is the first time we as the University of Nairobi are getting to interact with the industry and we are very glad that will be able to impact the coaches, and we will be very proud to see them apply these lessons and even probably coach some of our teams to the Olympic Games,” said Michael Otieno, a senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi.
The six-month-long programme has attracted a cohort of 41 coaches and is designed to provide a holistic understanding of sports coaching. Thirteen of the participants have received full scholarships from NOCK, ensuring inclusiveness and access to quality education in sports science. The course will be delivered by a blend of university lecturers and industry professionals.
“We realize the coaches are very good at what they do but when it comes to papers they lack, therefore we are very grateful to the University for accepting to collaborate with NOCK on this and we believe that it will enable the coaches to now advance to the next level,” offered NOCK treasurer Eliud Kariuki.
In its first semester, the curriculum will cover key areas such as sports pedagogy, sports psychology & sociology, sports administration & management, biomechanics in sports, and functional human anatomy & physiology. The second semester will dive deeper into specialised topics, including first aid and sports injury management, long-term athlete development pathway, nutrition and sports performance, principles of coaching & conditioning and sport-specific skills.
The significance of this programme extends beyond the classroom. It aligns seamlessly with NOCK’s long-term vision of establishing a High-Performance Centre (HPC) at the University of Nairobi’s main campus. This facility is envisioned to become the training hub for Team Kenya ahead of major international competitions, while also serving as a rehabilitation Centre for athletes recovering from injuries.
