ORGANIZATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF COACHES’ PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN THE WORLD AND IN UKRAINE

Abstract

In the context of globalization, social change, and increasing demands for the quality of sports services, the role of coaches is gaining even greater significance. Accordingly, the issues of their training and professional development constitute a relevant subject for academic inquiry.Objective: A narrative review of the organizational foundations of coach professional training worldwide and in Ukraine. Materials and Methods: analysis and systematization of data from literary sources; methods of induction and deduction, comparison and juxtaposition, methods of systematic and logical analysis, synthesis, and generalization. Results. It has been established that coaching education systems vary depending on the country and the type of sport: in some cases, training is organized by national sports organizations, while in others, it is provided by institutions of higher and continuing education. However, a hybrid model is increasingly becoming the foundation for coaches’ professional development. The coaching system is based on five key drivers, the most fundamental of which is athlete-centeredness; among the remaining four is the professional development of coaches. Within the process of professional development, three types of learning situations are distinguished: mediated (formal and non-formal), unmediated (non-formal), and internal learning (informal and self-reflection), occurring at various stages of lifelong coach education. Coach training is underpinned by various learning theories: the knowledge-based approach, the competence/expert approach, the competence-based approach, and the sociocultural approach. The most effective strategy is a combination of these approaches, selected according to context, goals, and objectives.Conclusions. The national system of coach training and professional development in Ukraine possesses certain distinctive features. Currently, the initial professional training of coaches in Ukraine is conducted as a form of mediated learning–specifically, formal education within institutions of higher education, in accordance with state standards. Among the learning theories, Ukraine has extensive experience with the knowledge-oriented approach and is progressively developing a competence-based approach. Strategically, it is envisioned that coach training and professional development in Ukraine will incorporate various forms of education–formal, non-formal, and informal. The implementation of a comprehensive system for enhancing the qualifications of Ukrainian coaches, as well as improving the overall system of their training and professional development, is gaining strategic importance for the physical culture and sports sector in Ukraine in the coming years.