Videoconference with the Deputy Minister of Sports on Coaching Legislation

A moment from the second videoconference between coaches’ and physical education graduates’ organisations and Deputy Minister of Sports Mr Lefteris Avgenakis and his team.

On Wednesday, 24 March 2021, the second videoconference between organisations representing coaches and physical education graduates and Deputy Minister of Sports Mr Lefteris Avgenakis and his team took place at the Deputy Minister’s invitation.

The meeting focused on the final text of a sports bill dealing exclusively with coaching matters. The Hellenic Federation of Sports Coaches and Trainers (POPA), represented by President Mr Athanasios D. Villiotis and Vice President Mr Georgios Arachovitis, was particularly pleased to hear that, among other provisions, the bill would meet the following longstanding POPA demands:

1. Repeal of the unacceptable provision in Article 11, paragraph 1, of Law 2725/1999, under which clubs in individual sports were not required to employ a coach for athletes over 18. Employing a coach will now be compulsory in every sport, regardless of participants’ age.
2. Establishment of the three coaching categories (A, B and C) by law, rather than by ministerial decision as previously applied.
3. Revival of EKAET and establishment of a National Coaching School under the General Secretariat of Sports, with its own Board. The National Coaching School will establish all coaching schools and provide education of a higher standard than that offered to date.
4. Coaches will participate in their federations’ Boards with the right to speak and vote.
5. Graduates of coaching programmes at private and public vocational training institutes (IIEK and DIEK) will receive a Category C coaching licence from the General Secretariat of Sports. Until now, these graduates have had no opportunity to work as coaches, despite completing two and a half years of study—longer than the General Secretariat’s coaching schools—and despite this form of post-secondary education being an EU educational institution that all member states must respect.

The new coaching law will also provide for:

• Mandatory written employment contracts for coaches, with minimum remuneration of €250.
• Changes to the qualifications and duties of each coaching category.
• Recognition of university physical education and sport science degrees specialising in football as equivalent to UEFA B, and a 50% reduction in tuition fees for obtaining UEFA A.
• The right of UEFA A and B holders to apply to the General Secretariat of Sports for a professional coaching licence.

In their brief contribution, POPA’s President and Vice President also requested:

• Coaching schools to be established only where a need for new coaches in a sport has been identified, so that graduates can find work immediately.
• A way for interested people in remote parts of Greece to attend coaching schools.
• Lifelong professional development for coaches in all sports through EKAET, to keep them informed about the latest developments in coaching science, draw on Greek sports scientists for the benefit of Greek sport, and provide coaches with knowledge derived from research on Greek athletes across all sports.
• Coach identity cards to be issued exclusively by coaches’ associations.
• Checks on coaches’ legal qualifications.
• Amendment of existing coaching regulations to protect and advance coaches’ rights.
• Introduction of coaching regulations in every sport that currently has none.

Regarding the final point, POPA will invite all its member associations to a discussion to prepare proposals for submission to the Deputy Minister and the General Secretary of Sports.

The bill being prepared to regulate coaching matters will, for the first time, allow the Voice of the Coach to be heard in decision-making bodies and create a foundation for more favourable provisions for coaches in the future.