USOC workshop
UD, US Olympic Committee to host inaugural American Development Model Workshop
12:57 p.m., Aug. 17, 2015--The University of Delaware, in conjunction with the United States Olympic Committee and the Delaware Sports Commission (DSC), will host the inaugural USOC American Development Model Workshop on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 18-19, at the University’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus and Bob Carpenter Center.
Representatives from the USOC and more than 25 National Governing Bodies are expected to attend, along with other key athlete development influencers from within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family.
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Matthew Robinson, professor and director of UD’s Sport Management Program and chairman of the DSC, said, “Sports in America have a profound impact on many individuals and the NGBs of the United States are taking progressive action in sharing, learning, and training athletes using the American Development Model principles.”
The USOC partnered with NGBs to create the American Development Model (ADM), which is designed to help Americans realize their full athletic potential and utilize sport as a path toward an active and healthy lifestyle.
The five-stage model illustrates an athlete’s advancement through a preferred pathway, and supports a healthy sport experience based on the individual’s physical, mental and emotional development.
By creating early positive experiences across all sports, the ADM aims to promote sustained sport participation, improve the well-being of future generations in the United States and grow the athlete pipeline from which U.S. Olympians and Paralympians are selected.
“Research has shown the importance of fun, age-appropriate participation as crucial in the development of elite athletes,” said Alan Ashley, USOC chief of sport performance. “We are seeing promising signs from young athletes who are excelling thanks to these fundamental principles, which are centered on universal access, developmentally appropriate activities, multi-sport participation, quality coaching and fun.”
During the two-day conference, participants will share strategies and best practices on how to best apply long-term athlete development principles within their sport, and learn from NGBs that have successfully implemented the ADM into their organizations.
Along with lectures and panels there will be breakout sessions to further discuss this application process in a sport-specific manner.
The workshop will open with introductory and welcoming remarks from Nancy Targett, acting president of UD, as well as Bernice Whaley, director of the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO).
“We are honored to have the opportunity to host the conference and we welcome the opportunity to continue to grow our existing relationship with the USOC,” Robinson said. “This is a great opportunity to show off the state of Delaware and the passion the state has for sport as well as showcasing the world class sport performance labs on the STAR Campus and our first class athletic facilities.”
The University has also hosted the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP) and the International Coaching Apprenticeship in Basketball (ICAB) and in seven years the two programs combined have educated over 200 coaches from 90 countries.
Along with this, UD and the DSC hosted the USA Basketball Women’s National Team scrimmage in 2014, and the Center for Applied Business and Economic Research (CABER) has conducted research for the USOC, USA Basketball and U.S. Soccer. Along with this, Kristen Carr, UD MBA 2015 and DSC Program, is a member of the U.S. Women’s National Lacrosse Team.
“We value our relationship with the U.S. Olympic Movement and we hope to continue to contribute to the growth of sport in the U.S. and play a small part in U.S. athletes achieving their full potential as Olympic, Paralympic and world champions,” Robinson said.