EYLE: Dutch masterclass gets coach training underway!

During April, the Dutch National Federation (KNHS) hosted the participating nations in the Equestrian Young Leaders Europe (EYLE) project to focus on coach education.

Led by the Dutch programme manager Fenna Westerduin, the two-day itinerary allowed for visits to riding schools that currently run the young leaders programme, alongside a full-day coach workshop.

Representatives from Bulgaria, Norway and Hungary were in attendance alongside the EEF project managers and a representative from the Swedish Federation. The basis of the EYLE stems from the existing programmes in the Netherlands and Sweden, and the knowledge share these two federations have provided has allowed for the creation of a European-wide leadership initiative. 

The group visited two riding schools that are both active in the Dutch Young Leaders to understand how the project runs on a practical level. There were opportunities to speak to existing coaches and young leader participants to see how to build a successful model. Both riding schools had quite different set ups, which gave important learnings in how aspects of the programme can be adapted to suit each individual riding school and still deliver the key leadership sessions to the young riders.

Day two was based at KNHS HQ, situated at the National Riding Centre in Ermelo. Here Fenna led the representatives through the same training they provide for all the Young Leader coaches in the Netherlands, in order to equip each nation with the skills to go back and train their own national coaches.

Speaking on the visit and the importance of coach training, Fenna Westerduin said “Working with youth and young people is fantastic. It is important that they receive the right support when they need it. The Young Leader coach is crucial in this process, and ensuring they are trained and confident to deliver to the programme is really important”

Norway representative Are Hvaal-Garnaas commented after the “wonderful days” that “It was really great to see the program in action and I am convinced this is a great opportunity for children and the future of the Equestrian sport”