By Sam Nicholson in Philadelphia
January 15 – The world’s largest coaches association is holding the world’s largest convention for coaches in Philadelphia, USA. The five-day National Soccer Coaches of America Association (NSCAA) opened yesterday with more than 4,000 coaches and 10,000 attendees from around the country expected to attend.
The event is a mix of seminars and practical demonstrations, and the schedule is impressive (www.etouches.com/ehome/nscaa15/schedule/). Alongside the seminars in the Philadelphia Convention Centre is an exhibition showcasing more than 300 companies and covering 600,000 sq ft.
Even Pele was on hand for the opening of proceedings.
The NSCAA was founded in 1941 and is a non-profit organisation with the core of its mission being to educate coaches via clinics, courses and other educational opportunities. The Convention and the Summer Symposium provide opportunities for networking, while members also have access to online education, insurance, and various other services.
Membership is primarily made up of coaches, but also includes administrators, referees and others in the football industry.
Participation at the convention includes sessions with many of the country’s top youth coaches. The MLS draft and the Women’s National Soccer League (WNSL) draft will also be held during the event.
At the convention opening the NSCAA announced a sponsorship deal with Nike. The deal runs through 2016. In addition to providing footwear, apparel, and select equipment and accessories to the 8,000+ coaches that attend NSCAA courses, Nike will also have a presence at NSCAA events, like this week’s NSCAA Convention and the NSCAA Summer Symposium.
“Nike is proud to partner with the NSCAA and honoured to support the progressive programs it executes in leading coaching education and player development in the United States,” said Andrea Perez, North America General Manager, Nike Soccer.
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