In partnership with the Oman Ministry of Sport Affairs, represented by Saada Al-Ismaili, the Director of Women's Activities, Global Sports Partners brought three American female coaching experts to Muscat to conduct a Physical Education training course and a youth girls' multi-sport camp. These two events took place over the course of one week in late October of 2017.
The GSP team arrived on Thursday, October 19th and conducted the Physical Education training course over the weekend at Al Amal Club. A total of eight female Omani PE teachers and coaches participated in the course, which was administered using our Train-the-Trainers approach. A classroom setting was used for the theoretical training sessions, while the practical, hands-on training took place in the club's indoor sports hall.
The lectures included an introduction to the sports of ultimate Frisbee and volleyball. These sports are not very well known in the area, so a natural goal and vision of the GSP team is to see these sports included in future curriculum for Omani PE teachers. Another goal of the training event was to strengthen the knowledge of existing sports within their programs, such as football and basketball. Finally, the PE teachers and coaches were trained to be assistants for the youth girls' multi-sports camp, and given their specific assignments and roles.
Each attendee was awarded a T-shirt and a certificate for their participation in the two-day training course.
The youth girls' multi-sport camp ran from October 21st until the 26th at the As Seeb International School. The GSP team along with the female PE trainees explained the rules and taught the basic instructions for four sports- basketball, football, ultimate Frisbee, and volleyball. The girls were much more familiar with basketball and football, but were eager to learn about two new sports. Additionally, the best practices of nutrition and fitness were shared with the youth, who were greatly encouraged by our team to apply these principles for a healthy lifestyle.
Our coaching experts also provided fundamental skill exercises for each sport through exciting drills and games. Each of the six days were filled with high energy and fun, as the girls worked on understanding the rules and fundamentals of volleyball and ultimate Frisbee, and sharpened their basketball and football skills. Our coaches and assistants did a fantastic job of creating and maintaining a positive environment throughout camp the entire week. Everyone involved had a great time!
Finally, GSP recognizes that sport not only impacts physical ability and health, but is naturally transferable to real-life situations and provides a platform to impact people and communities. Therefore, teaching positive attitudes and ethical behaviors is a vital aspect of every project we conduct.
Both in the Train-the-Trainers Course and the Youth Girls’ Multi-Sport Camp, sessions were devoted to character and leadership development. Within the Train-the-Trainers course, these sessions were focused on the development of these values in the students and athletes that the PE teachers coach and teach. Teaching and developing these positive values were then modeled during the camp. The focused topics included teamwork, communication, sportsmanship, and responsibility.
GSP is very appreciative of the Oman Ministry of Sport Affairs, Ms. Saada Al-Ismaili, and everyone involved who made this week such an enjoyable and beneficial experience. The Physical Education trainees were overwhelmingly positive, indicating that they enjoyed and learned helpful information and values that will help them teach and coach students more effectively. Similarly, the youth girls communicated that they greatly enjoyed the multi-sport camp and they are looking forward to continuing to learn and regularly participate in sport.
