Preparing coaches and players virtually in Korea and beyond

This week, the Korea Handball Federation (KHF) has been producing content for, and testing, a ‘Virtual Academy in Korea’ for coaches from the Asian nation, as well as the other 43 nations which make up the Asian Handball Federation (AHF).

The virtual academy forms part of the Handball Academy in Korea (HAK) which was established in partnership with the IHF back in a signing ceremony last July at the 37th IHF Ordinary Congress, held in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Set to go live online throughout July and August, the virtual academy is initially aimed at coaches in Korea and in East, South and South-East Asia.

The purpose of establishing the HAK is to perform a basic Research and Development (R&D) function for the capabilities of the KHF and to secure more-exclusivity with, and expansion of, associated organisations in Korea in a crowded sporting marketplace. Key organisational partners include the Korea Institute of Sport Science and Seoul National University. Legendary Korean handball player, now coach, Oh Seong-ok is also participating with the HAK.

The HAK is divided into six major departments with two additional, supporting departments. Headed up by a Chairperson and supported by a Planning Department and Consultative Group, the departments include Coach Department, Referee Department, Talented Players Discovery Department, Handball Library Department and an Analysis Department.

It is hoped the HAK, which was made possible due to full support from the AHF, will be able to cultivate even further outstanding coaching staff and referees with more organised oversight and management as well as acting as a strategic point in the continent.

The programme for coaching staff includes operating academy programmes, coach development and training programmes and organisation of different coaching levels, while for referees it includes recruiting, training, placement, evaluation and rewarding. Both departments link to the IHF with two supporting departments.

Earlier this month IHF.info reported on the launch of the IHF Virtual Academy, a component of the IHF Education Centre, which aims to continue promoting the worldwide development of handball by introducing a number of IHF training and licencing programmes entirely online.

For further information about the Korea Handball Federation, visit their official website.

PHOTO: Korea Handball Federation