The IMMAF MMA Coaches Licensing Course took place at the Paris Racing Club in Paris, France, on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 September 2019, led by Director of Sport Development, Dr. Andrew Moshanov, and Commission Française de Mixed Martial Arts (CFMMA) President Bertrand Amoussou.
The course took place in the same week that France’s various combat sports federations were expected to submit their bids to adopt MMA within their structures, as part of Sports Minister Roxana Mărăcineanu’s plan to fast-track the legalisation and regulation of the sport in the country. It was also this week that IMMAF President Kerrith Brown and CEO Densign White were in Paris for meetings with politicians, and also met with a couple of the bid applicants, the French Boxing Federation (FFB) and French Wrestling Federation (FFL).
The aims of the IMMAF Coach Education and Certification program (CECP) are to set the standards for coaching practice in amateur MMA worldwide; to help coaches develop an appropriate level of competence; to regulate coaching practice; to ensure that continuous professional development is in place and that coaches remain informed of the latest trends in the sport. Education and licensing are key responsibilities and requirements for sports governing bodies.
IMMAF’s programme was developed by Dr. Moshanov who was previously Head of Development for International Sambo Federation (2012 – 2017), Technical Director of the British Judo Association (2005 -2010) and Sports Director for Russian Judo (2000-2004) in charge of the national team for all major events. With a PhD from Moscow State University of Physical Education and Sport (2000), he also led the Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) National Judo team in their training for the XIII Asian and Olympic Games (1996- 2000).
Thus, the MMA programme works well within the educational canon of recognised martial arts, which will chime well in France, where it is mandatory for sports clubs and gyms to be members of a federation and meet its licensing requirements.
Speaking of the Paris course, Moshanov, said:
“It has been a very productive couple of days. We presented twenty-six coaches with all aspects of teaching methodology and basic concepts of sports training. It will help them to work effectively, professionally and to take the sport of MMA to the next level”
“There is great interest in and anticipation for MMA recognition in France. There’s six coaches here from Paris clubs, with the remaining 20 coaches coming from all over the country, from Lille, Brest, Marseille, Cannes …….all getting themselves ready for the new era of this sport in France.”
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