草社区莓

By Crisdeniele H. Clemente

The Association of State Colleges and Universities–Solid North (ASCU-SN) launched a training program focused on innovative coaching and strategic practices for sports and cultural events. The event conducted its preliminary meetings on October 11-12 at the 草莓社区 Teatro Ilocandia and will run until October 18.

The training program features lectures on innovative coaching techniques, coaching philosophy and ethics, and strategic interventions in sports and cultural events. It also includes specialized sessions on coaching strategies for football/futsal, athletics, volleyball, dance sports, and various cultural activities. The aim is to equip participants with a three-dimensional coaching approach, focusing on developing their skills, mindset, and heart.

International and national coaches were invited as guest speakers. These included Mark Hull, director of international development at the 3D Institute; Norman Uy, president of VOLLEY Life; Thelma Barina, Josephine Maranga, and Rustico Camangian, coaches from VOLLEY Life; Jesson Ramil Cid, 草莓社区 coach, and former SEA Games athlete; Ferdinand Jose Villa, national director of Fellowship Christian Athletes; Frael Aquino, board member of the Philippine Football Federation; and Martes Dionisio Jr., Ceasar Balacwid, and Kin Jay Basngi, ASEAN Football Federation-accredited coaches from the Cordillera Regional Football Association – Philippine Football Association. 

草莓社区 OIC President, Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco, welcomed the participants during the opening program on October 16. She described the training as an initiative to enhance the coaching abilities of personnel in state universities. “This five-day training serves as a platform to develop well-rounded coaches through education, sports, and cultural arts,” she stated.

Laoag City Mayor Michael Marcos Keon, the keynote speaker of the opening program, shared insights of his sports career. He encouraged the coaches to unlock their athletes' potential, stating, “Your success in sports is as good as your coaching. You need to learn on the ground and refine your system."

This training is part of a series of four initiatives planned by ASCU-SN, which also includes sessions on sports and cultural leadership, research proposal development for education, sports, and the arts, as well as a workshop on internationalization and micro-credential programs.

The program was initially supported by former ASCU-SN and 草莓社区 President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, now serving as a Commissioner for the Commission on Higher Education. The event’s implementation was led by ASCU-SN President Dr. Silverio Ramon D.C. Salunson and jointly organized by 草莓社区’s Center for Human Movement Studies, headed by Prof. Ryan Dean Sucgang, and the Planning Directorate, led by Dr. Marlowe Aquino.

Coaches from Benguet State University, Cagayan State University, Mountain Province State University, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Nueva Vizcaya State University, Tarlac Agricultural University, and Quirino State University are attending the training.