Development of a National Sport System

Development of a National Sport System (DNSS) is an Olympic Solidarity funded program available to MNA’s through their National Olympic Committee.

DNSS is an extremely varied program which allows MNA’s to put into place a medium or long-term action plan to develop and strengthen their basic coaching structures and related sport systems.

Projects may last between 6–12 months and can greatly improve an MNA’s structures in coaching, instructing, officiating or talent identification.

Types of Projects

While improving the coach education system should be the main objective of the proposed projects from the NOCs, it is important to highlight that this programme also provides the opportunity to:

  • look at athlete development pathways,
  • look at good governance policies,
  • build administrative capacity to support the coach and athlete activities,
  • optimise existing aspects of their overall management, etc.

The following list of potential topics is not exhaustive and is meant only to provide you with some guidance.

  • To develop coaches and umpires through the implementation of an action plan focusing on a coaching and education programme
  • To look at new policies around training, competition and selection systems to ensure a sustainable future for the sport
  • To conduct courses for existing coaches
  • To encourage grassroots development or further develop existing initiatives
  • To create a national talent pool of coaches, athletes and administrators or improve the existing system
  • To establish/improve the competition system
  • To review the national team selection policy; to analyse preparation periods and competition periods
  • To set up or improve an elite training programme for the national team
  • To establish a performance monitoring system for athletes, coaches and umpires
  • To set up championship observer programmes

Previous Programs

In 2018 Sailing Cook Islands implemented a program of Instructor Training in partnership with Australian Sailing.  The program saw not only the training of Instructors and Assistant Instructors but also a senior instructor who can train future potential instructors and provided materials to run Learn to Sail programs for beginners, lead by Australian Sailing Chief Dinghy Instructor Chris Goldacre.

The Program also allowed Sailing Cook Islands to reflect on their management structure, reviewing how they worked with their member Sailing Clubs and National Class Associations

Image supplied by Sailing Cook Islands