On Monday, a new chapter opened in the history of Hungarian handball with the launch of the European Handball Association (EHF)’s Master Coach and Licensing Course. Organised by the Hungarian Handball Federation’s International Training Centre, this course represents the highest level of education available for professional handball coaches around the world. Hungary is the first nation in Europe where trainers can take part in a programme which results in not only a master coach diploma, but a license which is valid across the continent as well.
The ceremonial opening was attended by Iván Vetési, president of the Hungarian Handball Federation, Lajos Mocsai, head coach of the men’s national handball team, Karl Erik Bøhn, head coach of the women’s national team, Dr. Miklós Tóth, dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Dr. Wolfgang Pollany, member of the EHF’s Methods Commission, Zoltán Marczinka, the programme’s Hungarian academic leader, as well as all students registered in the programme.
“I am very pleased that, in fitting with the traditions and successes of Hungarian handball, the highest level of coach training has now commenced,” President of the Hungarian Handball Federation Iván Vetesi said at the opening ceremony. “Handball is one of those few ball games in which Hungarian experts are sought after abroad and by the world’s leading teams. If the 26 students starting the programme will join the current 7 Hungarian EHF master coaches then, in addition to our elite men’s team and club teams –which always do quite well in European Cup tournaments –our coaches will hopefully also prove that they can hold their own anywhere in the world.”
Zoltán Marczinka, the programme’s Hungarian academic leader expressed his gratitude to the Hungarian Handball Federation and Semmelweis University. “We had always thought along the lines of university-level training; thus, when we took advantage of the opportunity to have the Hungarian Handball Federation organise the programme, we naturally relied heavily on the university background,” he said.
Dr. Wolfgang Pollany, member of the EHF’s Methods Commission related that the Hungarian launch of the EHF master coach programme is a historic moment for handball, since this is the first programme in any of the EHF member countries which results in both an EHF Master Coach diploma and a license. The license is valid for two years, which can be renewed every two years through further training programmes.
As the closing part of the opening ceremony, Iván Vetési and Dr. Miklós Tóth signed a framework agreement for cooperation in the training programme between the Hungarian Handball Federation and Semmelweis University. Dean Miklós Tóth related that a framework agreement is like an engagement and expressed his hope that the two sides will fill it with the type of content that will make the “marriage” between the university and the Hungarian Handball Federation a truly fruitful one.
Gina Gönczi, using the Hungarian Handball Federation’s original Hungarian article
