Global Coaching Leaders Graduate from ICECP’s 15th Edition in Lausanne
- Sarah McQuade
- May 8
- 2 min read
The 15th Edition of the International Coaching Enrichment Certification Program (ICECP) concluded with a celebratory graduation ceremony at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland. The ceremony was marked by a special presentation of certificates from IOC President Thomas Bach, honoring the program’s latest cohort of high-performing international coaches.
ICECP, a joint initiative of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and the University of Delaware, is proudly funded by Olympic Solidarity. Now in its 15th year, ICECP continues to unite, elevate, and inspire coaches from around the world through a globally recognized, blended-learning program.
The program blends online learning with in-person residential sessions held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and the University of Delaware, along with tailored placements at elite sports federations, high-performance centers, and NCAA institutions. But perhaps its most distinctive hallmark is the requirement for each coach to design and implement a work-based development project—applying their learning to generate tangible, local impact.
This year’s cohort delivered an impressive range of projects, spanning from grassroots participation and elite talent development to coach education and athlete transition programs. I was thrilled to mentor and support:
Pracharapol Khamsaman (Thailand) – Developing a second tier of coaching within Thailand’s Lawn Tennis Association
Senad Jusufi (Kosovo) – Introducing a mental skills training curriculum for junior national tennis players
Kim Dietrichsen (Denmark) – Building a community of practice for Danish swim coaches
Claudia Beristain Llanes (Mexico) – Launching a women’s high-performance coaching initiative in triathlon
As part of the first residential session at the University of Delaware, coaches participated in a leadership development workshop focused on personal reflection and professional growth. I facilitated the session, challenging participants to identify the leadership capabilities they need to succeed in their projects—and beyond.
We were able to build on this work with a Coaching into Leadership Professional Development Workshop, held during the final module in Lausanne. Delivered at the picturesque Movenpick Hotel on the shores of Lake Geneva, the two-day experience deepened coaches’ understanding of:
How to develop their best coaching selves by understanding themselves better
The role of self-care and “professional selfishness” in sustaining a coaching career
The power dynamics and politics of leadership in sport
How they can continue to drive meaningful change within their own coaching systems
I was honored to lead the opening and closing sessions of this workshop alongside a world-class tutoring team including Matt Robinson, Freda Patterson, Ian Barker, Peter Davis, TJ Buchanan, Tracey Lamb, Randy Wilbour, and Jocep Escoda.
As the 15th Cohort heads back to their home countries, they carry more than certificates—they carry a renewed sense of purpose, a global peer network, and actionable strategies to impact coaching from the ground up.
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