Coordinated by INSIDE EU, the project has been awarded Erasmus+ funding and brings together six organisations from Germany, Ireland, Cyprus, Greece, the Netherlands and Portugal.

TMA-CSF aims to develop the first evidence-based, style-agnostic framework for coaching quality in Traditional Martial Arts (TMA). The project will also establish a common coach-education pathway and a cross-style quality-assurance model.

Strengthening Coaching Quality in Traditional Martial Arts

Traditional Martial Arts can provide much more than opportunities for physical activity. At their best, they can support confidence, resilience, compassion, social connection and personal development.

However, the quality of these experiences depends greatly on the coaching environment. Areas such as safeguarding, inclusion, injury management and value-based coaching are therefore essential to creating safe, positive and participant-centred experiences.

TMA-CSF has been developed to address these challenges while encouraging greater cooperation across different martial arts traditions.

A style-agnostic approach will allow knowledge, evidence and good practice to be shared across different disciplines and national contexts. This is particularly important for martial arts organisations that may have less access to established coaching standards, education structures and quality-assurance systems.

From Research to Practical Coaching Resources

Over the next three years, the partnership will combine research, coach education, practical resources, quality assurance and digital learning.

Planned project outputs include:

• an eight-module online coach education course
• practical tools and resources for coaches
• a self-review framework for coaching quality
• an External Quality Assurance/Ambassador pathway
• an AI-supported e-learning platform
• a series of international Coach Quality Conferences

Together, these resources will help translate research and coaching standards into practical support that can be applied across different Traditional Martial Arts settings.

ICSSPE to Lead Key Areas of the Project

ICSSPE will play a major role in TMA-CSF, drawing on its longstanding expertise in sport science, coach education, coaching policy, safeguarding, inclusion and sport governance.

ICSSPE will lead the work package dedicated to coach education and training resources. This will include the development of practical tools designed to help coaches apply the new TMA-CSF framework in their everyday coaching practice.

ICSSPE will also lead the development of the External Quality Assurance/Ambassador pathway, which will support consistent standards and encourage the long-term application of the project’s approach across organisations and martial arts traditions.

In addition, ICSSPE will contribute to the project’s research and quality-assurance activities and will host the first international Coach Quality Conference.

These responsibilities place ICSSPE at the centre of translating the project’s research and framework into practical learning opportunities and quality-assurance mechanisms for coaches and organisations.

Building on ICSSPE’s Experience in Coaching and European Cooperation

TMA-CSF builds on ICSSPE’s extensive experience in European projects and initiatives related to coaching quality, evidence-based sport policy and inclusive sport.

This includes previous involvement in projects such as PEAK, ASPIRE, WHISTLE and iCoachKids, which have contributed to the development of knowledge, tools and policy approaches across sport and coaching.

Through TMA-CSF, ICSSPE will continue to connect research, policy and practice, helping to ensure that evidence-based approaches are transformed into practical resources that coaches and sport organisations can use.

Supporting Safer and More Inclusive Coaching

European collaboration is central to the project. Developing a genuinely style-agnostic framework requires expertise and experience from different countries, martial arts traditions and organisations.

By bringing these perspectives together, TMA-CSF aims to strengthen cooperation across the sector and ensure that high-quality coaching practices can reach organisations with different levels of existing infrastructure.

Through its contribution to the project, ICSSPE will continue to promote safe, inclusive, evidence-based and participant-centred coaching, while supporting greater knowledge exchange across Traditional Martial Arts and the wider sport sector.

Photo: Courtesy of INSIDE EU

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The training is a free, fully online, 12-week capacity-building programme designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and practical tools needed to promote and champion Sport for All within their communities.

Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive a TAFISA certification.

Who Can Apply?

The programme welcomes participants from a wide range of backgrounds, including:

• Students and young people
• Volunteers
• Sport enthusiasts and community advocates
• Sport professionals and practitioners
• Anyone with an interest in Sport for All, regardless of age, background or previous experience

What Does the Training Include?

Participants will benefit from:

• A limited online TAFISA Certified Leadership Course
• 12 weeks of online training
• Training available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese
• TAFISA certification upon successful completion
• Participation completely free of charge

The KESCAB Sport for All Leadership Training forms part of the KESCAB Online Hub project and aims to strengthen capacity among individuals who want to contribute to more inclusive and accessible opportunities for sport and physical activity.

KESCAB is an Erasmus+ project led by TAFISA, with a consortium including ICSSPE, the Sports Union of Slovenia, España se Mueve, CNOSF, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the Knowledge Centre for Sport and Physical Activity Netherlands, the Portuguese Sports Confederation, and the Hungarian Leisure Sport Association.

Register Your Interest

Interested participants can register for the course in their preferred language:

English: Open Call for Interest: KESCAB Online Leadership Courses in Sport for All (EN) – [Fill in form]

French: Inscription: Cours en ligne de KESCAB sur le leadership dans le sport pour tous (FR) – [Fill in form]

Spanish: Inscripción: Cursos online del proyecto KESCAB sobre liderazgo en el deporte para todos (ES) – [Fill in form]

Portuguese: Inscrições: Cursos online de liderança da KESCAB no desporto para todos (PT) – [Fill in form]

Take the opportunity to develop your leadership skills and help advance Sport for All in your community.

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