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The 15th ICCE Global Coach Conference 2025, held at the Eugenides Foundation in Athens from 20-23 November 2025, brought together coaches, coach-developers, researchers, sports scientists, technical directors and sports administrators from around the world. The event was organised jointly by the Hellenic Federation of Sports Coaches & Trainers (POPA) and the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE).
The conference theme — “The Coach in a fast-advancing technological society: Developing skills for 2030 and beyond” — drove discussions on how coaching is evolving in an era of AI, virtual tools, e-sports and changing athlete-coach relationships.
The conference featured a comprehensive programme covering key thematic streams including:
– Ethical dilemmas in coaching
– Professionalisation of coaching
– AI, technology and coaching
– New developments in coaching / coach development & practice
The conference brought together over 400 delegates and 200 speakers from across the globe, marking one of the most influential gatherings in the event’s history. Coaches, researchers, sports scientists, technical directors and sport leaders convened for four days of knowledge sharing, innovation and strategic collaboration. The programme included keynote sessions from:
- Elizabeth Pike — Professor and Head of the Institute of Sport, University of Hertfordshire.
- Anne Merklinger — CEO of Own the Podium (Canada)
- George Mavrotas — Secretary General of Sport, Hellenic Republic
- Diane M. Culver — Full Professor, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa
- Stiliani “Ani” Chroni — Professor, Sport Psychology & Coaching, University of Inland Norway
- Hally Chapman — National Talent Identification and Women’s Lead Coach, New South Wales, Australia
- Chrissa Biskitzi OLY — Olympian rower, Greek national; coach and sports leader
- Kris Van Der Haegen — Head of Coach Development (UEFA)
- Lorraine Lafrenière — CEO, Coaching Association of Canada (CAC)
- Sofia Papadopoulou OLY — Olympic bronze medallist (sailing), Greek Air Force officer, founder of Women in Sailing – Greece.
- Magda Georgiou — Former basketball player & coach from Athens, advocate for gender equality in sport
- Giovani Postiglione — Head Coach HRF, Italian rowing coach with extensive international record.
We would like to thank the Research Committee for their part in helping construct a fantastic programme of breakout sessions, and to all the authors for their oral and poster presentations which added great value to the four days.
The event generated several landmark developments for the international coaching community:
- Election of the new ICCE President, Ms. Lorraine Lafrenière (CEO, Coaching Association of Canada).
- Unveiling of the CORE Initiative (Coaches Organising for Rights and Excellence)—a major new framework for global coach advocacy.
- Official ICCE Flag Handover to Wellington, New Zealand, host of the 16th Global Coach Conference in 2027.
