Bordering Italy, Croatia, Hungary & Austria, the small but progressive footballing nation that is Slovenia situated geographically around talented footballing hot-beds well known for producing some of the World’s greatest players is out-thinking other bigger nations. Although the three biggest domestic club sides situated within the country are Maribor, Mura and Olimpija, who dip in and out of European competition from year to year, it’s the national team sides across youth, senior men’s and women’s level that have put country on the map.
Football in Slovenia is governed by the Football Association of Slovenia (Nogometna zveza Slovenije). As a nation, they have only participated at international football as an independent nation since 1991, when the country gained independence from SFR Yugoslavia. Considering this, and the fact they are a relatively new football nation, Slovenia have already qualified for 2x FIFA World Cups, and the UEFA European Championship.
One such household name who has been a fundamental part of this is the legendary goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who is well-known from his exceptional displays for Atlético Madrid. Having helped put the Slovenian nation on the footballing map, we are starting to see more and more talents emerge, none other than the much talked about Benjamin Šeško who continues to make big strides on both the International and club stage.
As we look back in time to appreciate the players who came before, such as Boštjan Cesar who holds the record for Slovenian national team appearances (played 101 times between 2003 and 2018), and the much-revered Zlatko Zahovič who with 35 goals for Slovenia is the record goal scorer, there is much hype around the nation as club sides in the country continue to evolve and produce national team players.
Football development is more apparent in Slovenia than in most other smaller nations, with the commitment to expand the offerings around coach education and development across the nation growing. With the national association already achieving success with player development & the in-house coaching education program, and the women’s game, the Nogometna zveza Slovenije (NZS) are now looking to further advance their progress.
As a result of this thirst for knowledge within the country, an official collaboration & agreement between the Football Association of Slovenia & the globally renowned International Soccer Science and Performance Federation (ISSPF) to provide bespoke, online football coaching, sport science training courses & resources delivered by leading international academic & performance professionals has started.
The online football coaching courses are developed and delivered by some of the leading sport science and football coaching practitioners from associations & the elite level around the world: Liverpool FC, Manchester United FC, Ajax Amsterdam, Olympiakos, Boca Juniors, Chelsea, Trabzonspor, Besiktas, AS Monaco, Leicester City, SL Benfica, FC Rennes, Porto, England Football Association, Spanish Football Federation, Major League Football clubs and many more.
These specific courses are developed for coaches, football support staff, practitioners in sport, learners, and students from all levels of academic range, ability, and knowledge. The University accredited & Football Association of Slovenia endorsed courses provide content & insights into the workings of team sport performance coaching covering: Nutrition, Psychology & Mental Skills Training, Football Business & Sport Management, Youth & Athletic Development, Football & Team Sport Training Methodology, Load Management, Fitness & Conditioning Training, Tactical Analysis, Talent Identification, Goalkeeper Coaching Science & Injury Reduction & Return to Play.
Football associations around the globe fully appreciate the need to increase the number of quality coaches within their country ‘more coaches – better coaches’ in order to assist the next crop of talent ed players within the country to progress both in the domestic league and abroad which will subsequently enhance National Team performance and FIFA rankings. As a result, the importance being placed on coaching education and performance staff within the country has grown exponentially. As part of this progression within the Football Association of Slovenia, technical coaches, fitness coaches, sport scientists, physios or nutritionists aspiring to work at the elite, higher echelons of the game, playing their part in assisting the next generation of players.
In order to do so the requirements of needing to be familiar with nutrition, psychology, injury prevention, strength, training methodology and conditioning development.
The current Head of Coach Education for the Football Association of Slovenia Iztok Kavčič discussed how:
“The national association will recommend ISSPF and the excellent e-learning platform to all coaches and our students to up-grade some football specific coaching contents. We believe the ISSPF online courses are of a very high quality, highlighting a modern approach to football science assisting us to maximise the coaching development of all learners.”
“We will look forward to working with ISSPF and collaborating for the short & longer term period to educate our coaches further, and I am excited that the Football Association of Slovenia can contribute to the upskilling, development as well as applied football education and development in Slovenia”.
The coaching content & online courses provided with the partnership are open to almost anyone involved in sport, football, or any other industry with an interest to further educate themselves. The courses are specifically designed online to provide first-class performance insights, continued professional development, extended learning & additional qualifications for individuals with a thirst to learn more.
As a leading football coaching or soccer educational organisation, ISSPF is seen as the trusted partner of elite and youth football clubs, international federations, as well as colleges, universities, and training institutes worldwide.
An official statement on behalf of ISSPF confirmed the excitement of the agreement with the Nogometna zveza Slovenije, highlighting:
“We are delighted to secure the partnership with NZS, as they have shown to be a very modern, forward thinking & innovative football associations under the UEFA banner. ISSPF is extremely excited to play a fundamental part in the development of Slovenian coaches through football science & coaching content directly related to a country known for its love of the game. The opportunity to assist in the development of coaching, aimed at improving the level of all coaches, practitioners, students and learners with the Slovenian football family is something ISSPF are ready to for.”
“Making our bespoke courses available for Slovenian football coaches or other learners in the area is of paramount importance to ISSPF as a company, and engaging coaches to develop themselves further through football science & performance coaching courses will only assist their career prospects through the ISSPF provision. Our courses cover a range of coaching interests from grassroots, through to the elite professional coaching level so are available to all.”
This brand-new coaching educational partnership will provide unique and bespoke football specific modern education for all those wanting to upskill, and expand their knowledge of the game in all areas. All courses can be conducted whilst travelling or at home, at any time of the day, and are generated around the learning time frame of the individual with their unique online format.
Anyone wanting to find out more about the ISSPF online football coaching science courses, and the Football Association of Slovenia endorsed ISSPF courses or partnership, further information is provided via social media links here @ISSPFed or at www.ISSPF.com
