As part of the CoachCraft project, Darko Athletics team organized a hybrid seminar, held both online and in person, bringing together parents, athletes and coaches for an important discussion on the coaching process and the environment around young athletes. The original idea of the online seminar transforment into a hybrid on due to increased interest in in-person seminar, leading to a seminar, divided into first online and then in-person sessions.
The first part of the seminar included two important speakers with valuable experience in sport and coaching. Milena Mitkova, joined as a speaker from Spain, sharing insights connected to the role of coaches, the integration of young coaches, and the prevention of burnout in modern sport. From Bulgaria, Dimitar Tasev also took part as a speaker, contributing with his long experience in training children, managing a sports club, and working closely with young athletes and coaches.
Among the main topics discussed were the importance of proper training load in different age groups, the need for a balanced and healthy approach in the development of young athletes, and the risk of overtraining and burnout when this balance is missing. Special attention was also given to the role of parents in the training process. The seminar created space for an open discussion on how parents can support both children and coaches, but also how too much pressure, even with good intentions, can sometimes have a negative effect.It was a valuable and meaningful seminar that brought together different points of view and practical experience.
The second part of our CoachCraft seminar was focused on practice and real work on the field. This practical session was led by Iliyan Tasev, one of the top coaches of Darko Athletics Team, and was specially designed for young coaches and parents. The session introduced important topics such as recovery, injury prevention, warm-up exercises, and the right way to prepare children and young athletes for training.
A strong focus was placed on how to build good habits from an early age and how to prepare the body for a longer and healthier life in sport. Iliyan Tasev shared valuable practical and theoretical knowledge, useful exercises, and important advice based on real coaching experience. After the presentation, the session continued with a very good discussion, where participants exchanged opinions, asked questions, and shared their own experience. Through activities like this, CoachCraft continues to support better coaching, better understanding, and a healthier sports environment for the next generation.