The CoachingPlus project represents a significant endeavor to advance Montenegrin sports. The project focuses on researching and educating about positive coaching approaches to prevent dropouts from sports or exclusion for any reason. Implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ Sport program, the project is coordinated by the Montenegrin Olympic Committee (MOC) in collaboration with partners: Sport Innovation Hub from Spain, University G. d'Annunzio Chieti-Pescara from Italy, and the Center for Affirmation of Sports and Youth (CAMS). The project aims to promote new training methods that will make sports activities and environments more inclusive for youth from all social backgrounds and enhance the quality of training using positive methodology that can prevent dropout and reduce barriers to sports participation. The CoachingPlus project is one of only five projects funded through last year's Erasmus+ call for Capacity Building in sports. The project coordinator is the Montenegrin Olympic Committee. The project was presented by Maja Peković (MOC), Milorad Šutulović (CAMS), Dr. Markos Lopez Flores (Sport Innovation Hub), and Prof. Dr. Mauricio Bertolo (University G. d'Annunzio). "Sport has significant benefits for physical and mental health. Engaging in sports can be an excellent avenue for children and youth to develop their personalities and social skills, make friends, build character, and learn," said Maja Peković from the Montenegrin Olympic Committee. The project mainly focuses on minority groups, vulnerable groups, and individuals at risk of social exclusion. The aim is inclusion and creating opportunities for all youth to engage in sports activities actively. The project will also involve an analysis of the needs of Montenegrin coaches and athletes, and an evidence-based educational program addressing the needs of Montenegrin sports coaches will be defined. As part of the project, the Center for Promotion of Sports and Youth - CAMS will organize and oversee a mentoring camp for sports and youth. Through training, partner organizations and certified coaches will collectively define the schedule and activities during the camp, including various sports and educational activities. "This project will provide coaches of young athletes with innovative training methodology focused on pedagogy, non-discrimination, inclusion, exemplary behavior, and mentoring, which can make the sports experience more enjoyable for all athletes," added Peković. The presentation was attended by many representatives from Montenegrin national federations, Vladimir Obradović, State Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, representatives from the Ministry, and Miloš Antić from the Sports Secretariat of the Capital City of Podgorica. Consortium members also visited the Montenegrin Olympic Committee today, where they discussed this and future joint projects with the President, Dušan Simonović, focusing on projects related to the mental health protection of athletes.
