This policy-oriented review addresses the fragmented and under-regulated state of coaching education in the Philippines. Despite growing international sporting success, the absence of a national framework has led to inconsistent certification standards, limited access to continuing professional development, and inequitable career pathways for coaches. Using a structured literature review and comparative policy analysis of international models, the study proposes a National Coaching Education Framework (NCEF) featuring tiered certification, mandatory CPD, and ethical safeguards to professionalize coaching and align it with global standards
Research Question
How can the fragmentation, lack of standardization, and gaps in coach education in the Philippines be addressed through the development of a unified national framework for coach training?
Connection to the Coaching World
The article addresses the core of the coaching profession: training, professional accountability, continuous development, and ethics. It emphasizes that high-quality coaching is not solely a product of experience, but of a structured system that integrates scientific knowledge, professional supervision, continuous learning, and quality control mechanisms. In the broader coaching context, the research demonstrates how national frameworks directly influence the quality of coaching, athlete well-being, and the recognition of coaching as a professional career.
Significance and Innovation
The significance of this research lies in it being the first to offer a comprehensive and structured policy analysis of coach education in the Philippines. Its primary innovation is the proposal of a concrete national framework, tailored to the context of a developing nation, which bridges international standards with considerations of accessibility, equity, and local context. The research particularly highlights the integration of ethics, athlete safeguarding, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as a mandatory foundation at all levels of coaching.
Research Method and Data
The research is based on a qualitative-policy approach:
- A systematic review of academic literature (2013–2025).
- An analysis of policy documents and institutional materials.
- A comparative study of international national frameworks (NCCP – Canada, UKCC – UK, CCE – Singapore).
- A thematic analysis used to formulate recommendations and a framework model.
- Note: No primary empirical data (interviews/surveys) were collected.
Main Findings
- Fragmentation and lack of standardization in coach education across various governing bodies.
- Absence of mandatory requirements for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Regional and economic accessibility gaps, particularly in peripheral areas.
- A disconnect between academic training and applied practice.
- An urgent need for professionalization, occupational recognition, and economic stability for coaches.
- The proposed National Coaching Education Framework (NCEF) serves as a comprehensive, tiered, and ethics-based solution.
Unified Citation
Balore, J. J. N., Suniga, J. P. C., & Jurek, J. M. (2025). Coaching without a compass: Why the Philippines needs a national framework for coaching education. Tanjungpura Journal of Coaching Research, 3(3), 232–244.