USA Fencing Gains Global Coaching Certifications with ICECP

Ola Shelton OLY and Jen Oldham were part of the ICECP coaching cohort who recently graduated from the 14th class of the ICECP at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland in April 2024. IOC President Bach presented their certificates.

The International Coaching Enrichment Certification Program (ICECP) is a joint endeavor between Olympic Solidarity, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) under the guidance of Abigail Tompkins, and the University of Delaware with Matt Robinson. This program inspires a global network of high performing coaches.

The ICECP program requires coaches to implement a tangible project benefiting their National Governing Bodies (NGBs). Alongside their extensive online and in person learning experiences, each coach undertakes a work-based development project. Shelton's project collected data to monitor and predict fencing performance as part of a holistic development plan. Below Coach Shelton is signing the Olympic Wall at the International Olympic Committee headquarters.

Coach Oldham's project was on creating pathways from Athlete to Coach with specific focus on women coaches. The USA Fencing community will be able to engage with both of these projects as they expand with The Athena Project Summer Camp. In addition to being a camp, coaching and leadership education will be integrated into a new approach for supporting coach development in the United States. Coaches interested in participating can reach out to jen@forgefencing.com and pre-register interest here. Campers can register as solo campers or with their team and coach.

The most defining moment of the Coaching into Leadership workshop was the coach's commitment to continue to impact sports policy, programs, and people. Coaches Shelton and Oldham both share their passion and commitment to growing fencing sport responsibly domestically and internationally.

We are deeply honored and proud to fulfill our mission, which involves supporting athletes and coaches with Team USA while connecting and promoting the Olympic movement globally.This journey has been incredibly rewarding and strengthened us more than we anticipated. While it presented numerous challenges, we were able to overcome them together through our friendship and new friendships abroad. Our aim was to elevate ourselves personally and professionally, as well as to contribute to the objectives of USA Fencing. We are grateful for the opportunity and support provided by USA Fencing, USOPC, the University of Delaware, and Olympic Solidarity. With deep appreciation - Ola and Jen

Photo credit to Christophe Moratal for graduation photos and Greg Martin for Olympic Wall Signing.