The NFCA and the International Softball Federation (ISF), the governing body for softball in the world, have signed an agreement to take the National Fastpitch Coaches College program worldwide. 

Through the agreement, the ISF is endorsing the current U.S. program and will promote the U.S. courses to its 124 member countries in all parts of the world. In addition, the ISF will fund two to three international clinics a year at no cost to the participants. It is expected that the first international clinics will be held in September and October of this year. 

"Strengthening the coaching staffs of the national teams has become an important part of our commitment to helping our member federations develop more competitive teams for major ISF competition including the Olympics, World Championships, Regional Games and World Cups,” said ISF President Don Porter. “These International Coaches Colleges can only enhance those efforts and lead to better competition on the playing field.” 

Lacy Lee Baker, executive director of the NFCA, sees the endorsement as an honor and privilege for the NFCA. 

“We're looking forward to sharing the benefits of the NFCC program with international coaches,” said Baker. “NFCC Director Sharon Drysdale and the NFCC national coaching staff have already done a remarkable job in providing top-caliber coaching education to U.S. coaches. Expanding to other parts of the world will only enhance the current NFCC program.” 

Cindy Bristow, the ISF’s director of development, has been working for years to improve worldwide coaching knowledge. During her travels, which have taken her to 27 countries in the last three years, she has witnessed the need for more coaching education and sees the NFCA-ISF union as a win-win for all. 

“Based on the requests and feedback that regularly come in to the ISF from the national federations, I know this is something our members will take advantage of and benefit from. The NFCA’s track record in putting on the domestic courses will make it easier for us to present a strong knowledge base to the softball world,” said Bristow. 

The international clinics will vary slightly from the current NFCC U.S. courses, which generally cover one aspect of the game over two and a half days. International clinics probably will last five days and cover a variety of topics, including offensive & defensive strategies, practice planning, hitting, and pitching.