The American Samoa basketball association is pleased to announce that national coach, Diehl Langkilde, has been selected to attend the international coaching apprenticeship in basketball (ICAB) program at the University of Delaware from October 12^th to November 14^th. Langkilde who was part of the international coaching enrichment certification program (ICECP) in 2011 and completed the course was nominated by FIBA Oceania with another coach from Fiji to attend the course. However, Langkilde will be the only coach representing the Oceania region. “This is an exciting time for me because there is so much going on with the basketball association. Working with Milton and the board to really develop and fine tune our sport and our federation is amazing work. I’m excited for the opportunity to return back to Delaware and continue to work” said Langkilde. The ICAB is fully managed by the University of Delaware and the United States Olympic committee USOC. The program is supported by FIBA/WABC (World Association of Basketball Coaches) and Olympic Solidarity (IOC).

The program is headed by Dr. Matthew Robinson, Director of Sport Research for the Center for Applied Business and Economics Research (CABER ), Chairman of the Delaware Sport Commission, and
Professor of Sport Management in UD’s Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. Dr. Robinson serves as co-director and was responsible for the
development of the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP) in partnership with the USOC and Olympic Solidarity. He also serves as Director of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Advanced Director of Coaching Certificate program. Carolina Bayón is the Director of International Cooperation and Policy for the USOC and was responsible for the development of the ICECP program in partnership with Olympic Solidarity and UD. Prior to joining the USOC, Ms. Bayón was responsible for the NOC Management
Programs at Olympic Solidarity in Lausanne. She formerly worked for the Sydney and Salt Lake Organizing Committees.

Langkilde will be undergoing intensive training. The International Coaching Apprenticeship in Basketball (ICAB) program is an intensive coaches’ education training course that consists of three modules:

Module One consists of a four-day coaching development seminar at the University of Delaware that will focus upon: the American Intercollegiate Sport Environment, American Basketball Development Model, Basketball Performance Analysis and evaluation; Personal and Team Development Planning; Athlete Development and Talent Identification; Management and Leadership of a Team and Program.

Module Two consists of a four-week apprenticeship with a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men’s and or women’s basketball program. This module will provide the opportunity for the candidate to shadow, observe and interact with the coaching staff of that program. NCAA rules prohibit the participants from training the players.

Langkilde will maintain a log on the experience, execute several assigned projects, participate in a weekly online seminar and develop a presentation on how they plan on implementing ideas from the experience into their coaching and team development when they return to their country.

Activities will include:

• Observing team and individual training and practice sessions as well as strength and conditioning sessions.

• Being on or near the bench during scrimmages and contests to observe timeouts and halftime talks.

• Preparing a scouting report for an upcoming opponent.

• Conducting statistical analysis of practice and or game for the team.

• Traveling to at least one away contest with the team.

• Shadowing members of coaching staff in those activities/responsibilities away from training that would be deemed appropriate. (e.g., staff meetings, video breakdown sessions, press conferences, recruit visits, speaking engagements with external groups, etc.).

• Interacting and discussing sport specific coaching topics with staff. (e.g., chalk talk on strategy, scouting of competition, tape breakdown, talent identification strategies, practice planning).

• Participating in coaching development opportunities away from the site (e.g., coaching clinics, site visit to grassroots basketball initiatives, visit to high school sport setting, competitions, other knowledgeable coaches).

Module Three consists of a two-day seminar for participants to share experiences and each will present how they plan on incorporating the information gathered to enhance their coaching skills, as well as their program and teams.

FIBA Oceania praises the efforts of the American Samoa Basketball Associations efforts of being proactive in development of basketball under the leadership of Milton Taufa’asau with the visitation of FIBA Oceania sports director David Crocker, Sports Development manager Annie La Fleur, annual basketball clinics & tournaments, training for officials and recently returning from Papua New Guinea with the women’s national team with the Silver medal. Langkilde who was part of that group was the assistant coach for men’s team under head coach Samoa Samoa. “This was my second opportunity to coach in that capacity to learn and understand the different coaching aspects and philosophy. I’ve learned a lot from the previous coaches and still continue to learn in hopes to better my ability to coach at the national level” said Langkilde.

Langkilde who has been active within the basketball association as a coach stemming back to 2006 in Fagaloa with the Leloaloa basketball team to coaching the U19 national team in 2010 & 2014 and being an assistant coach in 2011 & 2015. He’s also coaching high school basketball for the Fa’asao Marist high school team since 2009 and also holds a position within the American Samoa basketball association as vice president. “My goal is not only to use the training into development for the athletes in all areas, but to pass along the knowledge to coaches who are interested in becoming national level coaches. I won’t be coaching forever and in hopes that one day I’ve accomplished my goals and that the next coach is ready to carry on where we left off. I’m fortunate as well to the ASNOC for also assisting and allowing me to do my work within our national federations and to get their support is amazing. The basketball association is always working and continues to work behind the scenes to better our sport for all of our athletes as it moves forward from grassroots to elite level of basketball. I like to thank FIBA for nominating myself and believing in my work ethic on the court and my preparations as a coach. The American Samoa National Olympic Committee for supporting me & our federation to develop basketball in the territory and being proactive and ethical in everything they do. The American Samoa Basketball Association for being huge supporters towards our athletes from youngest athletes to the seasonal player and for always believing that basketball never stops and that we will always move forward. Lastly, my family who are always by my side and pushing me to be better that I am now.” commented Langkilde.

Langkilde will be departing the territory on Friday October 9^th and will fly to Philadelphia and transferred to the University of Delaware where he will begin his training for the next month and a half. ASBA wishes him the best of the luck and looks forward to his return to American Samoa.