06 October, 2025
Coach Webinar – The Power of Soft Skills in Coaching
On 2 October 2025, the IBU Academy hosted an international webinar for coaches titled “The Power of Soft Skills in Coaching,” exploring the importance of communication and leadership in coaching, featuring valuable insights and perspectives from experts, coaches and athletes.
Expert Presentations
The webinar featured four highly respected international speakers who shared valuable insights, best-practice examples, and personal experiences on one of the most essential skills in sport - leadership.
Sergio Lara-Bercial (Spain) outlined the essential skills and qualities needed to become successful coaches, highlighting the approaches that distinguish outstanding coaches.
Alf Koksvik (Norway) provided a thoughtful perspective on how to recognise and develop leadership competencies, offering core principles and guidance to enhance coaching performance.
Siegfried Mazet (France) shared candid reflections from his successful coaching career, including best practices, mistakes and lessons learned that helped shape him into one of biathlon’s top shooting coaches.
Susan Dunklee (USA) reflected on the leadership and communication skills that supported her as a world-class athlete and now guide her in coaching the next generation. She emphasized the importance of teamwork, collaboration, clear communication, and expressed her deep appreciation for coaches' dedication and effort.
Through engaging presentations and discussions, participants explored strategies and practical tips on how communication, leadership, and self-awareness shape coaching effectiveness and athlete development, gaining valuable insights into what makes great coaches stand out, both on and off the field.
“The webinar provided valuable insights and practical examples on how to navigate the role of a coach. It was truly valuable for everyone, regardless of their position and years of experience as it offered valuable tips and and practical tools to continuously grow and improve, both as coaches and as individuals,” said Gerold Sattlecker, Head of the IBU Academy.
Looking Ahead
As the biathlon community prepares for the upcoming season, the IBU Academy extends its best wishes to all coaches, athletes, and teams for a successful start. The Academy will continue to support professional growth and knowledge exchange through its Webinar series, with the next edition planned for spring 2026.
Please find all past webinar recordings on our e-learning platform, Learning Suite, here: LINK.