On Saturday, 8th November 2025, the Uganda Woodball Federation (UWbF) successfully conducted the National Woodball Level One Coaching Course at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in Kampala. The fully packed one-day program brought together 30 participants, including coaches, teachers, games tutors, club leaders, and sports enthusiasts from across the country—each eager to strengthen their coaching skills and contribute to grassroots development of the sport.
This landmark course is part of the Federation’s long-term agenda to expand coaching capacity in line with the International Woodball Federation (IWbF) guidelines and the newly structured National Woodball Coaches Training Pathway.
Purpose of the Course
The Level One Coaching Course is designed to equip beginner and community-level coaches with the essential technical and theoretical knowledge required to introduce and guide young athletes in woodball. It emphasizes foundational coaching concepts that ensure safety, discipline, and proper skill acquisition.
During the training, participants covered:
Woodball rules and regulations
Fundamental techniques (grip, stance, swing, putting, fairway play)
Game management and event organization
Use of official scorecards and recording procedures
Coaching ethics, communication, and athlete handling
Basic history and values of woodball
The course blended theory with extensive hands-on practice, enabling participants to directly apply what they learned under expert guidance.
Strengthening Uganda’s Coaching Pathway
The Federation also unveiled its revised Woodball Coaches Training Pathway—a structured approach to developing coaches from beginner to elite level. The pathway comprises four progressive tiers:
Level 1: Basic/Foundation Coach
Level 2: Intermediate/Advanced Coach
Level 3: National/Elite Coach
Level 4: International/Master Coach
This framework sets a professional standard for coach education, aligning Uganda’s coaching structure with international expectations and enhancing the quality of athlete development nationwide.
A Reflection on Woodball’s Journey in Uganda
As part of the training, participants were taken through the remarkable history of woodball in Uganda.
The sport was introduced in 2006 by Paul Mark Kayongo, who discovered it during a FISU–FASU seminar in China. After bringing home the first mallet, ball, and gate to Ndejje University, a pilot program began—leading to the sport’s official inauguration in 2008 through support from the International Woodball Federation.
Today, Uganda celebrates 17 years of structured development, showcasing tremendous growth in schools, clubs, and corporate institutions.
Achievements of the Course
The training recorded several positive outcomes:
Participants gained deeper understanding of the sport and improved coaching confidence.
Strong media presence amplified awareness of woodball activities.
Practical sessions ensured coaches could effectively teach and demonstrate techniques.
The course reinforced the Federation’s commitment to professionalizing the sport.
Each participant also underwent assessment through practice demonstrations and short quizzes before earning the UWbF Level One Coaching Certificate, valid for three years.
Appreciation
The Uganda Woodball Federation extends heartfelt appreciation to:
Makerere University Business School (MUBS) for hosting the course
All resource persons and facilitators
Media partners who provided wide coverage
The Government of Uganda through the National Council of Sports for continuous support
The Road Ahead
UWbF reaffirmed its commitment to expanding woodball capacity nationwide. The Federation plans to roll out additional coaching programs, junior competitions, and capacity-building initiatives under its new 10-year strategic plan.
With more trained coaches across regions, Uganda continues to strengthen its foundation for talent development—ensuring that every young athlete receives quality guidance, mentorship, and opportunity to excel.