JOHANNESBURG, Monday, 29 June 2009: Athletics South Africa (ASA) is hosting two coaching courses which started yesterday and will run until 11 July 2009, as part of its commitment to develop top level coaches in the country.    The IAAF level II and III Coaches Courses are currently under way at the Bekker High School in Magaliesberg.  The courses are conducted by experienced coaches in Magda Botha and Satrick Bampton from Namibia who are in charge of the level III component, whereas Lux Gordhan and Elna de Beer are responsible for the Level II. All of them are IAAF accredited course lecturers. The Level II course is an equivalent of the former IAAF Level I CECS course and covers a general scope of coaching. The level III course is a speciality programme that focuses on coaches who are already coaching athletes in Sprints & Hurdles. Forty four ASA coaches from around the country with relevant credentials, and who have produced athletes at both provincial and National levels are in attendance at the course. It is hoped that the coaches will take back the new skills that they will learn at the course to assist the provinces in identifying talented athletes and assisting them to come through the ranks of the sport. . “More specialised courses will follow later in the year and early next year to cover other areas of middle & long distances, Throws and Jumps in order to give our coaches opportunities to upgrade themselves. ASA has in the past qualified a lot of coaches in the then IAAF level I and it is only natural to assist them in developing their skills further. All these efforts are taken to ensure that the coaches can be able to match their athletes growth and stay with them for a long period as part of realising the long term athlete development”, added the General Manager.