The German Basketball Federation (DBB) has become the first in Europe to officially recognize the FIBA Europe Coaching Certificate in its licensing system.

Coaches in Germany are required to obtain either an A or B license from the DBB in order to coach at the national level.  A refresher clinic is required every two years for the A license and every three years for the B license.

Starting in 2010 the FECC will be recognized by the DBB for the renewal of these licenses.

"Several National Federations have already integrated the FECC into their coaching education. It shows us that we are heading in the right direction, and I am very happy that the DBB is the first National Federation to officially recognize the FECC in their coaching licensing system," commented FIBA Europe Coaching Co-ordinator Michael Schwarz.

The FIBA Europe Coaching Certificate is a three year programme developed by FIBA Europe aimed at further educating coaches in the development of young talent.  It allows participants to follow the progress of youth players across three age categories as they attend an Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 tournament in progression. 

The first class graduated in the summer of 2009 at the U20 European Championship Men in Greece.  The top four graduates were given the opportunity to coach at the Champion U18 All Star Game in Katowice, Poland, which took place on the same court where Spain would eventually win their first EuroBasket title in September.

The second FECC class began in Kaunas, Lithuania in August at the U16 European Championship Men.  Those same students will be back in Lithuania (Vilnius this time) in the summer of 2010 to continue their studies at the U18 championships.