LEAD THE WAY
“Inside Elite Basketball: Learning from Bilbao Basket”
A 4-person delegation from Idrett For Alle traveled to Bilbao, Spain to learn from one of Europe’s top professional basketball environments through the Erasmus+ Sport programme.
About The Project
Empowering Sports for Everyone
This Erasmus+ Sport mobility project was created to give grassroots coaches, youth leaders, and sports practitioners from Idrett for Alle the opportunity to learn directly from elite professional basketball environments in Europe.
Through an international learning mobility in Bilbao, participants were able to observe and study the daily operations, coaching methodologies, leadership structures, and performance systems used by Bilbao Basket — one of Spain’s leading professional basketball clubs competing in the Liga ACB, widely regarded as one of the strongest domestic basketball leagues in the world.
The project was supported through the Erasmus+ Sport programme, which promotes international cooperation, lifelong learning, inclusion, and professional development through sport across Europe.
This project represents a growing commitment to international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and creating stronger pathways between grassroots sport and elite sporting environments across Europe.
Candidates
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
The participants were selected based on their experience in coaching, youth development, leadership, and community sport, as well as their motivation to grow professionally through international learning. Each participant brings a different perspective and skill set that contributes to the overall learning experience, with the aim of transferring the knowledge gained back into grassroots sport and local communities in Norway.
Experience
Follow the journey of our Erasmus+ mobility experience in Bilbao through daily reflections, training observations, cultural experiences, and behind-the-scenes access inside Bilbao Basket. From professional practice sessions and video analysis meetings to matchday preparation against Real Madrid Baloncesto, this timeline captures the learning moments, challenges, and experiences that shaped the project.
Training observations
Observe how professional coaches structure practices, manage intensity, and prepare players in an elite basketball environment.
1 on 1 coach discussions
Engage in direct conversations with coaches to discuss leadership, communication, and coaching philosophy
Video analysis sessions
Gain insight into how video breakdowns and tactical analysis are used to prepare teams and improve performance.
Game day operations
Learn how professional clubs coordinate logistics, staff roles, performance analysis, and team management on game day.
Match day Experience
Experience the preparation, atmosphere, and behind-the-scenes operations of a Liga ACB game day.
Cultural exchange
Explore the connection between sport, culture, and community through international collaboration and shared experiences in Bilbao.
Documentary / coming soon
Results & Outcomes
The Erasmus+ mobility experience in Bilbao provided participants with direct exposure to the daily operations, coaching methodologies, and performance environments of Bilbao Basket. Through training observations, video analysis sessions, coach discussions, and matchday experiences, participants gained valuable insight into how elite basketball organisations prepare, communicate, and operate at the highest level.
Key Outcomes
the development of new coaching knowledge and leadership perspectives that can be applied within grassroots and community sport environments in Norway. Participants strengthened their understanding of:
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player development
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coaching communication
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tactical preparation
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team culture
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performance analysis
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leadership in sport
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professional standards and routines
The project also strengthened intercultural understanding and international collaboration through the exchange of ideas, experiences, and coaching philosophies between Norway and Spain.
Beyond the professional learning experience, the mobility created long-term value for Idrett for Alle by helping build stronger international networks and opening new opportunities for future cooperation, youth exchanges, coach education initiatives, and Erasmus+ collaborations.
Knowledge application
The knowledge gained during the mobility will be transferred back into local communities through:
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grassroots basketball programmes
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school sports initiatives
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youth leadership workshops
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community coaching projects
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mentor development activities
The project demonstrated how international learning mobility can strengthen both individual development and community impact by connecting elite sporting environments with inclusive grassroots sport initiatives
Results
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Enhanced coaching and leadership knowledge
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Increased understanding of elite basketball environments
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Improved skills in communication and team management
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Greater insight into statistics and performance analysis
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Stronger international partnerships and collaboration
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New ideas and methods for grassroots sports development
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Increased confidence and professional growth among participants
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Valuable dissemination content for future education and community engagement
Partners & Supporters
