Two of the guiding lights of the European Aquatics Academy made key contributions to the 2026 Association of Sport Performance Centres (ASPC) EuropeanForum held for the first time at Portugal’s Rio Maior Sports Centre from September 23 to 25.
The 2026 ASPC European Forum was the latest in a series of events dedicated to high-performance sport, bringing together Europe’s leading high-performance centres, experts and decision-makers to discuss the future of elite sport.
Daniel Marinho, the European Aquatics Academy manager, addressed the gathering about the certification of training centres on the edge of EA accreditation.
Tiago Barbosa, chair of the EA Academy Commission, talked about the process of coaching education and certification under EA guidelines.
The event was jointly organised by the Rio Maior Sports Centre and the Portuguese Sports Foundation, with the institutional support of the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth, the Portuguese Olympic Committee, the Portuguese Paralympic Committee, Turismo do Alentejo e Ribatejo and the Municipality of Rio Maior, reflecting a strong national alignment and a shared commitment to the development of high-performance sport.
The Forum is designed as a space where experience, expertise and practice converge. It brings together decision-makers, performance directors, coaches, researchers and institutional leaders, fostering meaningful discussions that contribute to the evolution of high-performance sport in Europe.
Mike Rowbottom for European Aquatics
