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Let’s help talent flourish.

The conference for sports coaches, known collectively as MOSTY, has become a traditional opportunity for those who take their work with youth, adult athletes, and groups of all types and sizes—as well as individuals—seriously to expand their knowledge and expertise. The subtitle of the most recent conference, which took place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the Columna Congress Center in Prague, was particularly intriguing: “Let Talent Grow.” The panelists included well-known figures from abroad, such as Chus Mateo, head coach of Real Madrid’s basketball team, as well as domestic experts, including Patrik Augusta (ice hockey, Sparta Prague), Martin Vlk (soccer, Slavia Prague), and others. The conference allowed attendees not only to talk with colleagues from the Czech Olympic Committee’s Coaching Academy and share some recent experiences with them, but also with some of the speakers. An interesting and highly inspiring segment was Zdeněk Haník’s podcast-style interview with psychologist Jiří Plamínek, whose approach addressed almost exactly the questions we repeatedly ask ourselves in curling. And it wasn’t just about talent, but about youth in general. Above all, the section regarding the establishment of rules for the functioning of the collective in which a coach works with their charges—involving the club, the sports federation, parents, and other external elements—was very thought-provoking. It’s a shame that more than just one Czech curling coach found the time to attend. There aren’t many opportunities to expand one’s knowledge in a condensed yet accessible format, and it’s a shame that curling coaches aren’t taking advantage of this offer. Such exchanges allow us to learn how other sports approach the role of a sports coach. And curling shouldn’t reject or overlook advice from those with more experience.

photo: Chus Mateo