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The convention brought together coaches from 12 different countries, reflecting EBCA’s growing reach and influence across the continent. Notably, 23 of the attending coaches indicated interest in softball, demonstrating a clear appetite for cross-discipline learning and integration between baseball and softball development pathways.
For the first time, the EBCA Convention featured dedicated softball breakout sessions, marking an important step in strengthening cooperation and knowledge exchange between the two sports. The positive response from attendees highlighted the need for more softball-specific education opportunities and reinforced EBCA’s role as a unifying force for all coaches in the European baseball–softball community.
Record Number of Speakers and High-Value Networking
This year’s program showcased 11 speakers — the highest number ever at an EBCA event. From technical player development strategies to leadership sessions and modern training methods, the presentations delivered valuable insight for coaches at all levels.
A major highlight was the EBCA Partner Showcase, which included six exhibitors and vendors. The showcase attracted strong participation and facilitated promising new connections between coaches, clubs, and industry partners. Networking remained a cornerstone of the convention, with coaches engaging in productive discussions, sharing best practices, and building collaborations beyond the classroom.
A special moment of the convention was the presentation of the EBCA Coach of the Year 2025 Award to Jonathon Cramman (Great Britain).
Cramman earned the recognition through a vote by EBCA members and staff after a historic year as Head Coach of the Great Britain U23 National Team. Under his leadership, the squad captured their first-ever U23 European Championship gold medal, defeating the host nation in a dramatic final.
This victory not only brought unprecedented success to Great Britain but also secured the team’s qualification for the 2026 U23 World Cup in Nicaragua. The award acknowledges both his achievement and his long-term contribution to developing players and strengthening coaching standards in Europe.
Beyond the impressive numbers and milestones, the true success of the EBCA Convention lay in the atmosphere of collaboration and community. Coaches from across Europe came together to learn, share, and inspire one another — strengthening the coaching network that drives the growth of baseball and softball at every level.
More information about speakers, sessions, and program details can be found on the EBCA website. Additional internal documentation is available to staff members through the newly activated access portal, currently being updated.
Looking ahead, the unification of baseball and softball continues to progress and is expected to be fully realized in the near future. As part of this evolution, EBCA will move forward under its new name — EBSCA (European Baseball & Softball Coaches Association) — reflecting the shared identity and joint future of both sports. The next EBSCA Convention is already scheduled for early February 2027 in Zagreb, where coaches from across Europe will once again gather to learn, connect, and shape the future of our game together.
