Department of Theory and Methodology of Skiing, Golf, and Shooting Sports

Information about the Department

The Department of Theory and Methodology of Skiing, Golf, and Shooting Sports is the newest department at the Volga Region University. The Department of Theory and Methodology of Skiing was established in 2021 by a decision of the Academic Council. In 2023, the Academic Council decided to rename it the Department of Theory and Methodology of Skiing, Golf, and Shooting Sports.

During our time operating within the Department of Theory and Methodology of Cyclic Sports, we have trained over 130 qualified specialists in skiing disciplines.

We view our mission as training highly qualified specialists in skiing, golf, and shooting sports who possess up-to-date knowledge and professional competencies relevant to modern education and athletic training. Our work is grounded in a flexible approach and the use of modern educational technologies—including distance learning—to accommodate the demanding training and competition schedules of many of our students.

Our alumni include renowned athletes such as Honored Masters of Sport of Russia Andrey Larkov and Ulyana Kaisheva (biathlon); Master of Sport Khristina Matsokina; and Masters of Sport of International Class Sergey Ardashev, Yana Kirpichenko, and Milena Bykova (snowboarding).

Another integral component of the university's success is the practical orientation of its educational process. Our students are actively involved in the university's athletic life. The university team has twice won the All-Russian Winter Universiade and twice secured the team title at the Russian Student Cross-Country Skiing Championship. Four graduates participated in the 29th Winter Universiade in 2019.

Four students competed in the 30th Winter Universiade in 2021.

Currently, the department employs 19 faculty members (including 8 full-time staff). Among them are four Candidates of Sciences, one Professor, one Doctor of Sciences, and two Associate Professors. The core of the teaching staff consists of former athletes with extensive experience competing at the highest levels. Their ranks include an International Class Master of Sports, Honored Masters of Sports of the USSR and Russia, Masters of Sports of Russia, Honored Workers of Physical Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Russian Federation, and an Honored Coach of Russia. Highly qualified coaches and practitioners are actively involved in conducting training sessions.

The department conducts intensive research. Faculty members and students regularly publish research articles in journals indexed in Web of Science, Scopus, VAK, and RSCI, and actively participate in international and national conferences, congresses, and conventions. Among the major annual scientific events organized by the department is the session titled "Theoretical-Methodological, Psychological-Pedagogical, and Biomedical Aspects of Training Sports Reserves and Elite Skiing Athletes." This session is part of the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference with international participation—"Current Issues and Modern Trends in Sports Training for Cyclic Sports in Russia and Worldwide"—held in memory of Professor G.V. Tsyganov.

The department’s key partners and employers include the Cross-Country Skiing Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Biathlon Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Precision and Clay Shooting Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Golf Association of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Sports Training Center of the Republic of Tatarstan, the "Snow Leopard" (Snezhny Bars) Sports and Fitness Association (Kazan), the "Bars" Republican Sports School of Olympic Reserve for Winter Sports, the Republican Golf Sports School, and the Republican Sports School of Olympic Reserve for Clay and Precision Shooting.

Joint activities with employers include meetings, masterclasses, cultural events, and sports competitions. The department also collaborates with employers to organize educational and professional internships at sports schools and clubs.

The department’s student research activities aim to foster a culture of academic and scientific inquiry as well as professional self-awareness. Students regularly present papers at departmental and university student research group meetings, participate in conferences at various levels, and publish their work in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

University teams supervised by the department:

1. University Cross-Country Skiing Team
2. University Biathlon Team
3. University Golf Team