None 1) High Performance Squad For 2007/2008
2) Munster Regional Squad enjoys busy day in Limerick
3) Connacht Development Squad Off to A Great Start
4) Andy Norman R.I.P.
Athletics Ireland have updated their High Performance Squad for 2007/2008. There are now six athletes categorised as World Class / Contract based on the Irish Sports Council Criteria.
The has been a considerable number of Junior and Youth athletes added to the International Carding Scheme. This comes after excellent performances at events such as the European Youth Olympics Festival and the Celtic Games.
The wider Junior & Youth Achievers scheme for 2008 will be finalised by December. If athletes believe the have met the International Carding Criteria and are not on the below panel please contact Aoife Hoey at [email protected].
High Performance Squad for 2007/2008 (file attached)
In the below Standards Documents is outlined the Criteria Set down by the Irish Sports Council and Athletics Ireland.
Standards Documents:
Athletics Ireland Qualification Standards 2007 (files attached)
Irish Sports Council International Carding Scheme Document 2007 (file attached)
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Munster Regional Squad enjoys busy day in Limerick
The track at the University of Limerick was a hive of activity on Saturday last, October 20th with over 130 athletes taking part in the inaugural Munster Regional Squad session for the 2007/2008 season.
Athletes from all parts of Munster were invited to become part of the Munster Regional Squad based on their athletics performances in the past year in Munster.
Coaching was given to athletes in Shot Putt, Discus, Javelin, Hurdles, Sprints, High Jump, Long Jump, Middle Distance and Walks.
The Coaches delivering the sessions were very impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment shown by all the athletes in attendance.
The athletes had an opportunity to meet other people who take part in the same events as themselves in a less competitive environment, and also to ask questions of the Coaches present.
Many personal Coaches and Parents came along too to observe, and to avail of the opportunity to ask questions of the Coaches present.
Some Middle Distance athletes were unable to travel to the Squad session on this occasion as the Munster Cross-country championships for some of the age groups was scheduled for the next day, but many of these athletes have indicated that they are looking forward to joining in the Squad session next time.
It is planned that future Munster Regional Squad sessions will include technical coaching, conditioning advice and a Guest Speaker/Presenter.
The Munster Regional Squad will meet again on November 3rd in Cork IT and on November 24th in Nenagh and Castleisland.
Any queries with regard to the Munster Regional Squad should be sent to Jacqui Stokes, Director of Development, Athletics Ireland: [email protected]
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Connacht Development Squad Off to A Great Start
Close to one hundred of Connacht’s top young athletes came together in the facilities of IT Sligo this past Sunday, October 14th, for the first get together of the recently formed Connacht Development Squad. Athletes in the u14 to u19 age bracket who have shown a high level of performance in the last 12 months or so were invited to attend along with their club or school coaches.
Squad days are intended to bring athletes and their coaches together with their peers in a squad environment, to provide a focus for the athletes as they progress through the age groups, to supplement their existing training programs, and offer coach and athlete alike the opportunity to benefit from the differing perspectives of a variety of experienced coaches.
Connacht Head Coach Mary Barrett had assembled an excellent team of event coaches to work with the athletes and all disciplines were catered for. There were also many club coaches and parents in attendance who made an invaluable contribution to the day . IT Sligo proved an excellent venue for the occasion with ideal facilities and extremely helpful staff.
Eamon Harvey, Regional Development Officer for the Northwest, who has immense experience in the area of development squads, coaching juveniles, and team management, gave an excellent presentation to athletes, coaches and parents on the role of the club coach, the role of the squad, what athlete and coach must bring to the squad and how they can benefit. The presentation was also strongly motivational for all in attendance, focusing on the achievements of several local athletes, including Paul Hession, Colin Griffin and Olive Loughnane, and was very warmly received.
Initial feedback from athletes, coaches and parents in attendance has been very positive which is highly encouraging for the future of these Regional Squads. The next Connacht Squad day will be held in Galway RSC, Dangan on Sunday November 18th from 12:00 until 2:30pm.
Meanwhile, this weekend sees the first get together of the remaining provincial squads with Dublin, Leinster, Ulster and Munster Regional Development Squads assembling for the first time. Details on all of these squads elsewhere on www.athleticsireland.ie.
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Andy Norman R.I.P.
Andy Norman, a very good friend of Irish athletics, who died suddenly on his way home from the recent World Athletics Final in Stuttgart was buried last week after a private funeral. A memorial service in his honour is being organised and will be held shortly.
At the recent Calendar Conference for European Athletics in Malta the President of the EAA Hans Jorg Wirz paid a tribute to Andy for his contribution to the sport.
Andy worked as Promotions Officer for British Athletics during their golden era in the eighties and was probably the leading promoter in the world during that period.The list of athletes whom he managed included world figures like Steve Backley, Jonathon Edwards, Kelly Holmes, Linford Christie, Colin Jackson, Steve Ovett and Fatima Whitbread to whom he was married at the time of his death.
It was a contact with Chris Wall former international secretary that Andy became involved with Ireland.He helped enormously in identifying suitable competition for Irish teams. In recent times Andy became a manager to some Irish athletes including World Indoor hurdles champion Derval O’Rourke .
His passing leaves a huge gap in the sport. On behalf of the board of Athletics Ireland and all its athletes whom he helped we pass on our condolences to his family.
Liam Hennessy
Chair of High Performance
Athletics Ireland
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