from AAI website – Level 2 Coaching Course Meath
– Brendan Hackett to step down as Athletics Ireland CEO
– Second Athletics Leader Course for Kilkenny Level 2 Coaching Course Meath
The first level 2 course of the year will take place at the Claremont Stadium in Navan, Co Meath.
The course run in conjunction with the Meath Co. Board is for coaches who are experienced at Level 1 and are interested in coaching Junior or Senior athletes. The coach may choose 2 of 4 event groups between either Sprints and throws for Module 1 and for Module 2 Jumps or endurance i.e. for example a coach can choose sprints and jumps but not sprints and throws as they will be on side by side. The course will run over 5 Friday evenings and 1 full Saturday.
TO apply complete the application form below and return to Athletics Ireland 19 Northwood Court, Northwood Business Campus, Santry, Dublin 9
The timetable for the course is as follows
1st Feb 7PM to 10 PM
8th Feb 7PM to 10 PM
15th Feb 7PM to 10 PM
22nd Feb 7PM to 10 PM
29th Feb 7PM to 10 PM
8th March 9.30 AM to 5PM
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Brendan Hackett to step down as Athletics Ireland CEO
Athletics Ireland has announced that CEO Brendan Hackett informed the Board of Athletics Ireland last night that he will not be seeking a renewal of his contract as CEO. Hackett is in the final year of a three year contract.
Michael Heery, President of Athletics Ireland; “Athletics Ireland would like to thank Brendan for all the excellent work he has done over the past three years. He has overseen a very successful period in Irish athletics and we wish him all the best for the future.
“Athletics throughout the country is now as strong as it has ever been and it is a very exciting time for the sport. We will be sending a very strong and young team to Beijing in August and the talent coming through our youth system is excellent. With the Olympics taking place in London in four years this gives us something to build towards and the future is extremely bright for athletics in Ireland.
“Brendan has helped Athletics Ireland achieve its goals of moving the sport forward and now we hope that the appointment of a new CEO will again bring Irish athletics to a new level,” Heery concluded.
Hackett felt it was a good time to pass on the baton as Athletics Ireland and athletics in general is in good shape and there are exciting times ahead. “The next contract is likely to run to the end of 2012 and I am not in a position to make that commitment at the moment. I have enjoyed my term as CEO and I will still be involved in the sport for many years to come”, stated Hackett.
There have been significant changes in the structure of the Association and in the sport of athletics in the past couple of years. These changes include moving to new offices in Santry, additional sponsors coming on board and increased funding from the Irish Sports Council. There has also been a new Coach Education Programme established along with a new team of staff working within the Association.
Hackett believes that much of the work done is now beginning to bear fruit. “At international level we have 14 athletes in the top 50 on the world ranking lists. The Athletics Ireland High Performance Programme, supported by the Irish Sports Council, has contributed to this. Irish international teams at all levels are also performing well under the guidance of five excellent team managers. The development of the next generation of athletes is well advanced with over 500 of the country’s best young athletes engaged in a regional coaching programme”.
Hackett will continue in the position until the end of April. A new board and President will be appointed in April, while Athletics Ireland will now initiate the process for the appointment of a new CEO.
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Second Athletics Leader Course for Kilkenny
Following on from the success of the inaugural Athletics Leader course held in Kilkenny last year, Athletics Ireland are pleased to announce another opportunity for clubs and schools in Kilkenny and surrounding areas to qualify as Athletics Leaders.
The Athletic Leader course focuses on developing athleticism in young children through the introduction of the fundamental athletic movements –i.e. agility, balance and coordination. The course is aimed at providing parents, teachers, coaches & club members with the skills and tools to manage and lead a fun Athletics Programme for the 5 to 10 age group.
The content of the course includes;
• Group coaching skills
• Games to provide fun in developing fitness
• Practical sessions on running and agility, jumping and throwing.
• Developing an awareness of the growing child and the implications on fitness activities
• Planning an age appropriate session and program.
The course is delivered in a FUN and interactive manner and is just one day in duration.
Date: Saturday February 2nd 2008
Venue: Kilkenny College
Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Cost: €60 (includes course and materials)
Download application form here: Athletics Leader Course Application Form
(Application form with fees needs to be sent to Athletics Ireland by January 28th 2008)
Further information from Jacqui Stokes:
[email protected] (087) 2629950
Director of Development
Athletics Ireland
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Woodie’s DIY AAI Indoor Games
A big entry has been received for this weekend’s AAI Indoor Games Track & Field competition which takes place at Nenagh on Sunday.
Sunday’s competition will be an important form gauge for athletes who intend competing in the Woodie’s DIY National Indoor Track & Field Championships in the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on January 26/27th.
Competition in Nenagh starts at 11.30am and continues through the afternoon.
Among those entered for the 60 and 200 metres sprint svents is Niamh Whelan of Ferrybank who won a bronze medal at last year’s European Youth Olympics in Belgrade. Derval O’Rourke is also entered in the 60 metres event – her first competitive outing of 2008. The women’s 1,000 meters race also promises to be a closely contested event with Ferrybank A.C well represented by Ciara Cronin and Mary o’Connor and Laura Crowe of An Riocht also a leading contender.
There is another big entry in the men’s 1,000 metres where athletes like Feidhlim Kelly, (Raheny), Eugene O’Neill;, (Crusaders) , Conor Healy, (Clonliffe), Alan O’Brien, (Waterford) and Emmet Dunleavy, (Sligo) will all be hoping to make an early season impression.
Frank Greally
