from A.A.I Last weekend was another extremely busy weekend for the Development team in terms of Regional Development Squads and events. The final Regional Development Squads for Dublin, Leinster and Munster were held on Saturday in Dublin, Tullamore and UL respectively. This turned out to be another very successful day and the young athletes once again benefited from the expert coaching available. The athletes who had attended three sessions received their squad t-shirts and spike bags. These were well received and will be proudly worn around the athletic venues this summer. There were 72 athletes in Dublin, 36 in Tullamore and over 100 turned out in Munster.
The coaches also received their jackets and they are due special praise for their excellent work and diligent coaching over the last number of months. They are a vital part of the squad and are performing a very valuable job in the development of our young athletes.
On Sunday the action moved to the St Patricks Festival in Dublin. A McDonalds Little Athletics Agility Challenge was organised by the Development team and was held in conjunction with the MSB 5k road race in the centre of Dublin
Molesworth Street was closed to traffic and the young people took over the street challenging themselves to complete each of the challenges. The series included standing long jumps, speed bounces, balance beam and shuttle runs over low obstacles. Many young children turned up with their parents and enjoyed trying athletics, which for many of them was a first taste of the sport.
Every young person who completed the challenge received a fruit bag and water from Ronald McDonald. There was a very colourful and fun atmosphere and the little athletics activities complemented the main activities of a very exciting 5k road race very well.
Up North, on Saturday Part 2 of the Ulster/NIreland Juvenile Indoors took place at Magherafelt.Over 600 competitors enjoyed a great days competition and a magnificent arena -the largest of its type in Europe. Part 2 of the All Ireland indoors will be held here on the 4/5th April.
In Letterkenny the Donegal team was fine tuning their preparations for the British Sportshall finals in Birmingham next weekend. The coaching team assembled 23 athletes on Sunday and the group is looking forward to performing in Birmingham.
The weekends activity was rounded off with over 40 participants taking part in a McDonalds agility challenge in Adamstown in Wexford