A brief update on recent development activity in the west, and some upcoming activities to watch out for. On Wednesday November 24th a Fit4Life leader course was held in Ballina, Co. Mayo, with a strong turnout from Ballina AC and Mayo AC in particular. The Fit4Life Leader course is a three hour workshop aimed at equipping volunteers in the athletics club to take a leadership role in the clubs Fit4Life group.
Many thanks to Marion Mattimoe of Ballina AC who organised the venue and to Mayo Sports Partnership who supported the event. Twenty one club volunteers took part in the workshop and provided valuable input all evening, and all indications are that Fit4Life will continue to prosper in Co. Mayo.
Pictured at the Fit4Life Leaders Course which was hosted by Ballina Athetic Club in the Courthouse Hotel, Ballina recently were: Fromt left to right: Alan Adriff, Michelle Traynor, Evie Murphy, Helena Mitchell Ann Egan Ballina A/C and Collette Whelan, Mayo A/C. Middle row left to right: Anne Roynane, MSP, Kate McGarrity, Sharon Foody, Elizabeth Murphy, Tom Horkan, Sandra Finnerty, Louise Rogers, Ballina A/C, John Timothy and Mary Murphy Mayo A/C. Back row left to right: Margaret Roddy, Mayo A/C, Roger Barrett, Ballina A/C, P. J. Hall, Mayo A/C, Michael Canty & Philip Finnerty Ballina A/C and Paul McNamara, RDO Athletics Ireland
A similar workshop took place in Athenry on Wednesday November 10th with a strong turnout from Athenry AC and Loughrea AC. Fit4Life has been hugely successful in Galway, in particular in Athenry, Craughwell, GCH and Loughrea Athletic Clubs. The Galway County Sports Partnership have also provided valuable assistance to Fit4Life in Galway.
A successful ‘Assistant Coach’ course was held in Athlone IT on Tuesday October 26th and Tuesday November 2nd. There was a good turnout of coaches from Ferbane AC, AIT AC, St Ronan’s AC, Longford AC, GCH and Sligo Grammar School. The course was delivered by Paul McNamara and Mary Barrett.
Participants on the Assistant Coach course in Athlone IT.
Some relay work on the Assistant Coach course.
Mary Barrett takes paticipants through ‘take off’ on Assistant Coach course in AIT.
A second ‘Assistant Coach’ course was held in Loughrea and tutored by Mary Barrett on the 4th and 11th October. Again this course was very successful with 20 coaches in attendance. Many thanks to Mary for tutoring.
The first of the Connacht Development Squads for 2010/2011 was held in IT Sligo on Sunday November 7th with good numbers in attendance despite predicted stormy weather conditions. Nutritionist Ruth Kilcawley gave an excellent presentation on event day nutrition. The squad day was held alongside a Javelin workshop led by national event coach Bart Rogers which was well attended and received excellent feedback. Many thanks to Mary Barrett, Bart Rogers, Ruth Kilcawley and all the Connacht Squad coaches for their input on the day.
Particpants at javelin workshop on Nov 7th led by Bart Rogers.
Particpants at javelin workshop on Nov 7th led by Bart Rogers.
A cross country squad day was held in Dangan on Sunday October 10th with an excellent turnout from young athletes in the West Region. Many thanks to physiotherapist Jane Ann Healy who gave an excellent presentation on injury prevention and to all the endurance coaches who assisted on the day.
Unfortunately, the development squad scheduled for Sunday Dec 5th in Galway has been cancelled due to inclement weather.
Upcoming activities include …
Pole Vault workshop, Athlone IT, Sat Dec 11th, 11am
Assistant Coach Course, Achill Island, Sat Dec 11th, 9:30am
Level 1 Coaching Course, Ennis, 14th 15th 28th & 29th January
Level 2 Coaching Course, Athlone IT, 12th 13th Feb & 26th 27th Mar
For details on any of these activities contact Paul McNamara, [email protected], 0872693675
