Regional Junior Endurance Performance Squads 2017-2018

Athletics Ireland is pleased to announce the roll out of the 2nd season of the Regional Junior Endurance Performance Squads starting in September. This initiative is being led by Steve Macklin National Junior Endurance Coach Athletics Ireland and a team of regional endurance coaches with the aim to further enhance the development of endurance running in the country. We would also like to acknowledge the kind support from Affidea Ireland and CEO Tom Finn towards the AAI endurance programme.

An added benefit to this years squads is the inclusion of some of our senior international endurance athletes attending in a mentor capacity. Among those confirming their availability so far to support the squads are Kevin Seaward, Mark Christie, David McCarthy, Paul Robinson, Kerry O Flaherty, Mary Cullen, Ciara Mageean, Breege Connolly and Shona Heaslip. This is an exciting new addition to the squad structure.

Key aspects of the performance squads will include the following:

• Weekend Training Camps for athletes & their personal coaches
• Educational workshops incorporating key areas such as S&C, Sports Psychology, Nutrition & Hydration, Planning, Goal Setting, Lifestyle, Biomechanics
• A strong training emphasis at these camps with athletes working together in groups
• A chance for personal coaches and lead coaches to interact and share training ideas
• Regular communication re development & high performance initiatives and competitions
• Mentoring support for personal coaches through the lead coaches & National Junior Endurance Coach
• All registered members of the squads will receive a branded long sleeve top

The following are the dates & venues for the first set of camps:

Sep 15th-17th: Munster Squad Camp Banna Beach Co Kerry
Sep 15th-17th: Leinster Squad Camp Gormanston
Sep 16th Ulster: Squad Day, Greenmount CAFRE Campus Antrim (Details to be released by NI Athletics contact Allister Woods at allister@athleticsni.org for further details)
Sep 22nd-24th: Connacht Squad Camp Killary Co Mayo

Please find attached the list of selected athletes for these camps in alphabetical order for each region. The criteria for selection is also attached below, please note this differs according to each province to allow for manageable numbers. The camp numbers must be capped to have enough accommodation to cater for everyone and also to keep the quality of the coaching to a high level. There will inevitably be people disappointed not to be selected but we ask that coaches/athletes/parents respect the selection process. Only athletes named on the selection lists may register at the following links:

Munster: https://events.athleticsireland.ie/ps/event/MunsterJuniorEndurancePerformanceSquad20172018
Leinster: https://events.athleticsireland.ie/ps/event/LeinsterJuniorEndurancePerformanceSquad20172018
Connacht: https://events.athleticsireland.ie/ps/event/ConnachtJuniorEndurancePerformanceSquad20172018

Selection Criteria: Click HERE

Selected Athletes: Click HERE

All selected athletes must now go to the links above and register their place on the squads by Friday 28th July. Please make sure you register for the correct province. Any athlete that hasn’t registered at this point may be replaced by the athletes on the reserve list. We would very much appreciate peoples support on making sure this registration process is done quickly and the full details requested are filled in. The registration cost is €20 per athlete to confirm their place on the squad (Please note there will also be a cost of roughly €40-€50 per weekend camp, there will be two camps in total). Following this the head coaches from each region will then communicate all details regarding the first camp with the personal coaches/athletes/parents via group e mail. Please ensure that the athlete’s e mail, a parent’s e mail and the coach’s email are provided on the registration form.

Any queries should be directed to the National Junior Endurance Coach Steve Macklin at stevenmacklin@athleticsireland.ie.