43 of Ireland’s best junior and youth athletes experienced an unforgettable week at training camp in Alfa Mar, Portugal. The goal of the camp was to educate talented junior athletes on the steps that are needed to progress to senior international level. The athletes experienced a full international training camp sharing a track with the Russian and Latvian senior athletics teams. The athletes benefiting enormously from an experienced coaching staff who had a combined 10 appearances at Olympic Games including current international Olive Loughnane. The work continued off the track with inspirational talks and workshops covering areas such as, The inches for success Overcoming obstacles, and Transition to college. Kalyn Sheehan said “The week in Alfa Mar with all the athletes and staff provided me with the motivation and inspiration to approach the season ahead”. The facilities at Alfa Mar were fully availed of including the track, cross country course, gym and pool. Athletes who came to the camp with injuries were brought through intensive rehabilitation programmes to aid their recovery. Grainne Moggan said, “I learnt a huge amount about how to work hard in the gym and the pool, the medical team were superb in helping with my rehab programme.” There was a complete medical, physio and dietician support team for the athletes. The team provided workshops on supplements, core exercise, flexibility, blood screenings and even a cookery class! All athletes were screened by both medical and physio staff to ensure they were physically in shape. Camp Manager Gareth Devlin said, “These athletes are on the first rung of the high performance ladder, this week has showed the athletes where the next step is and how to get there.” Craig Murphy said, “The camp really helped me in my last minute preparations for the World Cross Country Championship in Edinburgh.” Director of Coaching Gary Ryan who is responsible for the junior high performance athletes said, “We have an exceptional group of talented young athletes who applied themselves in a most dedicated and professional manner for the week. Each of these athletes has the potential to progress to the highest international standard and this is as significant milestone on that journey.”