CORNWALL COUNTY AA COACHING

DECEMBER 2005 NEWSLETTER 

 

SOUTH WEST REGIONAL COACHES MEETING 14/11/05 EXETER

A representative from each of the seven counties in the region were present, this included Gloucestershire and Avon for the first time. The interim regional chairman, Nigel Rowe, was present.(The full appointment will come via elections next year). A submission has been made for two regional coaches; one for speed/power development with a possibility of sharing the cost and services with rugby and soccer, and another for endurance with a shared interest from triathlon. Both posts will be advertised when the details are finalised.

From 1^st January there will be a new system for Level 2 coaches (therefore new application forms). Level 1 is due to include a higher technical content and be spread over two days. The changes to the structure are to help brig us in line with the National Coaching Certificate.

The Level 3 strength and conditioning course on 4^th/5^th March, probably at Ivybridge, is filling up rapidly. If you want it, ring Bill Whistlecroft on 10935 422646.

If anybody has a particular interest in any other type of course, contact either Bill Whistlecroft or myself.

            The subject of athletes moving between coaches was discussed, as this is something many coaches are reluctant to do It was emphasised that coaches should not obstruct athletes moving between coaches for either specific training or for training with more advanced athletes. After all, there is no doubt we are loosing athletes to other sports, and perhaps this is due to stagnation. Athletes are members of a club or school, not the property of a specific coach. We do not control their entire athleticism as, for example, we have no idea what they do during school games lessons or on weekend soccer or hockey matches. Since younger athletes might be afraid to ask, I suggest clubs put a notice on their board to this effect. I shall try to add an idea at the end of this newsletter.

            I put in a request for Ken Holmes, the SW throws coach to come to Cornwall, and perhaps we could utilize other regional coaches. The meeting gives the opportunity to swap ideas of what each county is doing. I noted that Gloucestershire have now started a Target 2012 squad, while Somerset have a big squad selection day in mid September that attracts about 300 athletes.

Squad residential weekends at Bath, Yeovil or Millfield could be a possibility. Is anybody

interested? I need feedback to get some ideas of the level of interest before Sonya pursues costing

etc. It could be good. Arrive Friday night, train twice on Saturday and once on Sunday. I NEED

YOUR OPINION, IF NOT FOR THIS YEAR, THEN NEXT YEAR.                          

CRB CHECKS for anybody coaching athletes under the age of 16 years. If you have not

received any communication from UKA then telephone 0870 9090844 and quote 22525500000 to say you are a volunteer and require an enhanced check. The service is free. They will send you a form which you complete and give to your club verifier, with a photograph, or somebody of standing, rather like a passport, who can vouch for who you are. The UKA address, by the way is not Birmingham, as shown on some literature, but Athletic House, Central Boulevard, Blythe Valley Park, Solihull, West Midlands B90 8AJ. PLEASE read the leaflet that comes with the form.

            Licence renewal. If you have not done this already then it is time you did. As from the end of August, those who did not renew are not covered by UKA insurance.

GOOD PRACTICE AND CHILD PREVENTION. A 3 hour workshop will be held at the Hub Centre, Carn Brea on 11^th January at the remarkably cheap price of £5 instead of £22. Contact the Hub Club Manager, James Bennett on 01209 722032 or 07989 582111

COURSES AT MOUNTS BAY SPORTS COLLEGE, PENZANCE.

The centre manager, David Tremaine, informs me they are holding the following workshops

10^th December: Endurance.        13^th May 06 Children in Athletics            2^nd September Level 1

CIRCUIT TRAINING. Following the successful course and feedback from the course in Grampound I am now looking at the possibility of doing a similar workshop in the Tamar region.

FROM THE RECENT COUNTY ASSOCIATION MEETING.

The format of the Cornwall Open T & F Series was discussed until it was realised that a great deal of time and thought was required, therefore a specific meeting will be held at the Summercourt Memorial Hall on Monday 23rd January from 7pm. There is no doubt that long waiting periods of several hours between some athletes events can lead to them opting not to wait, and there is a necessity to make the series more attractive to older athletes. Larry Garnham made a working suggestion which may not suit everybody, but it is a base to start from. Any ideas can be brought along or forwarded to the county secretary, Linda Mark on rolandandlinda@btopenworld.com or by post to 97 Old Roselyan Road, St Blazey, PL24 2LN

Carn Brea is to have a £100 000 refit and Kerrier have agreed to a 5 year management contract. (Does this mean keeping the horses out, I wonder)

First Aid kits. The county association is to purchase 3 kits for use on county squad training days and for away competitions.

Officials. 23 people took their T & F officials exams recently

Athletes financial support. The county discussed ways of helping athletes whose progress may be arrested due to financial restraints, possibly from a ‘pot.’ There are other funds that may be of help, but it requires you, the coach, to ask your chairman or rep on the county committee.

SOUTH WEST COACHING DEVELOPMENT PLAN

This covers the immediate period and runs to several pages. It can be viewed on www.southwestathletics.com or I have an abbreviated version if anybody wants a copy

USEFUL WEBSITES For marathon runners www.aims-association.org The distance runners magazine can be contacted on DRunMag@aol.com; and there is www.britishmilersclub.com; The IAAF are on www.iaaf.org and www.brianmac.demon.co.uk is a coaching website. Also, for testing, have a look at www.topendsports.com/testing/tests and not forgetting www.cornwallroadrunning.co.uk that includes information on all aspects of athletics in the county.. More websites next month

Par track on the Saturday following the ‘big snow’. Picture courtesy of Ken Brown. (or was it Liz?). County

Squad and 2012 was cancelled on that day, but in fact Gwithian Towans were bathed in warm sunshine and there was not a drop of snow anywhere. Both groups start winter training again on 7^th January meeting at the Crantock car park, 10am Separate training to avoid cross cou7ntry fixtures is arranged for middle distance runners.

POOLAR POWDER This product of ice bags that mould to the joint and require no lining between bag and skin, was advertised I AW this month. However, they omitted the cost. Small ones are £5.99 and large £8.99 from www.polarpowder.com

TESTING DAY AT CORNWALL COLLEGE. This proved to be a success, with people travelling from as far away as Launceston. After some discussion on what can affect performance the group of 22 split up to experience treadmill (VO2max) testing and the others did body mass index, fat, hydration levels, etc. The interest leads me to think that from January I shall try to include some forms of testing with each newsletter.

STRENGTH TRAINING There are at least two groups now carrying out strength training. I encourage any athlete from mid 14’s onwards to go to a gym. The first year is really getting to know the equipment and the regime, it is only in successive years that they are going to get serious.

 

          A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL. SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR

Tony Lett 01209 891101 tony.lett1@btopenworld.com