CORNWALL COUNTY AA COACHING
Just in case you were
wondering, there was no February newsletter.
2012 and COUNTY SQUAD Attendance for these
coaching sessions has fluctuated, which makes me think we should have another
look at the format before next winter, with all coaches being invited to make
an input. One thing is for sure, the 2012 element will drop to those with real
potential, look towards higher levels of coaching that we are currently
achieving, and in cooperation with the South West Potential Squad.
TRACK AND FIELD COACHING
DATES
12th March at Par
will again feature George Eccles from Devon, who is already making inroads into
the standard of javelin throwing in the county. He will be back again at Par on
the 8th April for a day of coaching prior to the first
Cornwall warm up meeting on the following day. This will provide an ideal
opportunity for athletes of any standard to brush up on their hurdling
technique, iron out any faults in their throwing and jumping, and get some
practice with a starters gun. Midlands High Jump coach, Mike Dalby will be on
hand, having just returned from the Commonwealth Games. He will conduct a
novice session in the morning and another in the afternoon for athletes who are
already jumping over 1.4m. Some of you may remember the successful course he
ran two years ago.
In addition, there will be
race walking, because it becomes a point scoring event in the SW league and
will be included in the county schools competition.
COUNTY AGM Nothing outstanding to
report.
STRENGTH TRAINING. Although it is too late to
start for this winter, it was interesting to note in the West Briton interview
with Jemma Simpson (N & P International 800m runner) that she attributes
her return to excellent form to doing weight training while she was injured. AW
recently showed Paula Radcliffe exercising with weights, and Robert Tobin, the
recent 400m runner to spring to prominence, also attributes success to weights,
along with Jason Gardener and many more. Weight training of some description
can begin from age 14, as Emma Nightingale will tell you, having started this
year and cleared a pb at the indoor competition last month. So start planning
now for 2006-07 For inspiration look on www.ukathletics.net.uk-Performance-Strengthandconditioning
by Calvin Morriss. Also look at the Development and Training programme.
WEBSITES www.british-athletics.co.uk ,
or www.clubfinder.org.uk
if you are moving out of the county. A good site for teenage Olympic hopefuls,
complete with chat room, is www. gbap.co.uk that started life as uk orientated
and has developed an international element.
WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE TOP?
The revamp of UKA is currently going on, and from a
T & F point of view, five ex athletes in five disciplines (jumps, throws,
sprints/power, distance, multi-events) have been appointed to work with a
committee for which the UKA recently advertised for chairmen. These committee’s
will draw up a national template for coaching that will be mirrored to the
regions, and eventually the counties, with flexibility to suit conditions.
REGIONALLY. Discussions took place at a
meeting in Truro County Hall on 27th February, to which every club
was invited, (but not all attended), regarding the future development of the
South West, which now includes Avon and Gloucester. The regional interim
chairman, Nigel Rowe, and Regional Manager Sonya Ellis (no longer the development
officer). Outlined the plan which should start to be effective from April, and
hopefully be completed by June, but in the interest of getting it right, there
is no definite completion date.
Two Performance Co-ordinators will be appointed, who
will work with sub groups for Road Running, Cross Country, Track and Field etc.
who will form a Regional Skills Board of 5 members who will be drawn from
across the region and not specifically by county representation. There will
also be a SW Structure Board of County reps elected by the clubs for
officiating, coaching, road running etc. The latter two have already been in
existence for the past year, for which I have represented you and the county on
the coaching group. NEXT MEETING 20TH MARCH. ANY IDEAS, LET ME KNOW?
Cornwall Sports Partnership who are growing close to the
end of their first five-year plan, have as yet, no guarantee of continued
funding, which is why Jacky Brett’’s job has not been re-advertised, but it is
anticipated that future funding for development is most likely to be directed
through them. www.cornwallsportspartnership.co.uk
Development will continue with making
the sport more attractive to people, with more athletes, coaches and officials.
A greater link between schools and clubs will be a priority, raising standards
and the number of clubs achieving Clubmark. Remember, with Clubmark your club
has easier access to funding.
www.southwestathletics.com now has a webmaster, which should make updating
information more frequent.
For further information on
development in the region before you receive this newsletter, go to www.athletics-movingon.com
SPORTS AMBASSADORS From April, each district in
Cornwall will have an Ambassadors programme, originally pioneered by North
Cornwall, where any athlete with national representation will have the free use
of three sporting facilities within the district. You will be notified when
application forms are available.
FINALLY. Let us all try to make this
a year of progress,
share our thoughts and our knowledge.
Tony Lett
County Coach Coordinator Tel 01209 891101
tony.lett1@btopenworld.com