Coach Education Matters - Autumn 2016
Coaching Matters and Upcoming Coach Education Courses
(David Matthews, Cork Athletics/Athletics Ireland Regional Development Officer)
Coach Education Courses Autumn 2016
Munster Junior Performance Squad - Autumn 2016
Completing a Coaching course doesn’t mean that you HAVE to coach for life
Level 1 Coach Course starts Weekend of 30th September
Athletics Leader Course - 29th October
Assistant Coach Course - 12th November
Endurance Course - November - Date tbc
Athletics Leader Course Syllabus
Assistant Coach Course Syllabus
All courses will be held at CIT Track, and are open to new aspiring coaches, along with existing coaches who wish to upskill.
Following these, the next courses are scheduled for Spring 2017.
Level 1 Coach Course - Fri 30th September
There is always clamour for Level 1 courses in Cork - This course is filling up fast, so don't miss out - There wont be another Level 1 course in Cork until late 2017
Sign up now for Level 1 course
FIT 4 Class
New Primary School initiative (yet to be officially launched)
What is Fit4Class?
- Fit4Class is Athletics Irelands new 10 week athletics programme. It introduces primary school children aged 5-10, from junior infants to fourth class, to athletics in a fun, engaging and non-competitive environment.
- Fit4Class focuses on the use of games to develop fitness whilst enhancing agility, co-ordination and balance, all fundamental to longer term physical athletic development.
- Fit4Class rewards students for participating and having fun.
- The Students will be rewarded with wrist bands on completion & includes a Class tracker.
What is the aim of Fit4Class?
Athletics Ireland, anticipates that Fit4Class will not only encourage primary schools to incorporate athletics into their PE class, but will also encourage students to try athletics outside school with their local athletic club.
It is expected that Fit4Class will also help promote the benefits of regular physical activity to the wider school community.
Athletics Ireland has invited All DEIS Primary Schools to register for 300 free class places. To date 160 classes have registered.
Registration closes on October 7th.
Schools should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - 087 0516430 for further information.
- The Programme was developed by Daniel Kilgallon, who is National co-ordinator for Fit4Class
- Schools must register through the Atheltics Ireland website, in the same way as for any Coaching Course
- There are 32 DEIS School in Cork City/County & all have been contacted and a number of classes from Cork Schools have already signed up.
- Its hoped that Fit4Class will be rolled out to Every Primary School in the Country next year.
Fit4Class Poster (PDF file) - Further information
Collective Coaching in CIT - Weekly Middle Distance/Distance sessions
David Matthews is hoping to facilitate group training for Juvenile Athletes, aged 13-17 years , (and their Coaches) who are not on;
- Munster Junior Squad or
- Munster Development Squad
At this stage of their development, these Athletes need encouragement, to ensure that they remain in the Sport. (if Athletes on the Munster Squads would like to attend, they’re more than welcome - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will be there to facilitate them)
- It will be a Weekly Session, in blocks of 4-6 weeks, held on Thursday evening at CIT Track - Time TBC
- David Matthews hopes to upskill existing Club Coaches, through Collective learning, and is open to all suggestions
- There are huge benefits to Group Training at this age
- Further information will be published after the next Cork Athletics County Board meeting (Oct 5th)
- It is hoped that something similar like this may be feasible for other events, e.g. Throws/Jumps Sprints
David Matthews is working on this, and contact has been made with several coaches specialising in these areas, addressing the needs of this age: Group 13-17 years.
Little Athletics - Volunteer Coaches from Secondary Schools
David Matthews has canvassed all the Clubs in Cork with regard to Little Athletic programmes.
- A number of clubs are at full capacity - which is a good complaint!! - and has received daily emails from parents asking for details of participating clubs.
- Club officials report that availability of Little Athletics Coaches (Athletic Leader) is the biggest problem facing them.
- David Matthews is looking at the possibility of Training up 5th year/ TY Students, who have an interest in Coaching, to help out in Local Athletic Clubs.
- This may fall under the GAISCE programme or TY, however that would be School dependent.
While the plan is in its infancy, Athletics Ireland has agreed to support the cost of training up the Students.
Contact David Matthews
David Matthews, Regional Development Officer- Cork
Cork Athletics/Athletics Ireland, c/o Sports Department, Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 087-0516430
Autumn/Winter Technical Coaching Days
Cork Athletics is planning to hold its annual, however, while several coaches have already come forward, at present, the program is short of 2 to 3 coaches. If you are a coach and are available on some Saturday afternoons, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible.
These sessions have proved invaluable in bring on Juvenile Athletes. Let's continue the good work!
Last year's series was highly successful
Technical Areas Covered:
- Hurdles
- High Jump
- Shot
- Discus
- Hammer
- Javelin
