Christmas Update

Hi Guys, As we are approaching Christmas and the New Year I figured that this is the best time to update everybody on how things are going, closures and when training will be starting again.

Youngstars

Since I last spoke to you all the Youngstars numbers have increased for the Wednesday and Thursdays sessions, which is awesome and there are also roughly 5-6 new athletes planning on joining in January. We had a few people use the referral discount which was also good to see. Next week will be the last week of Youngstars before we take a break for Christmas. The last sessions will take place on the 18th and 19th of December and training will start again on the 8th and 9th of January. We will mix training up a little in the new year and I am thinking of introducing small hurdles and shot putt into the session to add some variety. I’m saving high jump for the summer, as the conditions don’t accommodate for safe training at the moment.

Senior And Development Coaching

Most of the older athletes are well into their preparations for the upcoming indoor season which commences with a sprints and hurdles competition at Ulster University, Jordanstown on January 11th 2020. Following this competition there will be a jumps and throws competition on the 18th at the same venue. Below is a video of one of my U23 athletes, Lauren Roy practicing accelerations as she will be racing this indoors trying to get the standard for the World Indoor Championships, which will be held in China, mid-March 2020.

Other Stuff

This Saturday I will be going to Arizona for 7 days to attend the Altis ACP (Apprentice Coach Programme). The trip will also give me the chance to train for a week as I prepare for my own indoor season. The weather looks to be around low 20s so it will be a nice break from the cold of NI! In my absence I have two fantastic coaches to cover me on the Wednesday and Thursday Youngstar session, Laura Greer and Zoe Carruthers. Both of these coaches work as casual coaches for Athletics NI and if your child has ever been to a Star Track summer camp they will have been coached by them before. If anyone is planning on popping down to Mary Peters Track to get an additional session in, the track will be closed on December 24th, 25th and 26th.

Have a great Christmas, guys and a Happy New Year!