Sporting elite line-up for this year’s Coachworks

Organisers Banbridge District Sports Association, Armagh Sports Forum and Craigavon Sports Advisory Council, have launched the programme, and former NI international Jim Magilton, sports psychologist Dr John Kremer and Ulster Sports Academy’s Shane McCullough are among the coaches providing tips.

Taking place in venues across the Banbridge, Armagh and Craigavon areas, the programme covers hot topics relating to optimal performance and provides ready to use examples for those working with individuals and teams of all ages and abilities.

Coachworks 2014 starts in style on Monday ,January 20 in Banbridge where NI National Women’s Coach Alfie Wylie will be offering coaches new drills and skills for developing fitness with his workshop entitled ‘Fit 4 Performance’.

Also in Banbridge Ulster Sports Academy’s Shane McCullough will look at games that can be incorporated into both children and adult training programmes with his session on Monday, January 27. Both sessions will be in Banbridge Leisure Centre.

The Coachworks programme in Armagh commences on Tuesday January 21, when Dr John Kremer will provide an insight into how sport psychology can be used to maximise individual and team performance and exercise nutritionist, Dr Sharon Madigan, from the Sports Institute for NI will look at fuelling the recovery process and providing specialist nutritional advice on January 28.

Craigavon will see Ulster Rugby’s Fitness Development Coach Paul Heasley examine warm-ups on Wednesday, January 22 and bringing Coachworks 2014 to an end is former NI international and current IFA Elite Performance Director Jim Magilton who will offer new training techniques to improve team performance on Wednesday, January 29.

Speaking at the launch of Coachworks 2014, Banbridge Sports Development Officer, Gillian Dewart, commented: “This is Banbridge District’s first year of participating in Coachworks and I would like to thank Armagh and Craigavon Sports Development departments for inviting us to come on board. We have lined up a fantastic programme ensuring we have something which is relevant and innovative for coaches at all levels.”

Anyone who is interested in finding out more and would like a copy of the programme should contact Sarah Porter at Banbridge District Council on 406 60637.