INSTITUTE Institute of Sport unveils Quality Assurance Programme for Service Providers

Sean Kelly, Executive Chairman of the Irish Institute of Sport, today announced the introduction of a new quality assurance programme for service providers to elite Irish athletes.

The aim of the Institute is to ensure that the best athletes get the best available support, be that in coaching, training and competition opportunities, medical support and equipment. The Quality Assurance Programme will ensure that the best athletes are provided with the best possible sports science support.

The new system, devised by Professor Greg Whyte, Director of Sport Science at the Institute, will be rolled out immediately. The Institute of Sport’s quality assurance programme has been established to ensure that all Irish athletes receive the support of sports scientists of the appropriate quality.

There are two levels of recognition from the Institute, Technical Member and Technical Fellow, in the areas of the following sport science disciplines: Nutrition, Strength & Conditioning, Physiology, Psychology & Performance Lifestyle, Biomechanics and Performance Analysis.

Only Members and Fellows will be eligible for Institute funding for work with high performance athletes, coaches and programmes.

Sean Kelly, commenting on the new Quality Assurance Programme, said “The various sports science disciplines play an important and increasingly influential role in elite sport. It was essential that the Institute put in place a system that provides Irish elite athletes with technical knowledge that will make a positive impact on their performance. I want to thank Greg Whyte for putting in place a system that achieves that goal, a new service that brings practical benefits to Irish athletes”.

Professor Greg Whyte, introducing the programme, said; “Sports performance can be improved with the correct application of technical support. In an increasingly complex and fragmented field, it is essential to provide the means of connecting world class service providers with world class athletes. The Institute provides the guarantee that the service is appropriate to the needs of the athletes”.

For further information contact: Mary Fleming, Irish Institute of Sport, mfleming@irishinstituteofsport.ie or 8608800