Institute of Sport Launches 2 New High Performance Coach Education Programmes

31 Jan 2014
The Irish Institute of Sport is delighted to announce the delivery of 2 new high bespoke coach education programme under the auspices of their Pursuit of Excellence (PEP) programme. The PEP programme offers high performance coaches with a diverse learning support programme that is learner centered and applied to the high performance context that each coach operates in.' The 2012 programme offering is our 3rd version of the PEP programme since its inception in 2010. A review of the 2011 programme pointed towards a critical need for the Institute to revise the programme structure and reformulate the programme offering considering the 'games driven' context that many of high performance coaches are currently operating in' explained Gary Keegan, Director, Irish Institute of Sport.

A review of the 2012 PEP programme involved feedback from 19 programme participants across 10 sports. This review determined the following key performance indicators - 100% of coaches said that the 2011 programme had met their expectations. Coaches also felt that the 2011 programme achieved an overall 80% satisfaction rating. In addition to the above summary feedback, the programme management team commissioned some applied research through Coaching Ireland and the University of Limerick which has informed key changes to the 2012 programme offering. The aim of these changes is to evolve the programme offering in order to ensure that the programme has a positive performance impact on high performance coaches and the context in which they operate.


'The 2011 PEP programme was a very positive experience for all those who contributed towards its success. The programme review generated some phenomenal feedback that has allowed us to upwardly revise the programme offering so that we can ensure that the programme remains fit for purpose given final preparations leading into the 2012 Games ' stated Daragh Sheridan, PEP programme manager.


As a result of evidence generated through participant feedback, the 2012 programme will involve a streaming mechanism whereby coaches will receive a focused professional development support in accordance with the nature of their coaching role and their level of international experience. The objective of this change is to ensure that each coach's learning needs are catered for in a more tailored and individualised format. This change will result in the establishment of 2 new programme offerings:


The Podium Programme - A focused performance support programme for senior level coaches who have experience and a track record performing at a senior international level.


The Horizon Programme - A long term coach development programme designed for coaches who are performing at a junior international level with the aspiration to graduate towards senior


Interested applicants can download a copy of the 2012 programme brochure at www.instituteofsport.ie and follow the links to the coach zone section. The closing date for applications is February 1st 2012.