The Pursuit of Excellence - The Journey Continues

Coaches play a critical role in the preparation and support of high performance athletes at major competitions around the world. In recognition for the need to support the development of high performance coaches, Irish Institute of Sport established a professional development programme in 2009. The programme which is entitled the Pursuit of Excellence Programme provides high performance coaches with the opportunity to apply for grant aid and expert support towards their personal professional development. In 2011 20 coaches from 10 sports have been accepted onto the programme which involves a range of professional development supports.

Each year the programme provides a diverse array of support to each programme participant. Coaches typically use their grant aid to invest in the development of their skills and experiences by attending a range of learning and development events i.e. conferences around the world. In tandem with individual learning and development programmes, coaches also met 3 times per year to complete 2 day workshops focusing on a range of leading edge issues facing coaches in high performance sport.

February 3rd 2011: 'Ronald Claes, High performance Swim Coach, Swim Ireland presenting a case study on a recent competitor profiling trip to Australia'

In 2011 the Institute of Sport is delighted to welcome 20 coaches from 10 sports to participate on the programme. The group has a wealth of experience with over 244 years of coaching experience. Gary Keegan, Director of Irish Institute of Sport stated 'The pursuit of excellence programme is a critical pillar of our organizational mission. We place a tremendous value in the development of our top coaches as we fully recognize the demands of their role and the need to continuously remain at the cutting edge of best practice. The pursuit of excellence programme offers coaches with an incredible opportunity to meet fellow coaching peers who are on the same journey tackling the real demands of a high performance environment'.

On Thursday February 3rd the Institute held the first of 3 2 day workshops for programme participants. The Institute have recruited one of Ireland's top high performance professionals to design and lead the workshop series. Dave Passmore, High Performance Director, Irish Hockey Association stated 'Coaching is a key passion of mine and I am delighted to be collaborating with the Institute in the creation of a customised workshop programme designed to meet real needs of high performance coaches in Irish Sport. We aim to create an open learning community that releases the immense experience and skills that are contained within the group'.

February 3rd 2011: Zauri Antia, Technical Coach, Irish High Performance Boxing Programme leading a practical demonstration with Brendan Maloney, High Performance Coach.

Key contributors and associated themes for the first workshop series included:

• Dr. Billy Taylor, Sports Coaching Expert, Department of Exercise & Sport Science, Manchester Metropolitan University - Completed 2 workshops on reflective practice and observational skills
• Billy Walsh & Zauri Antia, High Performance Coaching Team, Irish Amateur Boxing Association - presented a workshop on the coaching philosophy attached to the IABA high performance boxing programme.
• Ronald Claes, High Performance Swim Coach, Swim Ireland - Presented an international competitor analysis having recently visited a high performance swimming programme in Australia.
• John Treacy, CEO Irish Sports Council - Welcomed programme participants to the 2011 workshop series.

Daragh Sheridan, PEP Programme Manager reflected on the success of the first workshop 'We are delighted with the level of motivation and appetite for knowledge that was demonstrated throughout the 2 day programme. Our aim is to create an open learning environment whereby coaches can share their knowledge, skills and experience in an open and trustworthy way in order to benefit the entire participant group. It is our belief that over time this new high performance community will form and evolve into a very significant network that can guide and shape the development of high performance coaching in Ireland'.

The next Pursuit of Excellence workshop will place on April 14th - 15th. The workshop will focus on how coaches effectively integrate sport science and medicine expertise into their key coaching activities.

February 4th 2011: Dr. Billy Taylor leading a workshop with some of the 2011 Pursuit of Excellence Coaches