Athletics NI will support athletes, coaches, parents and teachers at Fundamentals level through the delivery of Athletics 365.
Athletics 365 is a curriculum of physical conditioning and technical run, jump, throw skills that has been developed by England Athletics and adopted by British Athletics across the home nations. “Athletics 365 focuses not only on how fast someone runs or how far someone jumps or throws but also, more importantly, on developing the technical skills (‘how’ to run, jump and throw) required to perform at full potential and move like a champion. In addition to technical skills, Athletics 365 also looks at an athlete’s physical, mental and emotional development, as well as their lifestyle and social development.
The Athletics 365 programme is broken down into nine progressive stages. Each stage provides athletes with new and progressively more difficult challenges appropriate to their stage of development. Athletics 365 encourages athletes to learn the skills and events of athletics, and reinforces the importance of a good all round skill base. The stages of progression are similar to those in other sports, such as the martial arts ‘belt system.” Through Athletics 365 we believe young people will develop the skills and confidence to excel in life; not only in athletics, but in other sports and life pursuits.
Athletics NI support and actively promote the use of the Athletics 365 curriculum in clubs and schools across the country and provide regular Athletics 365 workshops for club coaches, teachers and sports science students. To date 400 coaches have attended an Athletics 365 workshop in Northern Ireland.
Athletics 365, which is also supported by a coach’s manual and videos, provides tiered progressions aimed at 8-15 year olds. 500 coaching manuals have been distributed in Northern Ireland. Progressions initially address the ABCs of movement (fundamentals aimed at 8-12 years) and these activities can be included in multi-sport environments. Post primary school Athletics NI recommend that coaches of children in schools, clubs and community based athletics sessions adopt a multi-event approach.
To find out more on upcoming 365 workshops and please see the Athletics 365 page.