Aims and Objectives
What we offer:
We provide a pathway for para athletes from beginners through to high performance. We provide competition for various levels of para athletics which are integrated with mainstream competitions.
We run taster session for children age 8 – 17 years old at different times during the year like Easter and Summer. We run 6 para sessions between September – April for athletes 12 years through to seniors, these sessions are suitable for beginners to developmental athletes. We want as many athletes to join local athletics club when possible. Then if an athlete reaches Youth Academy standard, they join their session also. For information on Youth Academy go to https://athleticsni.org/Athletes/Athlete-Development-Pathway/Event-Group/Youth-Academy
When athletes reach the Event Specific or Performance Levels of the Athlete Development Pathway they then liaise with Tom Reynolds Athlete Development Lead, Laura Kerr Coach Development & Physical Prep Lead and Jackie Newton Director of Coaching & Athlete Development
Event Specific: https://athleticsni.org/Athletes/Athlete-Development-Pathway/Event-Specialist
Performance Level: https://athleticsni.org/Athletes/Athlete-Development-Pathway/Performance
Courses:
We arrange for the top British Athletics & Paralympics Ireland para coaches to run workshops through out the year that coaches can register to attend, including:
Para Training Session Dates:
Athletics NI are hosting 6 Para Training sessions throughout the year for athletes to take part in Para Athletics. The sessions are for athletes aged 12 and above, and have a mix of new and experienced para athletes. Participants will have the opportunity to do run/ jump/ throw or try out racing wheelchairs and seated throws.
If you enjoy athletics, we will recommend some athletics clubs/ coaches in your area. The dates are as follows:
Date |
Place |
Time |
12th February 2023 (with Joe McDonnell) |
Ulster University, Jordanstown |
1pm- 5pm Online Entry |
26th March 2023 |
Mary Peters Track |
1pm- 3pm Online Entry |
23rd April 2023 |
Mary Peters Track |
1pm-3pm |
Classification
Athletics NI are hosting a British Athletics Classification day on 21st & 22nd May at the Mary Peters Track. Anyone wishing to be Classified on this date, please contact Heather at heather.ardis@athleticsni.org in order to receive the medical form, as these need to be returned by 22nd April, ahead of the Classification Clinic.
Being from Northern Ireland you can choose to be classified by British Athletics or Paralympics Ireland, the medical forms are the same for both as they are from World Para Athletics. A national classification does not mean you will be selected to compete for either country, it is so that you can compete in national level competitions in the right classification group.
For more information on national classifiaction click here
Wheelchair Training Sessions
Wheelchair track training sessions - these are held at the Mary Peters Track (Belfast) on Thursday nights 5pm - 6pm for athletes aged 8-12 (April to October) and from 5pm - 6.30pm (all year) for athletes aged 12 and older.
If you are interested in attending please email through your name, age and disability details to Heather Ardis: heather@athleticsni.org
Para sessions – Following on from these sessions Athletics NI will create links between athletes and local clubs. A full list of clubs in Northern Ireland can be found at www.athleticsni.org/Clubs
Athlete Assistance Form- This document allows athletes with disabilities to request assistance, where required, from Event Organisers or officials for competitions.
Special Olympics Ulster provides year round sports training and competition to over 2,000 people with an intellectual disability in the counties Antrim, Down, Armagh, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Derry, Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan. Special Olympics Ulster have their own website with more information.
Athletics NI: Heather Ardis, Athletics House, Old Coach Road, Belfast BT9 5PR
Email: heather@athleticsni.org or info@athleticsni.org Phone: 028 9060 2707
The British Blind Sport Guide for Supporting Visually Impaired Adults and Children in Athletics is another useful resource.