Commonwealth Games Preparation Camp Underway

Team Leader, Jackie Newton explains, “This camp provides an opportunity for the majority of nominated athletes to come together for training, team building and focused work on Clean Sport education, holding camp simulation and preparation strategies for travel, acclimation and the Athletes’ Village on the Gold Coast”.

In addition to training, the group have spent time discussing the vision for the Games and the roles and responsibilities of the athletes, personal coaches and support staff.

Our vision is that athletes arrive at their event in their best physical shape with a mindset that enables them to perform at their personal best.

Some personal coaches have joined the camp in Tenerife, to fulfil their role in supporting the athlete with all elements of training and integration with Athletics NI team coaches, support from Sport NI Sports Institute including physiotherapy and strength and conditioning.

In addition to coordinating the preparation schedule above, Athletics NI have also organised Professor Dave Collins, Beijing Olympics athletics head coach, to join the camp. Dave will use his wealth of experience to work with athletes and staff on mindset and major games preparation.   

Ciara Mageean said “I have really enjoyed getting to know the other nominated athletes and was glad I could share my previous Commonwealth Games experience at the first team meeting of the week. I believe this is a strong group of athletes and Northern Ireland can be excited about the upcoming Commonwealth Games.”

In what is the first of two 10- day preparation camps, multiple Paralympic Champion, Jason Smyth has accompanied the Commonwealth Games nominated athletes in preparation for the 2018 European Para Athletics Championships.

The team coaches have commented that, so far, Tenerife has provided first class training facilities and ideal weather conditions for acclimation and optimal preparation for the Gold Coast.

Additionally, we are delighted that this group of athletes, from a range of events and ranging experience, have bonded exceptionally well in what has been a very positive training environment.

More Information on who is on the camp: 

The Athletes

• Jack Agnew (J Agnew, H Ardis)
• Mollie Courtney (David Warner)
• Amy Foster (David Reid)
• Adam Kirk Smith (Tomaz Plibersek)
• Ciara Mageean (Steve Vernon)
• Adam McMullen (Alan Kennedy)
• Emma Mitchell (Eamonn Christie)
• Kate O’ Connor (D, Gough, L Kerr, A McMullen, M O’ Connor, T Reynolds)
• Leon Reid (James Hillier)
• Ben Reynolds (Tom Reynolds)
• Jason Smyth

Athletics NI Staff

• Jackie Newton – Team Leader
• Laura Kerr – Team Coach
• Tom Reynolds –

Team CoachSupport Services

• Cameron Steele – SNISI affiliate Physiotherapist
• Robbie Bremner – SNISI Strength and Conditioning Coach

Personal Coaches

• Jim  Agnew
• Michael O’ Connor
• David Reid

Clean Sport Education

• Wendy Henderson
• Gillian Gilliland

Performance Preparation

• Dave Collins