Event Group Jumps Squad Launched for 2017
19 November 2017
Following an extremely successful Event Group Sprints & Hurdles and Throws Squads on 19th November, Athletics NI are excited to announce the Event Group Jumps Squad on 2nd December.
The squads deliver appropriate technical and physical preparation sessions for athletes aged 14-21 and provide development opportunities, networking and planning support for coaches.
On Saturday 2nd December the Event Group Jumps Squad session will take place at Ulster University Jordanstown 1-5pm. The squad focusing on horizontal jumps and pole vault and will be led by Athletics NI coach and international long jumper Adam McMullen and international pole vault coach Jim Alexander. Jim guided Youth Academy Pole Vaulters Ellie McCartney and Shane Martin to PBs of 3.75m and 4.40m last year.
The squad will begin with a functional movement warm up and landing mechanics followed by upright running for jumpers with flying 20m measured through electronic timing gates. This will be supervised by Adam McMullen whilst multi-eventers and beginner pole vaulters will work with Jim Alexander on fundamental elements of the pole vault.
Following this, athletes will break for lunch and coaches are invited to share in an informal coach networking opportunity and technical discussion in the Athletes Lounge. After lunch there will be a technical horizontal jumps session for long and triple jumpers (as well as multi-eventer and beginner’s pole vaulters) and Jim will take an advanced pole vault session (for those with a PB of 2.80m or higher).
Coach Development & Physical Preparation Lead Laura Kerr said: “At the event group stage of our athlete development pathway, Athletics NI support coach-athlete pairs with initiatives including Youth Academy & Open Academy.
"Weekly Youth Academy for selected athletes and quarterly Open Academy sessions aim to nurture the development of promising young athletes as they negotiate their teenage years.
“In recent years Athletics NI have rolled out regular Endurance Camps bringing top young athletes and their coaches together for squad days including planning support, technical training and seminars. Developing this concept further Event Group Development Squads for Sprints & Hurdles, Jumps and Throws will now run on a quarterly basis.”
"Here at Athletics NI, we aim to bring in expert coaches and speakers and create an open environment for group training and coach networking".
Online registration is now open and attendance costs £15 which includes a healthy lunch.
This athlete fee covers the attendance of the coach-athlete pair. Coaches attending without an athlete may attend free of charge.