Since the beginning of the year, the coaching committee have been discussing at length the best way to improve the long term athletic ability of all under ages players within the club.

With this in mind, we are lunching our long term athletic development plan (LTAD) on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4th at 6pm in O’Tooles Club House. We ask that all players and parents/guardians attend a short meeting to discuss the LTAD.

This is phase 4 of works the coaching committee has been implementing since January 2015.

Phase 1

The first phase was the introduction of the speed and agility training with Chris Hamilton for our 7, 8 and 9 year olds. The main objective of this is to improve running styles and foot speed as improvements makes at the this age are maintained for life. This will improve the children’s long-term athletic ability in all sports, not just Gaelic Games.

Phase 2

The second phase was the redesign of the nursery (again completed by Chris in conjunction with Vinny our GPO). The focus of the new design was the ABC’s, Agility, Balance, Coordination and the RJC’s, Running, Jumping and Catching. This will improve the children’s long-term athletic ability in all sports, not just Gaelic Games.

Phase 3

The third phase was the introduction of the standardized dynamic warm up for teams. The objective of this is injury reduction right through to adult life.

Phase 4

Phase four is conditioning training for 12 to 18 year olds (boys and girls). The objective of this phase is to improve the long term athletic development (LTAD) of our Players. Again, like with phases 1 and 2, this phase will improve the player’s athletic ability in all sports and will ensure that a player can reach his potential at adult level.

To ensure players are completing the correct type training we have engaged MG Fitness to develop, implement and monitor the long term athletic development of every WILLING player in the club.

MG FITNESS will in conjunction with Martin Gunda provide this service to club on a continuous bases. For example our current under 13s will have completed 5 years of professional specific conditioning training before they reach adult grade Gaelic Games. This improve their chances of playing Gaelic games at adult level exponentially.

MG FITNESS are currently working with our senior players and in a very short time period the players have improved hugely. A brief description of the LTAD can be viewed here.

The professionals developing our plan are detailed below.

  • Peder Madsen, MSc. Graduated from Uni of Chester with a MSc in Exercise and Nutrition. Has represented Ireland at Senior Level in two different sports (basketball and Olympic handball). Played professional basketball in UK. Currently works at the Irish Strength Institute where he has trained and consulted a number of athletes from many sports. Peder’s Full Bio.
  • John Gray, BSc. Graduated from DCU with a BSc in Sport Science. He played soccer for many years and has trained a number of high profile athletes at The Irish Strength Institute. John specializes in functional/mobility training. John’s Full Bio.
  • Kevin Foley MSc. Currently completing his post-grad at Trinity College Dublin in Exercise Physiology. Kevin is one of the top Senior Irish basketball players in the country. He has a keen interest in developing young athletes and has studies under some of the most highly acclaimed S&C Coaches in the World. Kevin’s Full Bio.

On a day to day basis, Martin Gunda will supervise training. Martin holds an MSc in physical education and has represented Slovakia in swimming at international level.

I ask once again that players, parents/guardians come long on Monday at 6pm.

Regards

Lenny Rock