Coaches benefit from conference
THE first ICOACHKIDS coaching conference to be held in Sligo took place on Friday last at ATU Sligo in Ballinode. Organised by Sport Ireland Coaching, it was hosted locally by the Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership (SSRP).
The successful Sligo event featured over 140 coaches, teachers and volunteers from 24 sports and 11 counties.
The conference equipped youth coaches with the latest scientific research to aid and inspire the next generation of young participants. Conducting the conference were distinguished speakers Dr Sergio Lara-Bercial, a former Team GB coach and director of the globally-acclaimed ICOACH KIDS project, and Nicolette Schipper-van Veldhoven, a sports pedagogy professor and expert in youth sports development.
Both speakers delivered dynamic presentations which revisited some of the fundamentals of youth coaching and provided guidelines and tools for coaches.
The ultimate goal of keeping as many children and teenagers as possible engaged in sport through motivational practices and fostering of a safe social environment was a key point discussed by both speakers. This child-centered approach advocated seeks to empower both coaches and children, placing the importance of fun at the top of the agenda.
Deirdre Lavin, Sports Co-ordinator SSRP, stated: “It was really encouraging to see the number of coaches who attended from such a diversity of sporting organisations.”
Due to the level of interest among coaches to gain further knowledge in the area of child-centred coaching, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership (SSRP) will facilitate a number of follow-up workshops on the topic of coaching children in sport.