Coach Buford-Bailey Delivers Sprints Coach Mentoring Programme Workshop
The AAI Sprints Coach Mentoring Programme recently re-commenced for the 2021 season. Launched in 2018, session No.1 of the Sprints Coach Mentoring Programme was delivered by Belgian coach Jacques Borlee.
Last Friday, January 22nd, 2021, US coach Tonja Buford-Bailey delivered session No.12 of the programme via Zoom. Coach Buford-Bailey, a former Olympic and World medallist, turned coach to Olympic and World medallists, presented a captivating and informative workshop on the topic of ‘Transitioning Successful U20 Athletes to the Next Level’, covering various topics including:
- Mentality and Understanding of Responsibilities / Lifestyle
- Diet and Health
- Female Athlete Perspective
- Coach Relationship
- Goal Setting
- Training
- Case studies [Ashley Spencer (USA) / Shiann Salmon (JAM)]
The presentation was followed by a Q&A session, with several coaches availing of the opportunity to engage with Coach Buford-Bailey and gain further insight into her knowledge and experience. This was the first of six workshops scheduled for 2021. The next programme workshop is scheduled for February 12th when world renowned coach Dan Pfaff will present on ‘Using a 3-day Rollover Cycle Format for Plan B Programming in Inclement Weather Environments’.
On March 12th, Stephen Maguire, head coach of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Men’s 4x100m World Championship winning team, will present on his ‘Coaching Journey So Far, Reflections And Lessons Learned’. Regular programme contributor Ralph Mouchbahani will present on ‘Importance of Recovery: train when recovered, don't train to recover’ on April 16th, whilst on May 14th Kerry Hill, relays technical lead at New Zealand Athletics, will present on ‘Data vs Art of Coaching in Making a Difference’. The workshop series will culminate on June 11th when Laurent Meuwly, head coach with Netherlands Athletics will present on ‘Preparing to Perform at Championships’.
Selected programme coaches can also avail of one-to-one mentoring sessions with Tonja Buford-Bailey from January to March and Ralph Mouchbahani from April to August 2021. Access to the programme workshops has also been offered to national relay squad coaches and coaches of selected national relay squad members. Further details of the Sprints Coach Mentoring Programme are available HERE.
Please direct queries relating to the above to Daniel Kilgallon, National Sprints Coordinator via sprints@athletcisireland.ie