Athletics Ireland Development Squads

Athletics Ireland recently announced its Regional Development Squads for 2007/8, which include a large number of Donegal and North West athletes. These squads are aimed at assisting athletes in the u14 to u19 age bracket who have shown potential at provincial and national level in the last year.

The aim of the squads is to bring athletes and their coaches together with their peers in a squad environment, to provide a focus for the athletes as they progress through the age groups, to supplement their existing training programs, and offer coach and athlete alike the opportunity to benefit from the differing perspectives of a variety of experienced coaches.

Donegal athletics can be proud of having so many of it's young athletes named on this squad, which gives an indication of the fine work being carried out at club and school level by athletes and coaches alike. During the last year Donegal and North West athletes had perhaps it’s strongest ever representation on Irish Schools and Celtic International Track & Field teams and had an unprecedented number of athletes gain top placings at Irish Indoor, Cross Country and outdoor Track and Field championships.

Stephan Maguire, Ulster Regional Coach, has been appointed as head coach of this squad. Stephan is one of the top track & field coaches in Ireland at the moment and is personal coach to a number of our top International competitors. Stephan will be ably assisted by a large panel of experienced coaches covering the entire spectrum of track & field events.

North West Squad dates, times and venues are as follows; Sunday October 21st, Finn Valley Centre 10.30am - 1:30pm. Sunday 2^nd December 10.30am -1.30pm Letterkenny or Finn Valley

For further information on the squads contact Eamon Harvey Regional Dev Officer , Athletics Ireland at eamon@athleticsireland.ie or phone 0872797548