The prospect of future success for Irish athletes was boosted yesterday with the announcement of a major sponsorship deal between the National Coaching and Training Centre (NCTC) and the ESB.
The NCTC's National Coaching Development Programme, which to date has accredited over 400 tutors and 15,000 coaches, is set to expand as a result of the three-year deal.
According to NCTC director Pat Duffy, this will ensure Irish athletes will have the best possible support network to assist with development and performance.
"The coach has a key role to play in each stage of the athlete's development, whether it is to introduce children to sport, to encourage continued involvement in schools or at club level, or to assist athletes in reaching their potential at recreational or high performance level," said Duffy.
"They are the lifeblood of sporting success and the backing by the ESB will enable us to provide crucial support for these people."
The sponsorship, which is to run for three years, will assist the NCTC programme in a number of areas. The education of new and existing coaches is one priority. The goal will be to increase the numbers involved and to enable those already accredited to progress upwards through the four levels, from basic coaching to working with elite athletes of international standard.
According to Duffy, developing a system to provide long-term support to Irish sports people is important.
"Some people tend to believe that a three-year period before a key performance is vital, but we believe that there should be a 10-year plan in place. It is much simpler to take an athlete who is already established and work with him or her - the real challenge is taking a young sportsperson and bringing them up through the ranks, from beginner right up to elite level."
The sponsorship will also see the introduction of a mobile fitness unit in the new year, removing the need for players and athletes to travel to the NCTC for physiological testing. Other programmes, such as the expansion of the current website and running a high-level coaching forum at the NCTC in 2003 are also planned.
However the first NCTC/ESB initiative will be the 2001 Coaches of the Year awards, to be held in Croke Park on November 27th.
"Coaches are so often the forgotten heroes in Sport," said Duffy, "and this is our opportunity to recognise and salute their time, energy and enthusiasm, which is most often voluntary."
