Club Training, Coaching and Athlete Development Policy

1. Policy Rationale

The Club is committed to providing an athlete-centred coaching environment that supports long-term participation and development. The Club adopts Athletics Ireland's Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model as the foundation of its coaching philosophy. This Policy establishes the principles upon which the Executive Committee will organise the Club's coaching structure while allowing operational arrangements to evolve in response to the collective development needs of the Club's athletes and the coaching, facility and volunteer resources available to the Club.

2. Purpose

To establish the governance principles for the organisation of recognised training groups, coaching resources and the progression of athletes through the Club's athlete development pathway.

3. Definitions

·       Training Group – A recognised Club group providing stage-appropriate coaching.

·       Event-Specific Coaching Group – A recognised Club group providing coaching in a particular discipline.

·       Athlete Development Pathway – The structured progression through recognised Club coaching environments.

·       Coach – A person appointed by the Club to deliver recognised coaching activities.

·       Executive Committee – The committee responsible for governance of the Club's coaching structure.

4. Guiding Principles

·       Athlete welfare and long-term development are the primary considerations in decisions affecting individual athletes.

·       The Club adopts Athletics Ireland's LTAD model.

·       Broad athletic development precedes progressive event specialisation.

·       Individual progression is based on development rather than chronological age alone.

·       Recognised training groups and event-specific coaching groups are Club structures established by the Executive Committee.

·       The coaching structure evolves in response to the collective development needs of the Club's athletes and the coaching, facility and volunteer resources available to the Club.

5. Planning and Allocation of Coaching Resources

The Club is committed to providing the widest possible range of coaching opportunities within the resources available to it.

·       The collective development needs of the Club's athletes.

·       The principles of the Athletics Ireland LTAD model.

·       The availability, qualifications and capacity of volunteer coaches.

·       The availability of suitable facilities and training times.

·       Safeguarding and welfare considerations.

·       The efficient and sustainable use of Club resources.

In planning recognised coaching groups and training schedules, the Executive Committee shall balance these factors in the best interests of the Club as a whole. The Club recognises that members and families have differing commitments, preferences and availability. While these may be considered where practicable, the Club cannot reasonably provide training groups, coaching programmes or training schedules that accommodate the preferred days or times of every member. Individual placement and progression decisions shall not, of themselves, determine the timing, location or availability of recognised coaching groups.

6. Athlete Development Framework

The Club's athlete development framework provides a structured pathway through which cohorts of athletes progress. Individual athletes may progress at different rates.

Entry to the Club

The general juvenile training group is the normal gateway for new juvenile members.

Initial Placement

Athletes joining with previous coaching or competition experience may be assigned to another recognised training group where appropriate.

Event Exploration

Initial event exploration normally occurs within the athlete's existing training group.

Event-Focused Coaching

Before progression to an event-specific coaching group, athletes normally receive increasing levels of individual technical coaching within their existing training group.

Event-Specific Coaching Groups

Recognised event-specific coaching groups may be established where the Executive Committee identifies a sustained need for more specialised coaching for a cohort of athletes. Their establishment reflects the collective coaching requirements of the Club rather than the preferences or circumstances of individual athletes.

7. Athlete Progression

Progression through the pathway is an individual process based on development, welfare and long-term interests. Decisions relating to individual athletes do not determine the structure of the Club's coaching programme.

8. Governance Responsibilities

Executive Committee

·       Adopt and review this Policy.

·       Determine the overall coaching structure.

·       Recognise, modify or discontinue coaching groups.

·       Appoint coaches and allocate facilities.

·       Ensure safeguarding and governance compliance.

Coaches

·       Deliver safe, athlete-centred coaching.

·       Support broad athletic development.

·       Identify athletes ready for increased event-specific coaching.

·       Maintain required qualifications, safeguarding training and Garda Vetting.

9. Coach Collaboration

The development of athletes is a shared responsibility.

·       Work collaboratively with fellow coaches.

·       Support planned transitions through the athlete development pathway.

·       Place the long-term interests of athletes and the Club above individual coaching interests.

10. Coaching Groups

Recognised coaching groups are established by the Executive Committee to meet the collective development needs of cohorts of athletes.

·       Participation levels.

·       Developmental needs of cohorts of athletes.

·       Availability of qualified, vetted and willing coaches.

·       Sustainability.

·       Facilities and available resources.

The identification of a coaching need by an individual athlete, parent or coach does not, of itself, require the establishment of a recognised coaching group.

11. Annual Coaching Review

The Executive Committee will review the coaching structure annually before each season.

12. Temporary Coaching Programmes

The Executive Committee may establish temporary or seasonal coaching programmes. These do not create permanent coaching groups or future entitlements.

13. Review

This Policy shall be reviewed periodically by the Executive Committee.

 

 

 

 

 

 | Version number:  | Date | Comment
 | 1                            | 7/7/26 |