Top sports conference for Thurles in November
Another milestone in Thurles’ evolution as a modern day sporting centre of excellence will be laid next month as some of the world’s leading experts in coaching descend on the town for a two-day conference aimed at maximising potential of young athletes of all codes.
The conference, titled Developing & Maximising Youth Potential, will be held at the Setanta College and LIT Sportslab base – the most technologically advanced Strength and Conditioning Centre in Thurles on November 21st and 22nd and brings together one of the most impressive gatherings of international coaching experts who have worked with some of the biggest names in sport across the planet.
The two-day conference will be an opportunity for anyone in Ireland and abroad involved in or with an interest in coaching and, in particular, maximising youth athletic potential, to hear from some of the world’s most enlightened experts.
The conference is drawn together by Tippeary man Dr. Liam Hennessy, who is one of the world’s leading Strength & Conditioning experts. He has gathered experts from the UK, US and elsewhere for the two day-event.
Announcing the event, Dr. Hennessy said, “Coaching is more important than any natural ability. You are given natural ability at birth but coaching is key to maximising that and it must start at youth level. If you look at the Rugby World Cup and the learnings we have from it, one of them has to be that we must spend more time developing our young players and this applies to all sports.
“Over 10 years ago down under you would not believe the recreational development skills that were going on in New Zealand and Australia with younger players. The only approach you can compare it to here in Ireland is when you look at Kilkenny hurling. At break-time they play around with the sliotar and ball. Everywhere they go they have them with them; it’s like an extension of their body. That’s what happens in New Zealand, in particular, in relation to rugby.
“What we need to do is address this at youth level and our conference will be a great opportunity for coaches in all sports to hear from some of the best and most knowledgeable coaches in the world in relation to all facets of coaching, from Strength & Conditioning, to mobility, speed and nutrition.”
Among the speakers be Dave Alred, who is recognised as one of the world’s top experts on performance-psychology. He worked with the 2003 England Rugby World Cup winning side and was also private performance coach to the likes of Johnny Sexton, Johnny Wilkinson Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington.
Others who will address the conference include:
· Michael Fennelly, former hurler of the year, nutrition expert and a strength & conditioning lecturer at the high-tech Thurles facility
· Des Ryan, Arsenal FC Head of Sports Medicine and Athletic Development
· Loren Landow, trainer of 100 professional athletes, the Dever Broncos NFL Championship winning side of 2011, numerous NFL All-Pros, Olympic medalists and UFC fighters
· Mike Martino, coach to a number of Olympic champions and a former world class swimmer himself
· Paudie Roche, Youth Academy Strength & Conditioning Coach at Arsenal
· Gary Schofield, Atlanta Hawks basketball coach.
· Damien Young, specialist in child and youth movement development
· Dr Ian Jeffreys, expert speed and agility coach'