Dec 1, 2014
The IRFU today (1st Dec) issued an open invitation to all male athletes, from all sports, to consider if they have what it takes to be part of the new Irish Rugby Men’s Sevens programme as it confirmed four Talent Identification Days (TID) to be held in locations around Ireland in January 2015.
The TID days will only test the speed, power and endurance of players, to see whether they have the physical characteristics to become an elite level sevens player.
The IRFU hope to see the best rugby club talent available as well as attracting athletes with transferable skills from other team sports such as athletics, basketball, hockey and Gaelic Games.
In October IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora announced the Men’s Sevens Programme and confirmed that the IRFU have entered a team in the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship which takes place in June 2015, competing in Division C.
Launching the TID process Nucifora commented: “We are looking for sporting X-Factor and to ensure we leave no stone unturned we are not limiting our search to those already playing club rugby.
“Rugby sevens is a game that rewards explosive and agile athletes with good handling skills from any sporting background.
Many current and former players started their career in sevens – including Julian Savea, Joe Rokocoko & Corey Jane
Our initial TID will be aimed at putting players through a battery of physical tests to see whether they have the physiological characteristics we require.
The best athletes will be selected to then attend a sevens trial day from which an eventual squad of 20 players will be selected to prepare for the European Championships in June 2015.”
Those interested in attending the Talent Identification Open Days can sign up at www.irishrugby.ie/sevens
Closing date for applications is Friday, 19th December
http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/33165.php
Nov 28, 2014
Interview with Joseph Turley, Performa Sports
Why is analysis important in sport?
With about 60mins on the clock in the 2009 Heineken Cup Semi-final, Brian O’Driscoll intercepted a Ronan O’Gara long pass to run through a try between the posts. This wasn’t down to pure chance or good fortune, in O’Driscoll’s recent autobiography he highlights how his analysis of Ronan O’Gara allowed him to identify a subtle ‘give or sign’ if he was going to throw a long pass. This opposition analysis by Brian O’Driscoll allowed him to anticipate the destination of the pass before it happened, and when you watch the video back you can see how he had already started to sprint as soon as O’Gara double-tapped.
Analysis done! O’Driscoll scored an important try in the Heineken Cup semi final win over Munster in 2009
To paraphrase a sporting cliché, ‘winning in sport is about the small margins’ yet research shows that coaches can only recall around 30% of what happens in a game. This is why analysis in sport is important and why live-game analysis is now an essential aid to the coach on game day. We are each prone to subjective bias and we’ve missed 70% of the detail of performance, so the right objective data will help coaches make better informed decisions – that can be the difference between winning and losing.
How has technology impacted sports performance analysis?
Technology has had a significant impact on how we learn, interact, and work, which has all filtered into sport and analysis. In particular the growth of mobile technology and associated consumer products such as the iPad and Android tablets have become an enabler for all levels in sport to capture analysis and utilise video as a powerful means of performance communication and sports teaching.
We use technology to continually develop solutions for sports coaches, underpinned by speed and ease of use. In line with the rise of sports technology we are also finding that players/athletes are more aware of analysis and want access to any advantage that will help them to improve.
What is a Coach-Analyst?
Distinct from the manager, the traditional understanding of an analyst and coach is based in two separate roles, which continues to exist mainly in the elite and professional levels of sport. However over the past 2 years since we have been delivering our Level 3 CPPD module in Applied Performance Analysis with the University of Ulster we have seen the emergence of a hybrid role; the coach-analyst.
Sometimes they refer to themselves as inquisitive coaches, they know their sport and often have an intuitive ability to capture ‘coachable moments’. Ultimately they want to measure the impact of their coaching and want to use technology as a means of helping both themselves and their players/athletes to see more and better understand their performance.
How is analysis used in sports coaching?
We all learn in different ways but again this is being influenced by technology. So from my 4-year-old daughter using an iPad in nursery school to University students watching online video tutorials. Tablet and Cloud based technology such as Performa Sports allows objective data and video of performance to be combined, automatically creating video analysis which the coach can filter by player and combinations of events. Bringing the touchscreen to the touchline allows coaches to show video and data as trends to help the performer better understand – see what they’re doing or highlight role-playing as a visual guide.
Taking this further, it is important to recognise the role of the athlete in performance improvement and the power of self-discovery, and encouraging the ability to problem solve. Whilst analysis can be used to prioritise training and making session strategically relevant to performance strengths and weaknesses, it can also be used for player self-analysis. Allowing players to engage with their performance data and video along with coaching comments (not answers) increases player/athlete performance comprehension by around 70%. Which helps to improve performance.
What does sports analysis solve?
Analysis alone will not guarantee success, you need to clearly define and test the key performance indicators that are formed as part of a strategic plan in conjunction with the other pillars of performance such as strength and conditioning, nutrition, tactics and athlete well-being, etc. It allows coaches and players to see more and establish a common understanding of performance. As a consequence this improves performance learning and with time it also highlights trends that benefit tactics and the modelling to types of coaching interventions.
On the day however, real-time performance analysis can be a game-changer.
Performa Sports
Performa Sports is an innovative sports technology business focused on evolving the role, speed, ease-of-use and function of mobile and cloud technology as a game-changer in sports performance analysis.
The company has a strategic education partnership with the University of Ulster and co-delivers a Level 1 Coaching with Performance Analysis and a Level 3 CPPD Module in Applied Performance Analysis
Based in County Armagh, the company’s performance analysis iPad application and integrated Cloud platform is currently deployed in 98 Countries across Soccer, Rugby, GAA, Hockey and Tennis. We believe in opportunity and accessibility for all levels to engage with performance analysis and are proud to work with an international base of grassroots to professional level clubs, these include Major League Soccer Club Houston Dynamo, Celtic FC, Armagh GAA, Clare GAA, Galway GAA, Meath GAA, Crossmaglen Rangers, Tennis Ireland, Grosvenor Grammar School, West Bromwich Albion FC, Annadale Hockey Club, Craig Bellamy Foundation Football Academy (Sierra Leone) and the Belfast Giants Ice Hockey team.
Performa Sports is used by some of the biggest teams both Nationally and Internationally
Joseph Turley is a co-founder of Performa Sports and holds a BSc in Sports Studies and an MSc in Communications and Marketing, both from the University of Ulster.
For further information:
Email. joe@performasports.com
Web. www.performasports.com
Twitter. @performasports
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/performasports
Nov 28, 2014
GAA Handball……. a background!
Originally known as The Irish Handball Association GAA Handball has seen a huge development in our image over the past number of years under the rebranding of the association under the GAA branding umbrella which took place in 2009. This has been an immense step forward for our sport. Increased profile and exposure of our games at National level has been the objective of our Association for some time and through this tremendous alliance with the GAA, the strides we have made as a result have been emphatic to say the least.
Currently there are up to 15,000 members between clubs and schools in Ireland spread across 200 clubs and over 100 schools as GAA Handball continues to grow and become an increasingly popular sport in Ireland.
On the courts of play, our brilliant athletes (male and female, young and old) have raised the bar to new heights with unprecedented International and World Championship success. In Paul Brady and Aisling Reilly, we currently boast the best two individual exponents of the sport on a World stage. Indeed while the sport of Handball is played professionally in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the fact that Ireland is currently at the very top of the ladder and yet continue to maintain our hugely important amateur ethos within the GAA, brings immense pride to our Association. Just as our athletes have reached new heights in their playing endeavours, we as an Organisation continue to strive for similar high profile and esteemed status through all other aspects of sporting life in Ireland.
As a GAA Sport, we continue to form the backbone of hundreds of communities throughout Ireland with members as young as 5 years of age and others who continue to play both recreationally and competitively well into their 80s! At the 2012 World Handball Championships, a young Irish player picked up his first World title at just 11 years of age and within 15 minutes on the same court, an 83 year old member from Cork stepped into the World final arena to play in his World 80+ Singles Championship decider. It is thus very clear why we continue to promote our slogan of ‘Handball… a GAA Sport for Life’.
About the game
Handball is a fast paced, highly skillful, hugely entertaining, and fully inclusive sport. The fitness benefits of the game are vast. Speed, agility, endurance, flexibility, and bilateral coordination all come in to play in the sport that once you play for the first time, you wont ever want to stop. But what makes this game so great is that all you require to play is a ball and a wall…..it’s really that simple!
GAA Handball are the governing body for Handball in Ireland, with the game also being played in strongholds worldwide such as USA, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, UK, and Spain; as well as emerging nations Holland, Italy, Belgium, Argentina, and India to name but a few.
Despite being a small nation, Ireland are one of the elite Handball nations, with an array of World Men’s & Ladies Open Champions down through the years. In fact, we currently boast both titles, as Cavan’s Paul Brady remains the 4 time consecutive Men’s Champion, and arguably the unofficial all time best player title, whilst Antrim’s Aisling Reilly holds the Ladies crown.
In Ireland, there are four codes of Handball; 40×20, One-Wall, 60×30 & Hardball. The 40×20 & One-Wall codes are the two international codes, whilst the 60×30 & Hardball codes are traditional Irish games. Having such a variety of codes is great in the sense that there are Handball competitions all year round, providing increasing number of playing opportunities for players. The main competitions are the All Ireland Championships with Tournament weekends run in One Wall, 40×20 and 60×30. There are also club competions, Intervarsities and Underage Team Events run throughout the year.
Four Wall (40×20):
The ‘Small Alley’ as it is commonly referred to is named after its dimensions (40ft by 20ft). Currently the most popular version of Handball in Ireland, it is played in an indoor facility enclosed with four walls and a roof, similar to a squash or racquetball court. The game requires players to wear gloves and eye guards as the handball used is a small rubber ball, and can travel at speeds up to 100mph.
The 40×20 has an international outlet, and is played by over ten countries worldwide. The 40×20 season runs from November through to April.
One-Wall / Wall Ball:
With the name being a giveaway, One-Wall Handball
is the most fundamental form of Handball as it requires only a wall and a ball. It is without doubt the fastest growing code of Handball, with numbers playing growing substantially in the last five years. Due to its simplicity, it can
be played indoor or outdoor, but is generally played during the summer months. The front wall has dimensions 20ft by 16ft, whilst the ball used is similar to a racquetball. It is exciting times for the One-Wall code, that with 33 countries playing worldwide, a new World Wall Ball Association (WWBA) has been established with aims achieving Olympic status. The Irish One-Wall season runs from May through to August.
60×30 Softball:
The ‘Big Alley’ or ‘Softball’ game is widely regarded as the traditional Handball code to Ireland, and like the 40×20, it gets its name by the dimensions of its indoor court (60ft by 30ft). The ball used is much bigger and bouncier then the small alley handball, and therefore gloves and eye guards are not compulsory. The game is generally played in the summer months, due to the fact that traditionally the game was played in an outdoor court, before new roofed indoor alleys erected, during the latter half of the 20th Century. The 60×30 season runs from June through to October.
60×30 Hardball:
Hardball is the most ancient of our games in Ireland, and it is also played in the 60×30 court. As the name suggests, the ball used is small and hard, and is made from cork and leather. Padding on the hands is required due to the hardness of the ball that can travel at speeds over 100mph. The hardball season runs from May to June.
Growth:
Through a comprehensive National Development & Strategic Plan, GAA Handball is growing at a considerable pace. Almost 70 new GAA Handball Clubs have been formed in the past 36 months alone and through comprehensive marketing and publicity, our membership has increased by an amazing 35% in the same period. Over 1,000 schools have adopted the game and have erected One Walls. While GAA Handball thrives locally and nationally it is also important to indicate the massive progress being made internationally. With 33 countries now playing Handball throughout the World and now affiliated under a unified World Handball Federation, ambitious yet realistic plans are well underway which are targeted to catapult Handball into the worldwide sporting arena and hopefully to the Olympics.
Achievements:
GAA Handball Ireland hosted the biggest World Handball Championship event in history when 2,100 competitors from over 30 countries competed in a state of the art purpose built 21 court arena at the Citywest in October 2012. Spectators watched in the packed to capacity arena as Paul Brady defeated USA’s Luis Moreno in the World final, in what was stated by GAA President, Liam O’Neill, as one of the greatest sporting occasions he had ever witnessed.
Ireland currently can lay claim to the best male and female handballers in the World with current Mens World Champion Paul Brady from Cavan who has won an unprecedented four World titles in a row and Antrim’s Aisling Reilly reigning Ladies World Champion. There are not many sports in Ireland that can say that they have the two World Champions in their ranks so it naturally is something GAA Handball is incredibly proud of.
2015 – What lies in store?
In 2015 GAA Handball Ireland will look to send an elite Team Ireland to compete in the 2015 World Handball Championships in Calgary in Canada in August. With Paul Brady looking to claim an astonishing fifth title in a row and Antrim’s Aisling Reilly looking to defend her Ladies title Ireland can be quietly confident of taking home the Gold once more despite determined challenges from players all around the World. On the domestic front our competitions continue to grow in numbers and as a sport we can look forward to further growth in 2015.
Are you up for the Challenge?
If anyone is interested in the excitement or the challenge of playing the different codes of Handball, then don’t hesitate to contact the National Office who will help you find your nearest Handball club from the hundreds all over Ireland.
Twitter: @GAA_Handball
Email: info.handball@gaa.ie
Telephone: +353 (0) 1819 2385
Visit our website www.gaahandball.ie
Nov 26, 2014
New Global Sport Network launches in Dublin
World Sport Team, a volunteer-driven non-profit organisation on a mission to provide sportspeople across the world with a supportive network, was launched in Dublin on Wednesday 26th November.
The newly-established network aims to build a member base which will provide support to those who suffer debilitating injuries through partaking in sport. Through global fundraising and awareness programmes, the charity organisation aims to reach out to families and friends of sportspeople, amateur or otherwise, who have suffered catastrophic injury, as well as the injured themselves.
Barry Geraghty and Paul Galvin are both on board!
World Sports Team founder Eamonn Sayers said: “World Sports Team is the team every sportsperson supports. We aim to provide those who suffer catastrophic injury playing sport with a willing hand to help them through whatever difficulties they face. My cousin suffered a catastrophic injury playing sport and from my experience I realised there has to be a better way of supporting fellow sportspeople. I do not want any family to have to go through what we went through then. Ireland has given many gifts to the sporting world and we hope this can be another one that benefits people the world over”.
The global support network already has the support of an array of sporting stars including former Leinster, Irish & Lions player Brian O’Driscoll, jockey Barry Geraghty and former Kerry inter-county star Paul Galvin, amongst others.
I’ve joined the team……. Have you?
So what can I do?
It’s really simple. Just log on to the website – www.worldsportsteam.org and #JointheTeam. By signing up (it takes 30 seconds) and spreading the word to your friends, colleagues and team mates, you will join the team that everyone should support.
Eamonn finished with a simple message: “The organisation is free to join for anyone involved in sport across the world. Regardless of what code you play or what country you play it in, sporting injuries affect everyone and with World Sports Team, we hope to make a positive difference in the lives of those who are so unfortunate as to have to deal with a debilitating injury through sport”.
Website – www.worldsportsteam.org
Twitter – @WorldSportsTeam
Facebook – www.facebook.com/WorldSportsTeam
Nov 21, 2014
Ireland will play their final Guinness Series match tomorrow as they welcome Australia to the Aviva Stadium (KO 4:30pm).
Ireland, as expected, have made a number of changes to the side that won 49-7 last week against a spirited Georgia. Gordon D’Arcy, Simon Zebo and Mike Ross are the only surviving three in the starting XV from last week’s comfortable win. Robbie Henshaw comes in at 13 for what is Ireland’s third centre partnership in as many weeks. As expected frontline players such as Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip and Paul O’Connell have all been drafted in. Rory Best has also been selected at hooker as the Ulsterman has finally been able to shrug off a number of ongoing injury issues.
Recovered in time. Rory Best will start for Ireland at hooker
Australian coach Michael Cheika has resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes from the side that lost last week against an ever improving les bleus in Paris. The Wallabies started poorly in the French capital and although mounted an impressive fight back it was too little too late.
Rugby League convert Israel Folau continues at full back and Brumbies pair Tevita Kuridriani and Matt Toomua combine at centre. Toomua, like many Austalian twelves is an out half by trade. This gives the Wallabies plenty of options and makes them particularly dangerous on second phase ball. Cheika has gone with the Super Rugby winning half back pairing of Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley while blindside flanker Sean McMahon drops out of the squad and is replaced by Luke Jones. Captain Michael Hooper and the Western Force’s Ben McCalman make up the backrow playing at seven and eight respectively. Will Genia, Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale will give Cheika plenty of options off the bench and they all have the ability to completely change the direction of a game.
Potential danger! Genia, Cooper & Beale
Player Watch:
Gordon D’Arcy – one of Ireland’s most experienced players
Ireland: Every player from 1-23 has an integral role to play if Ireland are to come out on top but Ireland need Gordon D’Arcy to count on all his experience in particular. The Leinster man will have to lend a hand to Robbie Henshaw at times as he continues his development at the top level. The home side cannot expect to win with just a good defensive effort, as they must use a similar template to the one against the All Blacks last November if they are to finish with a win. Expect a big performance from the inside centre!
First timer! Henry Speight will make his test debut
Australia: The Wallabies possess a number of dangerous and attacking players. Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Tevita Kurindriani all have an ability to have teams huddled over their own goal line scratching their heads and wondering how they got there. Captain Michael Hooper too is fast becoming one of the best flankers in the business but it is Henry Speight that could break Irish hearts, with the Brumbies winger earning his first test cap tomorrow. With this in mind, one may be forgiven for thinking this could be an area for Ireland to exploit, however this couldn’t be further from the truth. Explosive, quick and an ability to read the game, Speight has probably been the best player in Super Rugby not to be capped internationally in the last number of years. Residency rules has meant the Fijian born flyer has had to bide his time. Expect this to be the start of a long international career.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Gordon D’Arcy, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Rhys Ruddock, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Paul O’Connell, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Dave Foley, 20 Tommy O’Donnell, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Felix Jones.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridriani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Luke Jones, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Saia Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Benn Robinson, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Jake Schatz, 21 Will Genia, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Kick-off: 16:30
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television match official: Eric Gauzins (France)
Timekeeper: Kevin Beggs (Ireland)
Nov 20, 2014
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD, announced the winners of the National Volunteers in Sport Awards at an awards ceremony in the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, 19th November.
The Volunteers in Sport Awards 2014 are presented by the Federation of Irish Sport, the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, the Irish Sports Council and the Community Foundation of Ireland.
First held in 2007, the objective of the national awards programme is to honour ten individuals as representatives of the huge body of volunteers in sport who give of their time in various capacities through the structure of sports clubs and groups to sport in Ireland.
Speaking at the awards ceremony Minister Michael Ring TD said: ‘The work of volunteers is the foundation on which sport in Ireland is built – without volunteers there would be no sport in Ireland. These awards allow us to honour some of the real heroes of Irish sport working behind the scenes. Volunteers are a vital part of every club and sporting organisation around the country and are doing wonderful work for sport in their communities.’
Ten winners were selected to receive an award from the nominations received. A Lifetime Achievement award was also presented to Sean Naughton. Minister Michael Ring commented: ‘At eighty one years of age Sean remains active in athletics and can regularly be seen in the indoor stadium mentoring, encouraging and coaching young athletics and coaches alike. His lifetime voluntary contribution to sport at a local, national and international level makes him an ideal candidate for the life time achievement award.’
Sarah O’Connor, Chief Executive of the Federation of Irish Sport commented “Irish Sport is hugely dependent on the volunteer. Without them, many of the 2.8 million people who partake in Sport in Ireland simply would not have the opportunity to do so. These awards give us an opportunity to say thank you to a small representative group from this hugely significant workforce, the value of which in economic terms has been estimated at up to €3 billion per year”.
John Treacy, CEO Irish Sports Council said “Volunteers play a vital role in sustaining the high level of sporting activity in Ireland with all the associated health and social benefits, and contribute significantly to the development of sport in Ireland. The commitment, dedication and leadership of Ireland’s sporting volunteers, allows athletes and communities to participate in sport all around the country”.
The award winners were selected by a committee chaired by Dr. Ronnie Delany. Also on the committee were representatives from the Federation of Irish Sport, the Irish Sports Council, the Irish Times, RTE and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The winners at the National Volunteers in Sport Awards 2014 are as follows:
Tony Cummins – Adult Coach Award
Tony was nominated for his contribution to sport in Gailltir, Co. Waterford and in particular to Camogie and has been a volunteer in the club since 1958. Tony has guided, managed and influenced three generations of families throughout three different parishes over a 56 year period and is broadly recognised as an individual whose personal intervention has contributed to many achievements for a vast number of people and their families in the area.
Tony Hehir – Adult Manager Award
Tony has contributed in all aspects in the sport of basketball for approximately 30 years.
Tony’s work has had a major impact on the promotion of Basketball as a sport in Limerick and across Ireland. Tony continuously works with everyone in the community to get people involved in the club including children with disabilities. The club promotes participation with all kids and provide multiple teams at each age group to ensure that everyone gets games throughout the year.
Patrick Akpoveta – Youth Coach Award
Patrick has been a Special Olympics Volunteer since 2003 and has volunteered in the Special Olympics World Summer Games. Patrick has also coached Basketball and Football teams in various age groups in Ballyfermot and Inchicore and founded Adamstown United FC, a school boy football club in Adamstown, Lucan in 2011. Patrick actively volunteers his time as a coach and manager in the club which caters for 50 children from diverse background playing in the schoolboys South Dublin Football League.
Paddy Christie – Youth Manager Award
Even in his days as Dublin’s full back, Paddy was coaching children’s teams and managed a team that went on to win two Dublin U-21 titles. Paddy started an U10’s team seven years ago, winning the All Ireland under 14 feile title. Paddy also serves on the juvenile committee and is a supporter of all the teams within the club, he still manages the team that won the All-Ireland and are now at minor (U-18) level. Paddy is at the heart of the volunteerism continuously working tirelessly in the background.
Danielle Keane – Community Administrator Award
Danielle is a role model for volunteerism in sport and although is actively playing Danielle continues to give so much back to her community. At Park Ratheniska Danielle is Treasurer along with playing senior football and coaching U8/10’s, U16’s and minor to a county Final in 2013. In basketball Danielle plays competitively and is the fundraising chairperson in the club along with coaching underage. Danielle also plays with the Laois Ladies Senior Football Panel.
Mary Sharp – National Administrator Award
Mary Sharp has been the epicentre of Leinster and Irish cricket for over 38 years. Within the Leinster Cricket Union Mary has served in nearly every possible role and currently occupies the position of Honorary Secretary, a demanding role she has fulfilled with outstanding loyalty, enthusiasm and diligence for many years. On a national level Mary and been instrumental in the running of Ireland’s premier club competition – the Irish Senior Cup and, in recent years, the Irish National Cup. Mary was named as the first ever recipient of the ‘Outstanding contribution to Irish cricket’ award, which was presented at the 2013 Cricket Ireland Awards and in January of this year.
Shane Carolan – Disabilities Sport Volunteer Award
Shane Carolan has been involved with Special Olympics Leinster since September 2007 and has made a significant impact at both local and national level. Shane has developed the unique sport of Motor Activities Training Programme (MATP) in Special Olympics Leinster. MATP is focused on the development of fundamental motor skills and is designed for athletes who have not yet gained the necessary skills for participation in structured sports training. Shane is currently responsible for overseeing 24 head coaches across 14 sports and a further 95 Coach Chaperones, assisting the 300 athletes attending the Games.
Ernie Deacy – Sporting Official Award
Over the last 20 Ernie has made a huge voluntary contribution to athletics. Ernie has coached athletes to win All-Ireland gold medals in seven different disciplines with athletes ranging in age from 8 to 18. 15 of his athletes Ernie has coached have between them won over 60 All-Ireland Gold Medals. One of the athletes Ernie coached won a silver medal in the Athens Paralympics Games and a bronze medal in the world Paralympics championship in the previous year.
Sean Naughton – Lifetime Achievement Award
Sean Naughton has made an immense and continuous contribution to Irish athletics for more than half a century at a national & international level. Sean started the Community Games athletics in Nenagh in 1972, his foresight of splitting the town into three areas, resulted in the involvement of an entire community as each child sought to represent their neighbourhood in the town games.
At eighty one years of age Sean remains active in Athletics and is a committee member of Nenagh Olympic Athletic Club and can be regularly seen in the indoor stadium mentoring, encouraging and coaching young athletes and coaches alike.
Peggy Mason – Special Recognition Award
Peggy Mason has dedicated her immense energy and passion to helping individuals, organisations and communities with intellectual disability. Peggy has been a Special Olympics Volunteer since 1985 and set up the South Dublin Gymnastic Club in 1991 with two other parents and the club is still thriving today. Peggy with her daughter Sile set up a Special Olympic Bowling Club in 1998, which has 55 athletes. In addition Peggy provides transport to four Special Olympic athletes to enable them to train with the Bowling Club each week. Peggy has been a volunteer with the Dundrum Arch Club for 35 years which is a social club for people with Intellectual Disabilities that meets every week and caters for adults age 16 . Peggy is a keen Ten Pin bowler and is still competing in the Ladies Leagues.
