IWA Sport have launched The Staying Active Initiative which involves several online and virtual programmes. These programmes allow IWA-Sport to stay engage with their members in a meaningful capacity. This initiative aims to support health & wellbeing of the members.
Operation Transformation
The IWA-Sport Operation Transformation kicked off on the 18th of January 2021. The 6- week programme saw almost 100 sign ups. Participants from all over the country received a welcome pack including resources such as resistance bands and wellness questionnaires.
Every week had a different theme. Over the course of the programme members were motivated and challenged to create healthy habits, explore different routes for activity in their area, practice gratitude and self-care. 3 times a week they also put in a great effort to take part in tough exercise classes with coach Alan Dineen and relaxing Yoga & Meditation with Meabh Smith.
The programme is now into the 5th week and members have signed up for the nationwide Operation Transformation virtual 5k. The 5k challenge is running on the 18th, 19th & 20th of February. Members will walk, push or run the virtual 5k. Well done to everyone who is taking part!
Virtual Club Sessions
Multi-Sport Junior Club Members from IWA have been training very hard since the 23rd of January 2021. Fun physical activity sessions have been running on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings for our junior club members ages 5-15. All the participants have been putting in a great effort over the last number of weeks in different exercise sessions. There are members taking part from all corners of the country. Some have been reunited with their club mates and have even met people from different clubs who they may have not met before. Everyone is looking forward to the next session!
Spring into Fitness
The IWA-Sports Centre in Clontarf are starting a 6-week programme for their members on the 22nd of February 2021. As gyms unfortunately remain closed, the Virtual Spring into Fitness programme aims to continue to support members and help them reach their health & wellness goals. Members will have check ins and catch ups with sports centre staff and will also take part in live exercise classes and home workouts. Everyone involved is really looking forward to getting started!
Oliver Murphy Youth Leadership Programme
The Oliver Murphy Youth Leadership programme begins on Tuesday March 2nd and will run for 10 weeks. IWA members between the ages of 18 and 23 will undertake online training in leadership skills that can be applied to a variety of settings. The programme aims to support our young members with leadership skills that may benefit on a personal and social basis. Participants will develop competencies in a multitude of skills including communication, relationship building planning and problem-solving. They will also develop inspiration, vision, confidence, and action plans needed to be effective leaders. The outcome of this project will see participants become empowered to lead among their peers and become advocates for the work of IWA and disability issues through a structured education programme.
Senior Athlete Training Support Programme
On the 2nd of March 2021, IWA Sport will be commencing the 6-week Senior Athlete Training Support Programme. Members from Senior Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair rugby, Para-powerlifting and para-athletics are invited to take part in this online training programme. Over the 6 weeks, athletes will complete training with Coach Alan Dineen. They will also be attending online educational evenings which will include guest speakers covering a variety of topics such as nutrition, physical therapy, recovery, sports psychology, and mental health.
Introduction to Coaching Wheelchair Rugby Course on 30-1-21
On the 30th of January 2021 Our Coach Education, Technical and Events Officer Emily Norton delivered the introduction to coaching wheelchair course. The sold-out course saw 12 attendees (6 male and 6 female). In addition, Sport Ireland CEDO Declan O’Leary was in attendance. Attendees included IWA-Sport members/volunteers, external NGB’s (i.e. IRFU and Cork IT) as well as other sport enthusiasts. Feedback gathered was great “Overall excellent course. The content was great and the course very enjoyable.” “I would definitely think more about how we communicate as coaches”
Esports
IWA-Sport are proud to partner with Ireland Esports to host our first FIFA 21 PlayStation Championships, providing a space for all IWA and IWA-Sport members aged 18+ to engage in virtual competition. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 13th and the finals will be played the following Saturday, March 20th. Registration for the tournament is free and the winner will receive a football jersey from their favourite team. By hosting this tournament, we’ll be offering a fun platform for our members to engage and interact together, while competing for the right to be crowned IWA-Sport FIFA 21 champion.
Manchester Para Powerlifting World Cup 2021
There is plans for x2 Irish athletes to compete in the Manchester Para Powerlifting World Cup 2021 from the 25-28th March. Both athletes achieved their current rankings at the same competition back in 2020 and will hope to compete this year to improve current rankings and meet Toyko 2020 qualification criteria, due to take place in August. To meet Tokyo qualification criteria, an athlete must rank within the top eight (8) in the world in their bodyweight category (listed on the World Para Powerlifting Paralympic ranking list).
- Britney Arendse current ranks 5th in the world in the up to 67kg female category
- Nicola Dore currently ranks 6th in the world in the up to 61kg female category
This event is one of the final Tokyo Paralympic qualification opportunities and is recognised by the UK Government as an Elite Sport Event, permitted to go ahead under a special exemption. We have no doubt the event will be very different to the competition attended last year but we acknowledge the efforts of the LOC to ensure the essential measures are being put in place to stage the event. Our attendance will however depend on the constantly changing COVID situation.
Please see IWA-Sport social media for further updates.