‘Planning for Performance’ was the core focus of the first 2018-19 Isle of Man Sport Aid Academy workshop, which took place on Friday.
Some of the Island’s most promising athletes alongside their parents and coaches joined together at St Ninian’s Lower School for the first session of the new modular-led, rather than theme-led, programme.
In the core ‘Planning for Performance’ workshop, attendees were given a practical and fun exercise to build a tower using spaghetti, jelly babies, marshmallows and a balloon!! The challenge was to build the highest tower but the main purpose of the exercise was to illustrate the importance of planning, assembling all your resources and looking for additional help and support.
The athletes were then able to attend either ‘Confidence’, ‘Nutrition for Training Weeks’ or ‘Physical Demands of your Sport’ as a second workshop, whichever they felt was most relevant to their perceived needs and goals.
Building on the information shared throughout 2017-18, the new programme will start the process of self-determined learning for the athletes; a key aspect on their journey.
Isle of Man Sport Aid Sports Performance Coordinator Chris Quine said: ‘After months of careful planning and listening to and acting upon feedback of those involved with the initiative, we are delighted to launch the further developed Sport Aid Academy programme.
‘The Academy strives to provide an honest, supportive and inspiring environment within which young people, their parents and coaches can develop their understanding of self, in relation to their individual roles and responsibilities and the behaviours and skills required to move forward with a career in sport.
‘We are passionate about helping these athletes to develop and progress in their sporting career and look forward to another year working with such an impressive group of young people.
‘Once again I would like to thank our sponsors SMP Partners and Newfield who make it possible for Sport Aid Academy to go ahead.’
Mark Denton, Managing Director of SMP Partners, said: ‘We are delighted to once again support the Sport Aid Academy and look forward to the newly-designed programme. Chris and the team have put a lot of effort into ensuring the initiative is beneficial to the athletes, parents and coaches and I have no doubt that the workshops will play a significant role in helping those working towards becoming an elite athlete.’
Mark Reynolds, Director at Newfield, added: ‘Sport Aid Academy is a fantastic sporting programme that we thoroughly enjoy being involved with, watching as the young athletes progress and develop over the course of each year. The first workshop got off to a great start and set a precedent for the year ahead.’
