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Performance Sport
Updated 27 June 2007
While
sport is about fun and enjoyment, many people have a desire to improve their
sporting performance, maximise their potential and possibly achieve publicly
recognised success.
Realising
these aspirations involves a combination of many factors such as ability,
determination, opportunity and appropriate support.
The aim of the performance sport team is to make sure that the best
conditions are available to enable talented individuals to climb their own performance ladder. For
some this will stretch from the playground to the podium of sporting
success.
Top
sports performers testify that their success has not just been due to their own
ability. In
order to reach their optimum performance they have relied upon the right mix of
a number of factors.
Some of the most important factors, aside from personal ability, are:
Coaching
– available and of high quality
Competition
– available at the right level
Facilities
– accessible and of appropriate quality
Support
- lifestyle management, financial support, sport
science and medicine support,
drug awareness education,
family and friends
Effective
structures – governing
bodies, facility providers, etc.
Many
of these factors are in place in Northern Ireland but they are not always
widespread. We
want to improve this situation so that people can indeed reach their optimum
level of performance if so desired.
The action programme set out within the NI
Strategy for the Development of Sport can best be summarised by the words of
Forbes Carlisle, an Australian Swimming Coach:
“aim
not to create a champion but create a situation in which champions become
inevitable.”
The
Performance Sport team works with a wide range of agencies including the Sports Institute for Northern Ireland, governing bodies of
sport, local authorities and the Sports Councils in the UK, England, Scotland,
Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
The key areas of work currently include:
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The
development of a new Strategy for Sport in Northern Ireland.
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Working
in partnership with the Sports Institute for Northern Ireland, governing bodies of sport and local authorities to develop
the Long Term Athlete Development Model in Northern Ireland and ensure there are systems in place to identify and develop talented young people.
-
Providing
performance planning guidance and advice to governing bodies of sport.
- Supporting governing bodies of sport in reviewing their structures, policies and practices to ensure they are able to manage their sports effectively.
-
Managing
financial Awards made towards the implementation of governing body and other
performance sport development programmes.
-
Supporting
the development of sports science, sports medicine and anti-doping programmes
and working with the relative agencies to ensure appropriate support structures
for elite and potentially elite performers.
- Ensuring ethical sport through working with governing bodies to manage drug-free sports and the protection of children and vulnerable adults policies and practices.
Details of officers working in the Performance Sport Team are provided below with a broad definition of their main areas of responsibility:
Jill Poots
Performance Sport Team Manager
Areas of Responsibility:
Performance Sport Team Management
Investing in Governing Body Plans: Rugby, GAA, Camogie
Athlete Support Programme
Events Programme
Workforce Development
Email: jillpoots@sportni.net
Norma Bowman
Performance Consultant
Areas of Responsibility:
Governing Body Plans/Athlete Support/Events Programmes: Archery, Golf, Hockey, Judo and Sailing
Sport NI Youth Games
UK School Games
Email: normabowman@sportni.net
Kelli Boyles
Performance Consultant
Areas of Responsibility:
Governing Body Plans/Athlete Support/Events Programmes: Basketball, Bowls, Boxing, Gymnastics, Netball and Volleyball
Modernisation
Email: kelliboyles@sportni.net
Robin Gregg
Talent Development Consultant
Areas of Responsibility:
Talent Identification and Development
Athlete Support Programme: Waterskiing, Surfing
Email: robingregg@sportni.net
Paul Johnston
Performance Consultant
Areas of Responsibility:
Governing Body Plans/Athlete Support/Events Programmes: Athletics, Fencing, Rowing, Shooting, Swimming and TaeKwondo
Performer Development Centres
Email: pauljohnston@sportni.net
Mike McClure
Countryside Recreation Development Officer
Areas of Responsibility:
Governing Body Plans/Athlete Support/Events Programmes: Canoeing, Equestrian Sports, Fitness, Mountaineering and Orienteering
Email: mikemcclure@sportni.net
Chris Moore
Performance Consultant
Areas of Responsibility:
Governing Body Plans/Athlete Support/Events Programmes: Badminton, Cricket, Cycling, Squash, Table Tennis and Tennis
Long Term Athlete Development
Email: chrismoore@sportni.net
Simon Toole
Development Assistant
Email: simontoole@sportni.net
Ryan Lennox
Development Assistant
Email: ryanlennox@sportni.net
Maxine Campbell
Development Assistant
Email: maxinecampbell@sportni.net
Andrea McKittrick
Business Support Officer
Email: andreamckittrick@sportni.net
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