2014 England Athletics Northern Coaching Conference

England Athletics’ 2014 Northern Coaching Conference will focus on supporting Group Leaders and coaches to develop their knowledge, practice and skill to move ‘from Good to Great’.

Through a series of workshops and seminars the event will present the perfect opportunity for the wider England Athletics family to come together and help improve what we do through sharing best practice as well as having the opportunity to explore concepts through practical sessions.

LiRF>CiRF: Delivering engaging sessions for a mixed ability group

This one hour 50 minute practical-based session will explore concepts of how to keep sessions fresh and engaging for a mixed-ability adult group. Based on feedback given by active Group Leaders, this workshop is built around the main components of a running group session with a specific focus on warm up and cool down activities incorporating some of the science behind the practice. Tutors will provide delegates with information and advice on how to develop components of sessions, such as simple strategies to incorporate fitness and injury screening. Ultimately, delegates will leave this workshop with clear ideas of the key characteristics of what makes a good session great!

One of the lead tutors for this workshop is Sam Barlow who is the Founder of Fitmums & Friends – a large club which started in 2009 with five women running in an East Yorkshire village and now supports 300 members (men, women and children) across three running groups. Sam completed her Leadership in Running Fitness qualification in 2010 and since then she has proven that it is possible to achieve great things as a Group Leader, so why not come and learn from her experiences and share her leadership concepts on how to engage a mixed-ability group.

If you like the sound of this workshop or wish to learn more about the workshops on offer at this year’s Northern Coaching Conference, please click here (the deadline for booking is 24 September).

LiRF>CiRF: Developing your leadership craft

This one hour 50 minute theory-based session will explore the step change from Leadership in Running Fitness (LiRF) to Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF). The tutors will guide delegates through some of the fundamental differences from Leader to Coach level in running. Delegates will gain a deeper understanding of the science behind developing runners in a group setting as well as an insight into what the expectations are of a Leader making the next step up to Coach. For experienced Group Leaders, this workshop is ideal for those looking to build on their existing knowledge and develop their sessions from good to great!

One of the lead tutors for this workshop is Emma Slater-Clayton who is an experienced British Athletics Tutor and Sport & Exercise Science graduate from Sheffield Hallam University. Emma has a wide range of skills and knowledge of the dynamics of group leadership. She was part of the pilot city development team for England Athletics and has also been involved in shaping the recreational programme for Sheffield as part of the City Council’s Active programme.

If you like the sound of this workshop or wish to learn more about the workshops on offer at this year’s Northern Coaching Conference, please click here (the deadline for booking is 24 September).