...FOR EVERY ATHLETE AT EVERY STAGE...
Mission statement:
To deliver a gymnastic-based coaching resource to a wide spectrum of sports in Ireland as well as IG members, helping coaches to maximise athlete potential through developing the core physical literacy skills of gymnastics.
To place Irish Gymnastics in a position of central importance to the development of all sport in Ireland.
The Springboard initiative, funded by Women in Sport (WIS), is to be a gymnastics-based, fun and interactive resource aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the ‘FUNdamental’ phase in the Long Term Athlete/Player Development model promoted by the Coaching Ireland (formerly NCTC).
Background:
It is well appreciated that all aspects of physical fitness are addressed in gymnastics; including strength, endurance, flexibility, balance and agility. Methods used in gymnastics encourage the use of the entire body, not just focusing on either the upper or lower body. Most important is that, of all sports, gymnastics best develops kinaesthetic awareness; the ability to know where the body parts are in space.
While all involved in gymnastics have long appreciated the carry-over skills from gymnastics to other sports, it is only relatively recently that other sports have realised the advantages and potential of gymnastics training to their athletes. IG coaches from around the country have reported many different sports looking for gymnastic-based training advice for their athletes e.g. boxing, athletics, rugby, soccer and many more. To this end, the IG coaching team feels that the springboard initiative will fill this gap in the coaching syllabus of all sports, as well as becoming an additional resource for gymnastics coaches. It is envisaged that Springboard will become a ‘must have’ add on course to the Long Term Player/Athlete Development (LTP/AD) coaching ladder of all sports, promoted and supported by Coaching Ireland and the Irish Sports Council.
In addition to placing Irish Gymnastics in a central position in the development of sport in Ireland, this resource will generate much needed revenue to fund other IG initiatives.
We are proud to announce we have the full backing of Coaching Ireland for this project and are currently in discussions with other partner organisations to ensure Springboard is a huge success.
The programme is in early stages of development so keep an eye on this section of the site for future developments and to keep-up-to-date...
Dr Istvan Bayli - world-renowned expert in Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD)
"Gymnastics is a foundation sport for all other sports. This is because it develops agility, balance, coordination and speed (the ABC's of athleticism). These physical qualities are inherent in all sports. For this reason, all children will benefit from exposure to gymnastics during their first eight years. Participating in gymnastics at an early age, children will acquire "physical literacy", which is the foundation for life-long participation in physical activity and for successful performance at the elite level of sport".
