National Development Programme at Emirates Indoor Arena

This weekend saw an exciting coaching workshop take place at the Emirates Indoor Arena, which offered the chance to meet true world class coaches and athletes, like the British sprinter former 60m indoor world champion Dwain Chambers, London gold medalist in the triple jump Christian Taylor and  American hurdler Danellie Carruthers, who won silver at the world championships in 2011.

On Saturday morning coaches had the opportunity to observe these athletes doing their routine warm exercises, doing a few 100m sprints and cool down exercises. This was an interactive workshop were coaches were invited to address any questions addressed to the athletes and their coach Rana Raider. Questions ranged from typical training programmes, preparation for major competitions and to more general questions like dieting etc.

 

The afternoon session offered a special treat, as the three athletes reversed the role and acted as a coach for a few selected youngsters offering practical advice about their various events. This proved to be particular helpful as the top class athletes were able to combine their technical knowledge with real competition/training experience, such as correct use of lead and trail leg.

Danielle Carruthers offering advice about correct posture regarding the trail leg

David Parker, former World Junior Champion in the javelin event, who now works as a strength and conditioning coach, gave a practical workshop about conditioning the young athlete. David followed his practical session later up with a  presentation about general conditioning taking into consideration the needs of a developing athlete, in particular a javelin thrower.

Malcolm Brown, who coached the Brownlee brothers to gold and bronze at London 2012 in the Triathlon event offered a workshop about endurance based sports, using the successful methods he applied for the training regime on the Brownlee brothers.

Overall this was a highly educational, partly practical and also entertaining event which was free to all registered Scottish coaches. Scottish Athletics also outlined their coaching programme for the next 2 years, which interestingly mentions Ayrshire Athletics Arena as the base for all upcoming javelin workshops. So Kilmarnock Harrier’s recent  investment in half a dozen (expensive) indoor javelins proves to be beneficial after all.

Kilmarnock Harriers was represented by two coaches at this event, Connel Drummond and Harald Bartl, who took full advantage of this unique opportunity to come close to world class athletes and also appreciated a free lunch paid by Scottish Athletics.

autographs of 3 world class athletes with best wishes to Kilmarnock Harriers from three world class athletes.