Athletics NI, in partnership with Ulster University - aim to bridge the gap between their Rising Stars and Youth Academy initiatives by creating an environment for young athletes (aged 15-21) to supplement their current club training with appropriate speed development and physical preparation sessions.
We aim to build robust young athletes with physical competency, good sprint mechanics and elasticity to help them to fulfil their athletic potential. We aim to expose young athletes and their coaches to what we believe to be best practice athletic development sessions and increase the number of athletes exposed to content designed for Athletics NI's Youth Academy.
We hope that this will increase the level of athlete emerging to enter Youth Academy and Ulster University Athletics Club in future years.
Ulster University Speed-Power Academy will run throughout the year, starting in October 2018 based at the Jordanstown Campus on Friday afternoons for a maximum of 15 selected athletes (by application via the following online questions).
Sessions include:
-Track-based Speed Development (4.30-5.30pm) - Dynamic Warm-Up, Introduction to Plyometrics, Acceleration Mechanics/Maximum Velocity Running, Foot and Ankle Conditioning.
and
-Gym-based Strength & Conditioning Sessions (5.30-6.30pm) - Safe introduction to load in Functional Strength Exercises including; Squat, Push, Pull and Single Leg Strengthening. Additionally, introduction to Posterior Chain and Trunk Strengthening Exercises.