On Saturday and Sunday, over one hundred and thirty young athletes and coaches from across the province attended the first series of the 2011 ‘Rising Stars’ Regional Coaching Squad training days. Four venues UJ, Belfast; Templemore, Derry; Abbey Voc School, Donegal Town and Shercock, Co Cavan had lower than normal turnouts. The re arranged All Ireland XC in Tullamore found many of the middle distance athletes absent. The content of the this two hours and fourth get together for the groups included a presentation/discussion on ‘You are what you eat and drink’ and practical sessions led by experienced coaches in sprints and throws/shot putt.

The coaches delivering the sessions were very impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment shown by all the young athletes in attendance and by the personal coaches and parents who observed and assisted at the various venues. The ‘Rising Stars’ squad imitative, promoted and ran in partnership between Athletics Northern Ireland and Athletics Ireland R.D.O.’s Elaine Mc Caffery and Eamon Harveys find the youngsters and their coaches coming together for eight event specific coaching sessions and for two multi events competitions between Sept 2010 and the end April 2011.

A word of Thanks

_to the management of the various venues i.e. University of Ulster at Jordanstown; Templemore, Derry/Londonderry; Tir Chonaill Athletics Club, and Shercock Athletics Club for putting their facilities at the disposal of the squads.

_to the various coaches who gave of their time and expertise at the four venues.

Rising Stars Shercock 2010-2011

Donegal Town October

Donegal Town Rising Stars 2010-2011

Next up -First Competition
The first Rising Stars Competition is on Sat 5th February 2011. The competition will be a Sportshall Athletics format and everyone will compete in four events i.e. 2 Lap Race, Standing Long Jump, Chest Push Throw(2kg Medball) and 5 Lap Race. There will be prizes for the best All Round Girl and Boy of the Competition as well as individual event winners (Boy & Girl) and the Best Region. Please note change of Venue Below.

Date: Saturday 5th February 2011

Venue: Cookstown Leisure Centre

Time: 1.30-5pm (Please arrive @ 1.30pm Sharp

Please wear your Rising Stars T-Shirt and dark shorts for the competition as well as footwear with appropriate support and grip for an indoor Sportshall.

Please bring a packed lunch to keep you fully fuelled throughout the day. No fizzy drinks or Cans.

Looking forward to watching you compete on the day.

Kind Regards,
Elaine McCaffrey/Eamon Harvey

Northern Ireland/Ulster ‘Rising Stars’ Dates 2010 – 2011

Donegal Town and Shercock Dates

	Month	Sat	Sunday	Comments
1	Sept 2010	25th Donegal Town	26th Shercock	10.30 -1pm
2	Oct 2010	9th Donegal Town	10th Shercock	10.45 -1pm
3	Nov 2010	13th Shercock	14th Donegal Town	10.45 -1pm
4	Dec 2010	18th Shercock	19th Donegal Town	10.45 -1pm
5	Jan 2011	15th Donegal Town	16th Shercock	10.45 -1pm
6	Feb 2011	26th Donegal Town	27th Shercock	10.45 -1pm
7	Mar 2011	19th Shercock	20th Donegal Town	10.45 -1pm
8	April 2011	9th Shercock	10th Donegal Town	10.45 -1pm
Indoor Competition-Cookestown Leisure Centre Sat. Feb 5th 2011 – Multi event Outdoor competition & BBQ Sat April 30th 2011 -All rounder Belfast [U.U. Jordanstown] and Derry/Londonderry [Templemore] dates
	Month	Sat	Sunday	Comments
1	October	2nd UUJ	Sept 26th Derry	2pm -4pm
2	Oct 2010	9th UUJ	Oct 10th Derry	2pm -4pm
3	Nov 2010	13th UUJ	Nov 14th Derry	2pm -4pm
4	Dec 2010	18th UUJ	Dec 19th Derry	2pm -4pm
5	Jan 2011	15th UUJ	Jan 16th Derry	2pm -4pm
6	Feb 2011	26th UUJ	Feb 27th Derry	2pm -4pm
7	Mar 2011	19th UUJ	Mar 20th Derry	2pm -4pm
8	April 2011	9th UUJ	April 10th Derry	2pm -4pm