Athletic Development (14 Hours per week)

Background to our Outdoor facilities

Athlone RSC is one of Irelands leading Fitness facilities and even more so, with the recent addition of its Outdoor Fitness Park. The centre would now like to appoint an Athletic Development Coach who would have responsibility for co- drafting and implementing an agreed strategic vision of the park going forward as well as obviously overseeing the day-to-day operations including coaching.  
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The Park has been financed through funding from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Westmeath County Council & obviously Athlone RSC itself with the Sports Centre alone, investing over €225,000 into its outside facilities over the last 18 months which includes the following facilities.

 

• 5km trail with gradients (which will be floodlight from 2024 onwards)
• 5km flatter route
• Outdoor Gym equipment for Adults
• Outdoor equipment for children
• Climbing Pyramid Net
• Full Size basketball Court (opening 2024)
• Small circular Half basketball court
• Pétanque Area
• Trees/Shrub Planting, Hedge Planting
• Picnic Area
• Tag Zone
• Two 5 a side Soccer Cages
• Sensory Garden
• Playground (Existing)
• Skatepark (Existing)
• Full Size FIH Standard Hockey Pitch (Existing)

 

There is potential to develop more facilities and we have purposely left space for  two further elements, namely the Functional Fitness Area and the family Obstacle Course.  

It is essential that Athlone RSC Fitness Park enhances our community ethos and aim of getting more people active while also contributing commercially to the running costs of our facility.

As you may be aware every euro of profit generated by the Centre goes directly back into the Centre, making Athlone RSC better and better so we can provide our community with the Sports Centre that a community of our size deserves.

 

Job Role itself

• The Position of Job Title is Part time of 14 hours per week and is for an initial 12-month Contract

 

• The successful candidate if suitable has the option of undertaking the second role of Community Hub Co Ordinator for 25 hours per week (to make up full time hours)

 

• Warm personality is a key attribute & successful candidate needs to show they care and are passionate about running/ physical activity, Athlone RSC and the participants, whatever level of ability.
• Responsible for co-drafting and implementing an agreed strategic vision of the park going forward as well as obviously overseeing the day-to-day operations including coaching.
• Enhances Athlone RSC community ethos while also contributing commercially to the running costs of our facility.
• To meet with our aim of getting more people active, Athlone RSC wants to Build a programme for runners and walkers of all speeds and  attract users through a series of individual and group activity including.
  •  
    • Walkers (Older Adult, Active Retirement,)
    • Beginners Couch to 5k / (Running Made easy)
    • Run 4 Fun – 5k onwards.
    • Advanced Running including Speed/Interval Sessions etc  (Very important all groups feel part of same Running Team)
    • Demand for Individual Running Programmes
    • Fix Your Run – Demand for Running Technique improvements.
    • Family Run Family Fit Challenge – free events to get people active over a number of weeks – e.g., Sunday Mornings 
    • Strong Seniors
    • (Utilise Technology, PB’s) where possible.
    • Other groups such as Westmeath Sports Partnership
    • Mother and stroller / mums on the run
    • Off Season Indoor Running Programmes

 

 

 

There are many opportunities available for other Outside events and External groups must obviously book but opportunities for example include.

• Other Running Groups with our Athlone RSC Coaches

 

• Park Runs

 

• Outside charity events

 

• Schools

 

• Athletics Ireland Events / workshops –

 

• Corporate Group
  (a)Wellness Days (b)Block of Training, e.g.8 weeks /10 weeks (c)Events – Athlone Fittest Company

 

• Outside Groups – under our supervision – (a)Local Primary Care – Group    (b)Adult Learning  (c)Active Retirement

 

• events e.g. (a)Easter Run  (b)Green Run – St Patricks (c)Halloween Run (d)Santa Run (e)Colour Run / Glow Run

 

• Some of the above programmes will be seasonal and therefore other outdoor activities will need to be organised within the park e.g.Enhance participation for Outdoor facilities e.g.  Pickleball , Pétanque ,Walking Soccer etc, Basketball Court Activities, 5 as side Soccer Leagues, Table Tennis, Orienteering and Team Events

 

• Create a seasonal master plan for the above activities.

 

• Responsible for Screening & assessment of all participants prior to activity commencing.

 

• Be a Motivator & have good organisation abilities & skills including running events etc within the park.

1.  

 

• Have Running background ideally, with Experience of Meet & Train groups – working across different levels.

 

• Awareness of the standard for each level & Comfortable coaching the technical elements of running

 

• Help runners develop skills, protect their bodies from injury and meet their personal goals.

 

 

Qualifications and Candidate 

• AAI Level 2 would be desirable.
• Ability to use Training peaks or equivalent.
• Be able to use own initiative.
• IT Experience
• Will include some weekend work as well as weekday/evenings.
• Assistant coaches working under your guidance may be needed, depending on success of the programmes.
• The rate of remuneration will depend on experience and class fill rate but will be attractive for both Coaching & Admin rates.

 

Please send cover letter outlining your suitability for the role along with CV to liam@athlonersc.ie

Closing date for Applications is 5pm Friday 8^th  December 2023.