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Athletics Ireland - News - Series of changes already implemented since London 2012 ©Athletics Ireland
Athletics Ireland – News – Series of changes already implemented since London 2012
Athletics Ireland today, 14th of March, welcomed the publication of the Olympic Games review 2012. Athletics Ireland had requested this comprehensive review of its participation in the games in London.
Commenting on the report President Ciarán O’Catháin said that Athletics Ireland had, since last summer, already made considerable progress and implemented many of the recommendations contained in the report. “The review highlights many positives from our experiences at the games in London as well as a number of learnings, many of which we have already actioned since the summer of 2012”, Mr O’Catháin said.
“The most fundamental plank in attaining more success on the international stage in the future is the development and implementation of a High Performance Plan”. “Our High Performance Director, Kevin Ankrom is finalising the Association’s first ever systems based High Performance plan which we believe will deliver on the great potential for success in the sport in the coming years and this plan will be rolled out in the coming months”, he added.
“The success of the team last week in Gothenburg demonstrates the potential we have in Ireland and by Athletics Ireland investing heavily in the systems and structures which are proven worldwide we will maximise this potential over the longer term through this High Performance programme”, said O’Catháin. The association is also committing additional resources and focus in the area of stakeholder relations and communications. “We have made changes in our communications and will continue to work to bring more professionalism and consistency to this area”, the President said.
Athletics Ireland CEO, John Foley said “as CEO, I know how important it is to improve not just the results and performances but also the reputation and image of Athletics Ireland”. “As an organisation, we have been working hard to bring a higher level of effectiveness to our communications with all our stakeholders”, Foley added. “Like many governing bodies, we are going through a change process and this is challenging for those involved in the sport and for the organisation itself”, he said.
“As the review document acknowledged, the way forward is to pursue and embrace a change to a more systems and process based approach and these structural reforms will, in time, increase our opportunities for success”, the CEO said. “We are committed to setting out our vision more clearly with all our key stakeholders as we continue to implement the changes we believe will make a difference in our success levels over the next decade”, Foley said.
Athletics Ireland High Performance Director Kevin Ankrom said the report is highlighting many areas where the association already had targeted since last year. “I would acknowledge that we have all learnt a great deal from London 2012, myself included”, Mr Ankrom said. “While the review was quite operationally focussed, the role of high performance is to concentrate on the systems and processes required to improve the strategic approach to success in our sport over the medium to long term”, he added.
“We are currently finalising our new High Performance Plan and I’m confident that the vision set out and the programmes and systems outlined to support that vision will make a real difference in the years ahead”, he said.
“The issue of communications is something I have been working hard on and will continue to focus on particularly as we roll out our high performance plans during the rest of this year”, Ankrom said
CEO Foley concluded by saying “this is a pivotal time for athletics and for Athletics Ireland and our focus now is to learn from the past as we continue to develop a pathway to improve the sport and the organisation over the next number of years”.
Athletics Ireland – News
The Olympic Review is available on the Irish Sports Council’s website at www.irishsportscouncil.ie
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