Forum to focus on coaching in far north
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ATHLETES who have competed at international level are among the guest speakers at a forthcoming weekend sports forum to be held in Thurso.
They will give their views on how coaching techniques can be improved to produce more sport stars from Caithness.
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games shooter Sarah Henderson and Island Games badminton silver medallist Shona Mackay are to headline What Makes an Athlete at UHI North Highland College on April 16 and 17.
Five speakers have been assembled to talk to athletes, coaches and parents on what can be done to further the development of sportsmen and women based in the far north.
Thurso Community Sports Hub (TCSH) has organised the event for the second time as part of its remit to improve the level of coaching and support in the area.
TCSH co-ordinator Sophie Dunnett believes resources available to athletes in Caithness are not being utilised to their potential.
She said the aim of the weekend is to help educate those involved in supporting athletes by making them aware of what is available to help improve coaching methods.
"Supporting coaches is one of the main aims of TCSH, and this conference plays a big part in doing that," she said.
"We are hoping to attract anyone who is interested in sport, whether they are coaches, parents or officials, to gain information on how to support athletes and how to overcome the challenges they face.
"It is also a chance for people to get together and share good practice skills so they can learn from each other."
Given Caithness has only a population of 27,000, the number of athletes who have and are competing at national and international level is impressive.
Andrew Douglas, from Halkirk, is the current Mountain Running World Series champion while discus thrower Sam O’Kane, also from Halkirk, is in contention for a place at the British Olympic Trials.
Cyclist Evan Oliphant, from Wick, has competed a record nine times at Tour of Britain and has also represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games while Jamie Henderson from Thurso is a professional squash player ranked 257th in the world.
Caithness rugby players Caitlin Harvey, Katie Mackay and Jayne Paterson have all represented their country at international level at rugby, and a large contingent of surfers from Thurso are members of the current Scotland squad.
Mrs Dunnett said while several of the aforementioned have moved away from the county, athletes have proven it is possible to be based in Caithness and make an impact at national and international level.
She believes if more emphasis is placed on coaches from various sports working together, even more individuals from the far north will have the chance to reach a higher level of performance.
"It doesn’t surprise me how many high class athletes have been produced in Caithness," she said.
"I think the additional effort they need to put in to get to the highest standard gives them a certain degree of resilience.
"In other parts of the country, a good athlete can rely on a network of individuals to help them with coaches and lifestyle transitions.
"What tends to happen up here is a single coach becomes all of these things.
"It’s not impossible for athletes to receive help from a single coach, but it doesn’t mean it is the right way to do it.
"The county has a huge resource of expertise and it is about realising who else is out there as I don’t believe coaches and clubs have that knowledge yet."
Other speakers over the weekend include sports and psychology lecturer Sarah Dunnett; SportScotland institute network manager Chris Hildrey; and British Athletics sport and conditioning coach Scott Simon.
High-Life Highland west of Caithness schools co-ordinator Kenny Russell will also lead an activity leader one-day course to teach people leadership skills to improve participation in sport.
