AAI high performance director. What has he done??

NickDrake

What has he done since he was appointed? Anyone know how much he is on?

According to Paul hessions coach on newstalk they are getting no support and no warm weather training being organized .

What exactly has this director being doing apart from collecting his massive pay cheque.

Please fill me in.

Getonwithit

Can I ask you to be more specific? Was that newstalk interview on recently? What things would you like him tohave achieved and then we could start discussing it? As a starting point I would have been intially shocked by how high that standards have been set for variuos events, yet athletes are reaching these levels and there is a depth in Irish athletics that hasnt been there for a few years? Can that be attributed to AAI HP? Just to add as well that Ciaran O Lionaird has been vocal in his support of the system..

TheRoadRunner

NickDrake wrote: »

What has he done since he was appointed? Anyone know how much he is on?

According to Paul hessions coach on newstalk they are getting no support and no warm weather training being organized .

What exactly has this director being doing apart from collecting his massive pay cheque.

Please fill me in.

Maybe you need to email/phone or write him a letter yourself. I'm not sure if he has a boards.ie account!

ecoli

Isn't Hession currently warm weather training in South Africa?

Also when you refer to coach you have to mention whether this interview is recent or not (i.e whether it is Coghlan or Hogg when you say "his coach")

From what I know there have been a fair few warm weather training camps over the last year and most of the athletes I have talked to have referred to them in a positive light

Is there a particular grievance you have with them or is this one of your trademark attacks on Irish athletics which we have grown accustomed to?

TheRoadRunner

ecoli wrote: »

Also when you refer to coach you have to mention whether this interview is recent or not (i.e whether it is Coghlan or Hogg when you say "his coach")

It was Coghlan. Only heard the last 5 minutes so didn't hear him complaining if he did.

ecoli

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

It was Coghlan. Only heard the last 5 minutes so didn't hear him complaining if he did.

Which show was it would be interested to check it out on their site? (rough time would suffice)

emerald007

It was on a bit before nine, so should be at the end of Part 2 for Tuesday 7th

http://www.newstalk.ie/programmes/all/offtheball/listen-back/

Will get the exact minutes when relisten tomorrow in work. I'll do my 'i don't know what a tracker mortgage is?' moment and ask 'I don't know who this Coughlan dude is?' - can someone fill me in?

ecoli

emerald007 wrote: »

It was on a bit before nine, so should be at the end of Part 2 for Tuesday 7th

http://www.newstalk.ie/programmes/all/offtheball/listen-back/

Will get the exact minutes when relisten tomorrow in work. I'll do my 'i don't know what a tracker mortgage is?' moment and ask 'I don't know who this Coughlan dude is?' - can someone fill me in?

Sprint coach based in Dublin who coaches the likes of Brian Murphy, Eoin Mulhall and Ste Colvert and recent Hession made the move to this training group from his previous base in Scotland under Stuart Hogg

TheRoadRunner

ecoli wrote: »

Sprint coach based in Dublin who coaches the likes of Brian Murphy, Eoin Mulhall and Ste Colvert and recent Hession made the move to this training group from his previous base in Scotland under Stuart Hogg

He is also Irish 110 hurdles record holder (13.30) and 60 metre hurdles indoors.

myflipflops

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

He is also Irish 110 hurdles record holder (13.30) and 60 metre hurdles indoors.

No, that's Peter Coghlan.

It's John Coghlan that is coaching Hession.

ecoli

starts about 46 min into part 2

Just after listening to the article. First issue seemed to be about when development athletes were let know about whether they were getting funding.

Also regarding the warm weather camps not being organized yet. It seems more a case of lack of communication of the year plan as opposed to nothing being done which I can understand in terms of an Olympic year forward planning can be crucial.

I dont think there is anything more sinister here as is being suggested regarding Ankrom. His track record of transition of junior athletes in the likes of NZ looks to be great and though I am not aware of how much credit can be given to him looking at the current crop of up and coming talent you can't help but wonder whether he has had any sort of influence on this

Isn't the AAI involved with the Hurdle development group which has yielded huge benefits as of late with the Barrs among others?

TheRoadRunner

myflipflops wrote: »

No, that's Peter Coghlan.

It's John Coghlan that is coaching Hession.

Oops. Thanks, I just assumed it was Peter.

myflipflops

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Oops. Thanks, I just assumed it was Peter.

Would be great to have him involved at some level. That 13.30 is probably the most under rated NR on our books.

NickDrake

Coughaln complained about the planning of training camps. Is that not the Director's job?

I just would like to know if people knew what he has actually done since getting the job?

I remember at the time Ankrom said he job was to improve communication.

I really hope this has been achieved considering this is an Olympic year.

I am just curious as to what has been achieved/organised as I am sure he didn't come cheap.

Just after listening to the interview, I had a few questions.

If there is positive news then great and well done to all.

If a lot has been down to Ankrom, long may it continue. Great to see young talent coming through but O'Lionard has nothing to do with the AAI system as he is under the Nike Progromme.

Getonwithit

O Lionaird is now, in the last half year part of the Nike elite project, true. But he pointedly said in response to thsi story breaking originally (quite some time ago now) that he finds the association helpful, gave an exampleof a late night phone call which was answered and issue dealt with. Just because they train elsewhere doesnt mean an athlete has no contact with National Federations! All the NF can do is help support and put in place structures which allow the athletes to train and perform at a high level. I know of some warm weather camps organised, mainly for walkers. But my impression is that in this case the walkers as a group organised and then approached the Association.Open to correction though..

drquirky

Hey Nick Drake-

Perhaps you could tell us what you've done in Irish Athletics?

NickDrake

drquirky wrote: »

Hey Nick Drake-

Perhaps you could tell us what you've done in Irish Athletics?

What kind of stupid response is that? This has nothing to do with me, so I don’t know why you are having a go at me.

I am asking about a person who is paid to help Irish athletics.

RayCun

NickDrake wrote: »

What kind of stupid response is that?

<mod>
Let me explain something to you.
When a poster turns up with 20 or 30 bans under his belt from a bunch of different forums, we don't think, "Oh, that Nick Drake, bit of a rough diamond isn't he? Still you have to give him some leeway, I suppose..."
We think, "Oh, it's not just us who think this guy regularly abuses other posters", and the benefit of the doubt we might have extended goes in the bin.

No personal abuse.
Don't be a muppet.
</mod>

NickDrake

RayCun wrote: »

<mod>
Let me explain something to you.
When a poster turns up with 20 or 30 bans under his belt from a bunch of different forums, we don't think, "Oh, that Nick Drake, bit of a rough diamond isn't he? Still you have to give him some leeway, I suppose..."
We think, "Oh, it's not just us who think this guy regularly abuses other posters", and the benefit of the doubt we might have extended goes in the bin.

No personal abuse.
Don't be a muppet.
</mod>

I am not the one being the muppet here.

Can we get back on topic please?

gerard65

Bertie can answer that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5QeDp8j7mw

plodder

"Am I a man, or am I a muppet ... "

downthemiddle

NickDrake wrote: »

What has he done since he was appointed? Anyone know how much he is on?

According to Paul hessions coach on newstalk they are getting no support and no warm weather training being organized .

What exactly has this director being doing apart from collecting his massive pay cheque.

Please fill me in.

Slight contradiction in your argument there. However I'll bite.
He is currently reviewing all high performances structures with a view to putting new structures in place. The new elite middle distance squad for juniors is an example of this.
If you are genuinely interested in his work I suggest you contact him directly and ask the relevant questions rather than posting on an anonymous internet forum. His email (taken from the AAI website) is performance@athleticsireland.ie. Please let us know how you get on.

SeanKenny

downthemiddle wrote: »

He is currently reviewing all high performances structures with a view to putting new structures in place. The new elite middle distance squad for juniors is an example of this.

Can you tell us a little about the elite middle distance squad for juniors? Who is on it or what is the criteria?
I haven't heard about this squad? Is there a list of those selected on it available? Cheers!

bat_573

downthemiddle wrote: »

Slight contradiction in your argument there. However I'll bite.
He is currently reviewing all high performances structures with a view to putting new structures in place.

Sorry downthemiddle but that sounds like classic AAI waffle. Do you work for them by any chance? I think we've all heard the talk of structures and systems for years now and are a little sick of it at this stage.

By all reports the Performance Director, Ankrom isn't doing much to help many of our elite and developing athletes..definitely not enough to justify his salary which is supposed to be in excess of CEO John Foley's (what is he doing by the way?).

Before Ciaran O'Lionaird is used as an example of AAI helping isn't he the same athlete who was on this forum last June/July saying how he was struggling and not getting much help from the authorities?

Lo and behold when Ciaran had his fantastic breakthrough and subsequent brilliant performance at the World Championships he seemed to get all the help he needed from AAI. This is the same experience for most of our top athletes - getting there by themselves and when they do AAI and the Sports Council try to claim credit for it and attach themselves to the success.

Many questions need to be asked of Ankrom. What is he doing? Who is he accountable to? What is the person/people he is accountable to doing to make sure he is not steering Irish athletics further in the wrong direction?

NickDrake

Finally someone who knows what they are talking about.

Just hoping this thread won't be censored.

Thanks for adding to the thread. To post having a go at me was total AAI waffle as you said.

TheRoadRunner

NickDrake wrote: »

Finally someone who knows what they are talking about.

Just hoping this thread won't be censored.

Thanks for adding to the thread. To post having a go at me was total AAI waffle as you said.

The problem here is nobody can answer the questions you posed in your initial post. Why don't you email him directly as suggested above and let us know how you get on.

downthemiddle

SeanKenny wrote: »

Can you tell us a little about the elite middle distance squad for juniors? Who is on it or what is the criteria?
I haven't heard about this squad? Is there a list of those selected on it available? Cheers!

There have been a couple of get togethers so far . The first one was a full day in DCU which covered a comprehensive number of topics. The second one was a two hour talk from David Matthews. I don't know what is planned for the future.
AFAIK any athlete who medalled at provincial or national level last year from U17 up was invited along with their coaches.

downthemiddle

bat_573 wrote: »

Sorry downthemiddle but that sounds like classic AAI waffle. ? I think we've all heard the talk of structures and systems for years now and are a little sick of it at this stage.

By all reports the Performance Director, Ankrom isn't doing much to help many of our elite and developing athletes..definitely not enough to justify his salary which is supposed to be in excess of CEO John Foley's (what is he doing by the way?).

Before Ciaran O'Lionaird is used as an example of AAI helping isn't he the same athlete who was on this forum last June/July saying how he was struggling and not getting much help from the authorities?

Lo and behold when Ciaran had his fantastic breakthrough and subsequent brilliant performance at the World Championships he seemed to get all the help he needed from AAI. This is the same experience for most of our top athletes - getting there by themselves and when they do AAI and the Sports Council try to claim credit for it and attach themselves to the success.

Many questions need to be asked of Ankrom. What is he doing? Who is he accountable to? What is the person/people he is accountable to doing to make sure he is not steering Irish athletics further in the wrong direction?

You obviously haven't seen my post history I do know that after the junior qualifying standards were set that the high performance director took on board the concerns that coaches expressed and changed these standards. He met a number of these coaches and having listened to their objections made appropriate changes to the standards.

SeanKenny

downthemiddle wrote: »

There have been a couple of get togethers so far . The first one was a full day in DCU which covered a comprehensive number of topics. The second one was a two hour talk from David Matthews. I don't know what is planned for the future.
AFAIK any athlete who medalled at provincial or national level last year from U17 up was invited along with their coaches.

That event in DCU and the talk by David Matthews was organised by the national endurance event co-ordinator, not the high performance director. I was hoping you had news of something more substantial.
Cheers for the response though.

bat_573

Ankrom, the Performance Director was hired by AAI in a panic because they were worried about criticism if the High Performance role remained vacant as the London Olympics got closer and closer.

He seems to meet the stereotypical cliche requirements of a lot of ineffective sports administrators who churn out rhetoric such as "need for systems and structures", "building pathways for the future", "concentrating on youth and potential" etc. thus avoiding any sort of short or medium term accountability.

His main focus seems to be the 2016 Rio Olympics. His contract wouldn't happen to expire at that stage by any chance?

ecoli

Mod: bat_573 issued permanant ban due to duplicate account

Dan man

Gosh, there's a lot of duplicate accounts crawling out of the deadwood all of a sudden! :eek:

ecoli

Dan man wrote: »

Gosh, there's a lot of duplicate accounts crawling out of the deadwood all of a sudden! :eek:

Not the same people either

Pisco Sour

ecoli wrote: »

Mod: bat_573 issued permanant ban due to duplicate account

Impressive detective work. There must be some very talented IT lads working behind the scenes at boards to clamp down on this sort of thing. Good to see that the testers are closing in on the cheats

ecoli

Back on topic and here is a report from the AAI on 2011 as a review in terms of the endurance aspect:

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/endurance-report-for-2011-21.pdf

I think we are moving in the right direction though not saying things are perfect but there is definitely good steps being made

TheRoadRunner

04072511 wrote: »

Impressive detective work. There must be some very talented IT lads working behind the scenes at boards to clamp down on this sort of thing. Good to see that the testers are closing in on the cheats

When I post from one of my 5 other boards user accounts I always make sure I use a pc with a different IP address to my home pc. Bloody amateurs. If you're going to $hit stir at least put a bit of effort in. You are giving trolls like me a bad name!

SeanKenny

NickDrake wrote: »

What has he done since he was appointed? Anyone know how much he is on?

What exactly has this director being doing apart from collecting his massive pay cheque.

Please fill me in.

Nick Drake ruffled a lot of feathers here but credit where credit is due, he got it spot on with our high performance director!!

The decision to leave Rory Chesser at home is dusgraceful. Brian Murphy will sit in the stands and watcha race he is entered in. Is this a good system? Is that Irish Athletics getting bang for their buck? Do us all a favour Kevin ............. let someone who wants to do the job do it properly. High Performance is a joke.

sportfanatic

SeanKenny wrote: »

Nick Drake ruffled a lot of feathers here but credit where credit is due, he got it spot on with our high performance director!!

The decision to leave Rory Chesser at home is dusgraceful. Brian Murphy will sit in the stands and watcha race he is entered in. Is this a good system? Is that Irish Athletics getting bang for their buck? Do us all a favour Kevin ............. let someone who wants to do the job do it properly. High Performance is a joke.

Have we any suggestions on who might be more suitable for the role?

I think its too early to make any permanent judgements on his performance. Any idea if he's on a permanent contract?

RandyMann

So did the AAI issue any statements to date as to the reason why Rory Chesser and Brain Murphy are not going/competing?

Sorry, wrong thread, didnt see the other one

SeanKenny

sportfanatic wrote: »

Have we any suggestions on who might be more suitable for the role?

I think its too early to make any permanent judgements on his performance. Any idea if he's on a permanent contract?

There are a host of people to do the job. If we want to improve standards we need to communicate with the athletes. Ankrom doesnt do this e.g. the Roseanne Galligan case. I know of several other athletes who have said that they can't get straight answers from High Performance.

It is not too early to judge him - he deserves no credit for performances of athletes like Heffernan, Loughnane or O'Rourke. Afterall he didn't even want Colin Griffin to have the opportunity to compete at the world cup where he secured the time for London. What help is he to Colvert, Jason Smith or Paul Robinson?

I believe he is on a contract taking him well beyond London but I am not sure of specific dates.

He won't give a public explanation as he doesn't feel he needs to. Why would he bother?

People need to be vocal on this issue to AAI in support of Murphy and my fellow munster man Chesser.

thirtyfoot

SeanKenny wrote: »

support of Murphy and my fellow munster man Chesser.

You do realise Murphy is a munster man too?

SeanKenny

thirtyfoot wrote: »

You do realise Murphy is a munster man too?

I do, I just know Rory better.