THE BUILDING POSITIVE CLUBS CONFERENCE will be hosted by Donegal Sports Partnership later this month.
At the Sport and Mental Health Conference on May 31, 2012, Donegal Sports Partnership launched a Charter for Clubs which encourages the promotion of positive mental well-being through sport. ‘
The first of its kind in Ireland the charter recognises effort as opposed to the win at all costs which can so often be detrimental to youth sport. Donegal Sports Partnership were however keen that clubs adopted the beliefs of the charter and that it would impact positively on those involved in sport and so the Building Positive Clubs Programme was developed.
A major finding of the My World Survey, a National Study of Youth Mental Health indicated the importance of “One Good Adult” in the mental wellbeing of young people. Coaches sometimes don’t realise but very often they are this person, the one who impacts positively on self-esteem and who young people can approach in times of need.
Building Positive Clubs asks coaches to examine not only their individual coaching approach but the overall ethos of the club or more specifically the club culture which looks at the people, attitude, communication and empowerment within the club.
With a resource and education and training workshops now developed, Finn Harps Academy recently completed the pilot of the initiative and feedback has been very positive, they will now work on implementing their action plan. The culmination of the pilot is to officially launch the programme and share learning with National Governing Bodies of Sport, clubs and coaches from other sports.
The Building Positive Clubs Conference will be hosted by Donegal Sports Partnership on May 28 and will focus on the powerful role that sport can play in promoting positive experiences and mental well-being.
More often than not sports clubs provide positive environments for everyone to enjoy but sometimes the win at all costs and poor sportsmanship can have a negative impact applying unrealistic challenges and pressures.
The event hopes to explore these issues and will hear from guests such as Oisin McConville (Armagh GAA), Peter Mitchell (Knights Wheelchair Basketball & formerly Leeds FC) Alan O’Mara (Cavan GAA & Real Talks), Breifne Earley (World Cycle Race), Antonio Mantero (The Coach Diary), Jim Donnelly (Active Communities Network) and Trevor Scanlon (Finn Harps Academy). Donegal Sport Hub’s Charlie Collins will MC the event.
Conference places are limited and bookings will be on a first come first served basis and can be made online via wwwactivedonegal.com. Further information can be obtained by contacting Donegal Sports Partnership on 074(91)16078.
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