Welcome
I am delighted to announce the launch of IFAC 2010, which will run 29-31 October at the Marriot Hotel in Glasgow, Scotland, and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the European Athletics Coaches Association [EACA].
In Vincennes, Paris in 1960, head coaches of European athletics federations founded the world’s first Athletics Coaches Association. Since then, EACA’s Conferences have brought together thousands of coaches, not only from Europe but also from the greater IAAF Family, to enrich and advance their professional development. IFAC takes the concept of EACA conferences to a whole new level.
Firstly, the festival features the finest coaching and performance experts in the world. Recently announced, John Smith (USA), ‘the sprints coach with the Midas touch’ is to head our line-up for this year, find out more about John’s attendance this year in our news section. We will announce others keynote speakers at regular intervals through the coming months in a lead up to the event.
Next, the event offers a wide range of high value workshops, covering all disciplines. We’ve increased the number, and variety, of workshops since last year, to deliver something for all types of attendees, whatever their level of experience or expertise in athletics. We’re also launching our first stream of workshops dedicated to teachers, whose work provides a foundation for athlete’s development and performance process. Workshop details will be published in the coming weeks here on the IFAC website.
Finally, the festival generates an unmatched opportunity to build and energize personal development networks all the way from club to international level. And, that, of course, comes down to individuals attending.
Last year’s event was a huge success, with over 400 athletics coaches and professionals attending and providing festival goers the chance to rub shoulders with the likes of Seb Coe or Sergey Bubka, to name a few.
IFAC has proven to be a knowledge and learning mall for athletics worldwide.
And this year is no exception; as Festival Manager, Mary Anderson, and her team are putting together something very special so watch this space for more information as the event draws near.
Put IFAC, 29-31 October, in your diary and spread the word. We look forward to welcoming you to Glasgow – host city of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Dr Frank Dick
President
EACA
