Overview
The Coaching and Sports Performance programme aims to develop, from evidence- based theory and practice, the students’ ability to lead physical activity, to coach athletes (individually and in teams), and manage sports teams and individual athletes. Graduates will also have the knowledge, skills, competence and first-hand experience to design and lead strength and conditioning programmes and to design and lead performance training programmes.
Graduates will be able to safely, and within context, advise on performance-related nutrition, apply the principles of sports psychology in context, and apply ancillary techniques in recovery from exercise, injury management or others in support of optimal sports performance and recovery.
The strength of the programme delivery model is that students experience a significant amount of applied practical time during their studies. The applied practice elements include independent studies, workshops, group discussions, activity leadership sessions, client (group and individual) engagement, and other activities that provide authenticity to the students’ experience.
Our students are regular players on the University’s teams in a variety of sports and through a variety of University society and volunteering activities. The department in general is known for its valued contribution to the health, fitness and leisure industry nationally, where the department is involved in establishing sectoral standards and educational policy change.
The Department of Health and Leisure Studies is a registered REPs Ireland provider. REPs Ireland (www.repsireland.ie) uses industry standards that have been developed and published by the European Health and Fitness Association to determine eligibility of individual exercise professionals for entry to the REPs Ireland register.