sign in sign up
<<
Home , Pentathlon

Athletes Handbook PENTATHLON IRELAND 2020 ADDRESS EMAIL Pentathlon Ireland maintains Central Administration: an office in Sport HQ on the [email protected] National Sports Campus in CEO: Abbottstown, Dublin 15. [email protected] High Performance Director : TELEPHONE [email protected] 01 6251134 Development Coach: CONTENTS [email protected]

1. Introduction 1-2

2. Stakeholders 3-6

3. Induction 7-8

4. The Athlete Journey 9-12

5. NGB – Athlete relationship 13-16

6. The Athlete Voice 17-18 WELCOME STRUCTURE Welcome to Pentathlon Ireland, the Pentathlon Ireland is a membership Irish National Governing Body (NGB) organisation, governed by a Board CHAPTER 1. for the sport of . elected by the members. The Board delegates some of the Pentathlon is an Olympic sport functions to sub-committees, (since 1912) that comprises of five while also employing staff to I different events; (one-touch manage the operational aspects of épée), freestyle (200 m), Pentathlon Ireland. Current Board N equestrian (15 jumps), members are listed here. and a final combined event of pistol and T MEMBERSHIP (3200 m). This last event is now Becoming a member of Pentathlon referred to as the laser)-run, since Ireland is the best way to develop R it alternates four legs of laser pistol as a Pentathlete. Membership shooting followed by an 800 m grants access to the services O run (for 3200 m in total). A full provided by Pentathlon Ireland, description of the sport can be such as coaching, training and found here on Wikipedia. D access to the National Pentathlon PENTATHLON IRELAND’S Centre in Abbottstown. U STRATEGY Developed in 2019 Pentathlon POSITIVE EXPERIENCE C Ireland decided that it is to be a Pentathlon Ireland is committed niche, high performance sport to providing all its athletes with delivering consistent medal success a positive experience based T on the world stage. on interactive two-way open communication, a vibrant and I PENTATHLON IRELAND’S supportive environment and MISSION respect at all times. Athlete welfare O Pentathlon Ireland’s mission Is is a crucial component of the to support high performance culture in Pentathlon Ireland. pentathletes to achieve their N maximum potential.

1 2 During your pentathlete career, Pentathlon Ireland is a member you will interact with a of UIPM – the international number of key organisations, Federation for Modern Pentathlon. CHAPTER 2. the most prominent of which are detailed here. As part of the High Performance Programme, an athlete is provided NGB with significant support including: Pentathlon Ireland’s operations STAKEHOLDERS are conducted at all times in Expert Leadership Provided by the accordance with its stated core PD, CEO and where necessary, values as outlined in its policies the Board. which can be found on www.pentathlon.ie. World Class Coaching Provided by The processes in place seek the highly skilled team of coaches to maximise the performance and ancillary support staff e.g. potential and experience of the physiotherapists, psychologists, athlete. Pentathlon Ireland’s High etc. Performance Programme is led by the Performance Director Optimum Daily Training (PD) whose decision making is Environment Provided at the both supported and appropriately Pentathlon centre on the challenged by the CEO and Board. National Sports Campus in The PD has high ambitions for Abbottstown. This is a world- Pentathlon in Ireland and is ably class centre and includes a fencing assisted by a highly skilled support hall which contains Ireland’s only team. Given the diverse nature permanent fencing pistes and of the sports involved in Modern a shooting hall as well as access Pentathlon, this team is varied in its to: indoor and outdoor running make-up as and when necessary tracks; a National Aquatic and at all times keeps the Centre which houses state of performances and welfare of the the art swimming pools and athletes at the core of its decisions. facilities; an outdoor National show-jumping arena; and, world- class gym facilities.

3 4 Domestic And International • Contributions and Competition Programmes expertise provided Modern pentathlon through Sport Ireland’s competitions are mostly partnerships with held outside of Ireland so numerous organisations Irish pentathletes mostly including the Olympic travel to compete. However, Federation of Ireland, they also participate in Sport Northern Ireland, various competitions hosted Higher Education by the individual sports e.g. Institutes, etc. fencing, running and shooting competitions. INSTITUTE The Sport Ireland Institute SPORT IRELAND (based on the Sport Ireland The goals and ambitions of Campus) support Pentathlon Pentathlon Ireland and its athletes Ireland’s athletes by providing are ably assisted through the a range of services delivered support of Sport Ireland in the by recognised experts within following ways: their respective fields. These services are provided under • Funding of the High a Performance Partnership Performance Programme Agreement between the Institute and Pentathlon Ireland • Funding of individual High and include: Performance athletes through the International Carding • Sport medicine Scheme • Nutrition • Performance analysis • Provision of world class • Physiology facilities at the Sport Ireland • Psychology (Performance Campus in Abbottstown and Clinical) • Strength and Conditioning • Provision of Anti-doping • Physiotherapy testing and education • Performance Lifeskills

5 6 HOW TO BECOME MEMBERSHIP INVOLVED You will be encouraged to join If you have an interest in developing Pentathlon Ireland, which will CHAPTER 3. as a pentathlete, you should make open up access to the Pentathlon your interest known to a member Centre on the National Sports CHAPTER 2. of Pentathlon Ireland’s Campus in Abbottstown. I Development Committee through: Additionally, membership gives you [email protected]. access to events and competitions You will be contacted to arrange arranged by Pentathlon Ireland N a meeting with either members of with full insurance cover for these the committee or the development activities. D coach to discuss how you can progress in the sport. You will be Through training programmes U invited to take part in training, and camps offered by Pentathlon where further induction will take Ireland, you will engage with a place. range of volunteers and coaches C that will explore your options and COMMUNICATION guide you along the pentathlete T Pentathlon Ireland formally pathway. communicates with its members I by e-mail from designated persons Membership categories and rates (CEO, Staff, Administrator and /or are detailed here. Committee members), who are O supplied with pentathlon.ie e-mail Details of the organisation’s addresses. governance and the policies and N codes adhered to by members are set out here.

7 8 THE ATHLETES JOURNEY POTENTIAL GOALS A fundamental principle of Our technical staff are there Pentathlon Ireland is that our to enable athletes to reach their CHAPTER 4. athletes should experience a full potential and achieve both positive system that provides short term & long-term goals. holistic support based on their These goals depend on the needs throughout their sporting individual but usually follow THE career and supports them as they a theme of lower level goals transition to the next stage of their of hitting ranking positions at ATHLETES lives. Central to the athlete’s International competitions with experience is the athlete- the ultimate goal being Olympic coach relationship which has qualification and podium finish. JOURNEY to be based on mutual trust, frankness and honesty. At SUPPORT-SQUAD every step of the journey LEADS Pentathlon Ireland support staff Pentathlon Ireland has will endeavour to ensure that designated members of the athletes are kept informed of coaching staff as leaders to their progress. each squad. Their primary role is to ensure that each SQUADS individual squad member Athletes are organised into is achieving their potential squads depending on their through a planned approach. current ability and experience as This will include arranging the determined by the Performance training schedule, competition Director, Squad Leads, Coaches preparation, camp and and Development Committee. session organisation as well Squad training, camp groups and as maintaining performance competition entry are aligned records. They will also coach with the development stage of and/or supervise engaged the athlete. coaches to support athletes in achieving their goals.

9 10 COMPETITION CONFLICT THE RETIRING ELIGIBILITY RESOLUTION ATHLETE While access to most If an athlete disputes any Pentathlon Ireland is committed lower level events is by aspect of the selection or to supporting its athletes direct entry from individual allocation process, the issue throughout their sporting athletes, Pentathlon Ireland should be discussed with career and in their transition entry is required for most the squad lead in the first to retirement. Working with the International events above instance. If there are issues Sport Ireland Institute as part a certain level. Entry still outstanding, these may be of its Athlete Career Development procedures are set by UIPM referred to the Development Programme, Pentathlon Ireland through their Competition Committee or the helps athletes to develop their Rules. Performance Director. Any planning capability to assist It is an important part of the matters not resolved in this them with employment during squad lead’s role to ensure way can be addressed their athletics careers and that individual athlete through the formal appeal also once their careers have skills and experience are process, detailed below. ended. The goal is to enable matched with the level of every athlete to make a intended competition. A smooth transition into full-time continuous record of each ATHLETE employment after their sports athlete’s progress will be RESPONSIBILITIES career. maintained. The times and Pentathlon Ireland encourages scores recorded in this athletes to take ownership of their process will be compared journey and provides a strong and with international standards vibrant system to enable this to to determine the stage- happen. Athletes must understand appropriate competitions for their responsibility to the sport the athlete. The squad lead and contribute to improve the will publish these standards performance system in Pentathlon in advance of selection and Ireland for current and future use them as a key (but not pentathletes by engaging with the only) factor in selecting those around them in a positive athletes for international and constructive manner. competition.

11 12 NGB – ATHLETE RELATIONSHIP The relationship between CHAPTER 5. Pentathlon Ireland and member athletes is set out in a number of documents, most of which are NGB –ATHLETE available on www.pentathlon.ie 1. Pentathlon Strategy 5. Disciplinary Policy RELATIONSHIP The strategic plan for PI is Where there is an allegation developed through interaction that a member, volunteer, with members and is updated at official, employee or contractor regular intervals. of Pentathlon Ireland has breached a Code of Conduct 2. Constitution – 2020 or acted contrary to a PI’s constitution, legally required Pentathlon Ireland Policy this under the structure, sets out policy applies. the basic governance procedures for the 6. Privacy Policy organisaiton. Implements GDPR .

3. Athlete Code of Conduct 7. Social Media Policy Pentathlete members are Protects the organisation and required to read and confirm its members against on-line their agreement to abide by the abuse. athlete code of conduct. 8. Athlete Agreement 4. Complaints Policy When selected to represent Determines the procedure in Pentathlon Ireland at an event, the event of a grievance. athletes will be asked to sign an agreement that sets out the obligations and responsibilities of both parties.

13 14 9. Appeals If an athlete believes that It shall comprise 3 people, they have been unfairly one of whom is required to excluded from a squad, have elite sport experience. team or competition and No member of the Appeals have exhausted all panel shall have been resolution options they may involved in the selection formally appeal the process. decision that led to their exclusion. d. The Appeals panel may decide as follows: a. Appeals must be made addressed to the i. That selection Chairperson of Pentathlon concerned was based Ireland, submitted within on a factual error or 48hrs of the final decision procedurally flawed, following attempts to and the case referred resolve the issue and be back to the Selection accompanied by a fee of panel for consideration. €100 payable to Pentathlon Ireland. The charge will be ii. That the Selectors reimbursed upon a decision is upheld and successful Appeal. the appeal rejected.

b. The sole grounds for an e. The Chairperson will in appeal are that the writing inform all parties selection policy was not about the Appeal panel’s properly followed and/or decision. there is evidence of any bias in the selection process.

c. The Appeals panel will be appointed by the Chairperson of the Board of Pentathlon Ireland.

15 16 ATHLETES VOICE The primary communication Pentathlon Ireland is channel is between the committed to ensuring that athlete and the squad lead. CHAPTER 6. member athletes have a say Junior athletes should in the strategy and direction initially report any issues that of Pentathlon Ireland, whilst are not resolved at this level THE also having a clear to the Development communication process. Committee, while senior athletes report to the ATHLETES Athletes are members of Performance Director Pentathlon Ireland, entitled or CEO. Selection and VOICE to attend and, subject to age, disciplinary matters will be to vote at general meetings addressed either by the of the association. The appeal mechanism detailed Board of Pentathlon Ireland in the selection process or includes an athlete elected by the complaints policy. director. In the event that an athlete director is not A less formal method is elected,the Board will through discussion with the appoint a director as an Athlete Director or the Board athlete representative. appointed Athlete representative.

17 18