Seventy delegates from 16 countries participated in the 1st European Race Walking Conference, part of the European Athletics Coaching Summit Series, held on 6-8 November.
The conference organised at the UK Athletics National Race Walking Centre at the Leeds Metropolitan University, was supported by European Athletics, UK Athletics and England Athletics.
The focus of the conference was Long Term Coach Development and Athlete Development.
Brent Vallance from the Australian Institute of Sport Walks Coach, led an elite group of speakers at the conference, and delivered a session on coaching transitions. He presented an interesting lecture focusing on the development of 2008 Double Olympic medallist Jared Tallent.
Antonio La Torre of Italy spoke about the development of 2004 Olympic 20km Champion Ivano Brugnetti, while Luis Saladie of Spain and Great Britain’s Peter Marlow provided delegates with an update on judging.
Pat Ryan, director of development at Athletics Ireland led a discussion on how to develop race walking based on the Irish Model.
Martin Rush from England Athletics led a practical drills and skills workshop.
A number of staff from the host institution also delivered practical workshops. Brian Hanley demonstrated and presented the key finding of his major biomechanical studies on race walking based on laboratory testing and a study of major international competitions.
Fraser McKinney from the Carnegie Physiotherapy Clinic led a practical workshop on injury prevention, pre-habilitation and rehabilitation. Andrew Abrahams led a practical problem solving workshop on coach decision making.
The Conference Dinner was held at the World Famous Headingly Carnegie Stadium.