Physical Education Association of Ireland
Conference & Annual General Meeting,
2009
The Power of Physical Education
Towards Enhanced Citizenship and SelfEmpowerment
2nd – 4th October, 2009-08-04
Fels Point Hotlel,
Tralee,
Co. Kerry
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
Conference Programme and Speaker Details
Friday 2nd October, 2009:
7.00 - 7.30 pm Registration
7.30 - 7.40
Welcome Address – Dr. Ann MacPhail, President
PEAI
Dr. Michael Hall, Head of Dept. Health & Leisure
Studies, ITT
7.40 – 8-00
Dr. Barney O’Reilly, Launch of KES Community of
Practice DVD resources
8.00 – 9.00
Key Note: Professor Don Hellison,
University of Illinois, Chicago
Don Hellison is a professor in the Departments of Educational
Psychology and Kinesiology at UIC. This role involves program
development, delivery, and evaluation for underserved youth as well
as the professional preparation of pre-service and in-service teachers
and youth workers who work in these programs. These programs use
taking responsibility as a framework for teaching physical activities
in in-school and after-school programs. Since the broad goals of this
approach - e.g., respect for the rights and feelings of others, selfmotivation, cooperation, self-direction, and helping others (e.g.,
leadership) - are relevant for working with kids in many settings,
workshops also have been requested by teachers and youth workers
who do not work with physical activities. Processes and outcomes of
this work are disseminated in publications, presentations, and
workshops across the country and in several other countries. The
TPSR Alliance, co-directed with Gloria Balague, is the center for
these activities (tprs-alliance.org). Don spent 16 years doing this
work on the west coast and has been at UIC for the past 20 years. He
has been recognized for this work most recently (2008) by receiving
the Gulick Medal, the most prestigious award given by the American
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. He
has also been the recipient of the International Olympic Committee
President’s Prize and five other national awards. His latest book is
Teaching responsibility through physical activity, published in 2003
by Human Kinetics.
Saturday 3rd October, 2009:
8.30 – 9.00am Registration
9. 00 – 10.30
Professor Don Hellison – Master Workshop
10.45 – 11.15
EIPET: Making Adapted Physical Education
Easy – Pat Flanagan
Pat Flanagan is a member of the Kerry Senior Football
Backroom team on a consultancy basis, previously the physical
trainer, he is now in charge of the team’s weight programmes.
Pat was in charge of the team’s fitness during their winning
periods of 2004 and 2006, where the team enjoyed particular
success. Pat, a Waterford native is a former Irish sprint
champion; with Waterford Athletics club, he saw national and
international success. He is a lecturer at the Institute of
Technology, Tralee, & previous to this spent 12 years teaching
PE in the Presentation School in Waterford. He has spear headed
the development of Adapted Physical Activity (APA) as an
academic subject in the Department of Health & Leisure Studies
at ITT and there conceived the development of the CARA
Centre, with the support of the Irish Sports Council, which
provides guidance, support & training for APA provision
throughout Ireland.
Pat will present on EIPET a new European Inclusive Physical
Education Training resource pack, which has been developed
to assist teachers with the inclusion of people with disabilities
into mainstream education and continued physical education
teacher training to deal with same.
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
11.15 – 12.15 Coffee & PEAI AGM
12.15 – 1.15
Parallel Sessions A
1. Diversity Challenges in Physical Education
Fiona McGovern, Paddy O’Reilly, John Creagh
Fiona McGovern always knew the career she wanted to
follow, and entered Thomond College in September 1984,
where she studied both PE and maths. Fiona was a keen
athletic and avid outdoor activist. On graduation in 1988
she worked in London for a year then returned to take a PE
and Maths post in Waterford in September 1989. In 1995
she undertook a Diploma in special education as she was
involved in learning support in her school. Seeking a
change in direction, in January 2002, she successfully
applied for a job as a visiting teacher for Travellers, the
position which she now occupies. This has broadened her
experience of the teaching world and opened up to her the
many different approaches that schools have, especially in
differentiating material for those children with special
needs.
In this session Fiona will give delegates a little insight into
the life and background of Travellers from her experience
with them and schools over the last seven years. In this way
it may help other schools to differentiate how material and
classes are delivered to young Travellers in our schools
today.
Paddy O’Reilly graduated with a BA in PE and Maths from
Thomond College of Education in 1985. He has worked in
Trinity Comprehensive, Ballymun, since 1989. Paddy has a keen
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
interest in soccer and coached both Dundalk and Athlone U21s.
He has been pursuing a Masters Degree in Sports Psychology,
which centres on the study of home and away soccer
performances, featuring Bray Wanderers, Longford & Newry.
Paddy has an EUFA A Level 3 Soccer badge, is heavily involved
in school club soccer links within the Ballymun area, and has
been instrumental in the development of Ballymun Regeneration
Limited Umbru Futsal Arena.
John Creagh is a Physical Education & Geography
graduate from Liverpool Hope University, and he has a
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from John
Moores University (2001). On returning to his native
Tralee, he taught in Mounthawke Secondary School for a
year, before taking up his current position in Tralee
Community College. John now teaches PE & Geography,
and also the Post Leaving Cert Course, FETAC Level 6
Sport and Recreation Studies. John is a stalwart member of
John Mitchell’s GAA club, and also likes to get in a round
of golf when spare time allows.
2. A Flourishing Future for Physical Education?
Joe Brunton
Joe Brunton graduated from Thomond College of Education in
1976, Montclair State University (New Jersey, USA; MA
Hons: 1978) and the University of Limerick (MTech Hons:
2001).
He has taught PE among a variety of other subject areas at
2nd and 3rd level in a career spanning almost 35 years.
After joining the Institute of Technology (then the RTC) in
Tralee in 1981 he took up teaching responsibilities initially in PE
and the Health Science area. He was Course Director for the
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
Certificate in Health Science from 1990 to 1992 and oversaw the
transitioning of this programme to Health & Leisure Studies, in
1993. He acted subsequently as Course Director for the National
Certificate in Health & Leisure Studies and then for the National
Diploma in Health & Leisure Studies, from 1993 and 1998. He
was a founding member and the inaugural chairman of the
Recreation Educators Forum (REF) a position he held from 1995
to 1997.
Joe has published on a variety of topics ranging from topics in
Leisure Tourism to Ergonomics. His main research interests,
now and for over a decade, have been focussed on the emerging
multi-disciplinary field of well-being and ‘human flourishing’
and the potential role that physical activity can play in this.
He has had a life long interest in a variety of sporting activities,
but his main ‘claim to fame’, apart from playing soccer with
Listowel Celtic and Kerryhead Rovers, was in an earlier life,
playing in the League of Ireland with Dundalk FC and at Youth
and Colleges International level. He now contents himself for
past-times with reading, gardening, light jogging and trying to
learn French.
Living near Causeway in North Kerry, Joe is married to his
college sweetheart Eliz (also of the class of ’76) and is the father
of three grown up children.
Joe’s presentation will outline recent theoretical developments on
the topic of positive human well-being, in particular those
contributions emanating from within the social sciences and
especially positive psychology. A balanced and integrative
bivariate model of health and its ‘well-being / human flourishing’
dimension will be presented, based on the WHO (1947)
definition of health and other more recent theoretical work. The
potentially substantive role that physical activity, exercise,
leisure, sport and physical education can play in enhancing
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
physical flourishing within this paradigmatic framework, along
with some potential pitfalls, will be explored.
3. Adapted Physical Education
Niamh Daffy (CARA Centre) & Ed Niland (IWA)
Niamh Daffy is Coordinator of CARA Adapted Physical
Activity Centre. She is a graduate of the Institute of Technology
Tralee, (Honours Degree in Health & Leisure Studies). During
her years in college Niamh completed two placement related to
the area of Adapted Physical Activity, one of these being the
design and implementation of the first All Inclusive Summer
Recreation Programme for individuals with disabilities in
Anchorage, Alaska. After obtaining her degree, Niamh went on
to work as Sports Coordinator in Enable Ireland Adult Services,
Clare and subsequently worked as manager of the Enable Ireland
Adult Services Clare.
In November 2007, Niamh took up position as coordinator of the
CARA Adapted Physical Activity Centre located at the ITT,
where she now coordinates the work of the 21 Sports Inclusion
Disability Officers and the CARA National Adapted Physical
Activity Resource Centre.
Niamh in her spare time also likes to volunteer and has
volunteered in Camp Abilities, New York, a multi sports camp
for children with visual impairments. Her most recent venture
will be to Calvert Trust in the Lake District to volunteer in an
organisation which enables people with disabilities to achieve
their potential through outdoor adventure activities in the
countryside.
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
Ed Niland, Irish Wheelchair Association- Sport
Ed is a sport scientist who graduated from University of Limerick in
2005. He has been working with the Irish Wheelchair AssociationSport in the role of Coach & Technical Education officer. As well as
developing IWA-Sport’s Coach & Instructor education programme in
partnership with the Irish Sports Council’s Coaching Ireland, we are
also developing a number of strategic projects on Talent Identification,
Transfer & Confirmation, Volunteer & Athlete recruitment &
retainment. The IWA is continuing to develop resources for our Best
Start: Inclusive Schools project, which aims to improve inclusive
teaching practices so that more children with a disability in both
primary & secondary levels can participate in their Physical Education
classes, and that more children with a disability can take part
successfully and confidently in sport and physical activity for life.
Ed is heavily involved in Orienteering as an athlete, coach & tutor up
to World Championships level and he enjoys most sports which
involve a good dose of adrenaline.
All students regardless of ability need to participate in physical activity
for lifelong health. Niamh and Ed will facilitate teachers in inclusive
practices to encourage access and participation in Physical Education
for all, in both primary and secondary environments, where these
lifelong habits are formed. The workshop will cover a variety of
practical activities that can be completed within an inclusive
environment using available and accessible equipment to enhance
participation within sessions. Furthermore, these practical activities
will provide a pathway for application beyond the PE setting.
4. Best Practice in Primary School Physical Education
Kathleen Fitzgerald, Maire Ni Laidhn
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
Kathleen Fitzgerald graduated from Thomond College, with PE and
Irish, in 1978. She spent 10 years teaching PE in Loreto Secondary
School, in Cavan, before returning to Kerry. Kathleen then focused her
attention on primary school PE, before she moved into the area of
Special needs teaching in St. Frances Special School, Beaufort, 2 years
ago. She is a both a Go For Life, and an NCEF tutor. Kathleen has
given a lot of service to Kerry Juvenile athletics, as well as being a
keen runner and orienteering participant. She now coaches with the
Kerry Stars, Killarney Special Olympics team, and in her recreation
time enjoys jogging and wind surfing.
Maire Ni LAidhn
Maire Ni Laidhn graduated as a primary school teacher,
from Mary Immaculate College, in 1986. On graduating
she took up a position in Castlegregory National School,
where she worked for 5 years, before heading to teach in
the Middle East for 9 years. While there she taught in an
International School, which embraced both British & US
primary curricula. Maire returned to her native Tralee in
2000, firstly to Gael Scoil Mhic Easmain for a year, and
then to the Presentation Primary School, where she
currently teaches the senior classes and takes PE classes. A
former International Basketball player, playing at senior
level for Ireland from 1983 – 91, Maire puts her skills to
great use coaching the Presentation Senior Girls Basketball
team & co-ordinating the Tralee girls basketball town
league. When in the middle East her sporting interests
included netball and rugby, while in Tralee she is also
involved with Austin Stacks GAA Club, and introduced
ladies Gaelic football to her school in 2001.
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
1.15 – 2.15 Lunch
2.15 – 3.30 Parallel Sessions B
1. Adventure Games – Leave No Trace
Tomás Aylward
Tomás Aylward lectures in the Health and Leisure Dept. at
I.T.Tralee. He coordinates the outdoor education programmes for
Health & Leisure and PE Studies students. A graduate in
Education from NUIG, he is a passionate enthusiast of learning
out of doors. Tomás has completed a number of wilderness
journeys and xpeditions in Europe, N. America, Asia and Africa.
In 2009 he led a student expedition from ITTralee north of the
Arctic Circle in Norway and Finland. Tomás is a mentor and
assessor for accredited practitioners of the Institute of Outdoor
Learning (APIOL) and a Leave No Trace ‘Master Educator’. His
main research interest is using outdoor experiences as a catalyst
for reflection.
2. Leaving Cert Applied Dance
Sharon Phelan
Sharon Phelan performed internationally as a full-time
professional dancer with Siamsa Tíre. She has a degree in
Physical Education, an MA in Cultural Studies and her PhD
focuses on dance in Ireland from cultural and educational
perspectives. Currently, she is interested in Creative Practice in
social care contexts and she is contributing chapters to a book
based in this area. She is also researching a book based on the
cultural history of Irish dance.
During her time as dance animateur and education officer with
the Department of Education, Sharon published and disseminated
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
Dance-in-Education packages and in 1999 she was
commissioned by the NCCA to complete the Leaving Certificate
Applied Dance Programme. The modules were a turning point,
as this was the first time Physical Education teachers viewed
dance as examinable and standalone. Sharon will present on the
modules at the Conference: her session will focus on ways
through which Physical Education teachers can use dance, as a
tool of social inclusion and cultural understanding.
3. Leading Learning through Collaborative Reflective
Mentoring
Geraldine Mooney Simmie is a lecturer in Education and
Professional Studies at the University of Limerick. She is
Course Director for the ‘Leading Learning in School
Communities Graduate Certificate in Educational Mentoring’ at
UL. Her recent paper ‘Teacher Design Teams: building capacity
for innovation, learning and curriculum implementation’ has just
been published in ‘Irish Educational Studies’. Geraldine is
involved in the Ubuntu Network, which focuses on Teacher
Education for Sustainable Development and has spearheaded a
project through this network which seeks to Build an
Appreciation of DE/ESD among Teaching Practice Tutors –
University of Limerick. Geraldine is a regular presenter at
Educational Development Conferences
4. Futsal
Derek O’Neill, Gerard Dunne
Derek O’Neill is currently the National Futsal Coordinator
with the F.A.I. Previously, Derek held the position of
National Coordinator for the FAI Summer Soccer Schools,
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
a programme which has grown to become the premier
soccer schools programme in the country.
Derek is a former League of Ireland player who over a career
spanning sixteen years played with clubs such as Shamrock
Rovers, St. Patrick’s Athletic, Bray Wanderers, Drogheda United
and Waterford United. Derek also played professionally in the
Australian National Soccer League with Wollongong Wolves
FC. At representative level, Derek played for the FAI National
League team in 1996 against England.
As well as playing professionally, Derek has also coached in the
League of Ireland and had two spells as first team coach of
premier league club, Longford Town during a season which
included the club playing in the UEFA Cup. Derek is a UEFA A
licensed football coach and also holds a Diploma in Sports
Management from University College Dublin.
Derek was the first person to introduce the sport of Futsal to
Ireland in 1999 and has since worked on behalf of the FAI to
develop the sport at all levels throughout Ireland. Derek is
currently the Head Coach of the Republic of Ireland Futsal team
who competed for the first time in the UEFA Championship
qualifiers last February 2009.
Derek is committed to developing the sport of Futsal in Ireland,
particularly among school children as he believes the game has
proven potential to accelerate the development of technical and
mental skills required to succeed in football. However, he also
believes it’s a game which promotes more active involvement, is
great fun and has a natural pedagogical influence with younger
players, thus reducing the need for frequent coach intervention in
order for a child to improve his or her level of ability.
Gerard Dunne is the National Coordinator for Schools, Colleges
and Universities with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
Previously, Gerard held the position within the Association of
Regional Development Officer for South Midlands. Gerard has
produced two strategic development plans for the FAI- a Schools
Development plan (2007-2010) and a Third level Football
Development Plan (2008-10) which also has the backing from
the Irish Football Association (Northern Ireland). Gerard was the
Men’s World University Games Football Assistant Manager in
Belgrade 2009 and has worked as Coach with the Women’s U19
and Senior International Squads from 2002 to 2008.He has also
worked as a video analyst with Irish International squads. He is a
UEFA A licensed football coach, a Coaching Ireland Tutor and is
currently studying a Masters in Sports Management from UCD.
Gerard is committed to developing the sport of Futsal in Ireland.
A major aim of both strategic plans is to get more players
playing the game in schools and at third level. The Buntús
programme in Primary Schools now has Futsal as a core part of
the programme as it includes Futsal balls equipment. Like Derek
he believes the game has proven potential to accelerate the
development of technical and mental skills required to succeed in
football. He also believes it’s a game which promotes more
active involvement, is great fun and allows the teachers to let the
children play without the need to have specialist coaching
qualifications.
The Futsal Presentation/practical session
A short power point presentation will introduce participants to
the sport of Futsal, the official UEFA and FIFA version of 5 a
side football. The presentation will highlight the benefits of
playing Futsal over traditional training methods for young
players employed in Ireland in recent decades and will outline
case study examples where Futsal has influenced football
development in other high profile playing countries. The
presentation will also outline a study comparing the development
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
potential of Futsal versus traditional 7 a side football played in
Ireland by young children.
A practical session will demonstrate the game and highlight the
advantages of playing it over traditional 5 a side and indeed
traditional training methods for the youngest children. The
session will demonstrate basic rules and outline how teachers can
introduce futsal to their students using the game to demonstrate
basic coaching points which will form the cornerstone of a young
player’s development.
5. Kerry Education Service JCPE Project 2007-2009
KES participating PE teachers
This is a round table, open forum session in which the teachers
involved in the Kerry Education Service (KES), Junior Cycle
Physical Education (JCPE) Project 2007-2009 share their
experiences and learning outcomes from the 2 Year Project.
Attendees will have the opportunity to interact, ask questions and
contribute to the discussions.
Teachers will:

Discuss the benefits and practicalities of setting up their
Community of Practice and also the challenges encountered
along the way.

Describe the planning involved and preparation undertaken
in the organization of 2 culminating Rich Tasks in Orienteering
for all 8 KES schools. This will include assessments used,
student feedback and up-skilling of teachers to teach the module
and to prepare students to compete in the Orienteering event.

Review the ‘Let’s Go Orienteering’ DVD made by
members of KES Community of Practice, in association with
FAS. The target audience for the DVD is essentially the students
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
themselves and so the DVD can be used as a teaching aid as well
as a teacher resource.

Discuss student response to Dance and offer strategies for
engaging students. The Dance DVD made as a resource for
teachers by Kerry PE teachers, in association with FAS, will also
be reviewed.

Provide information on how they used the wiki (an interactive web page specifically designed for the Community of
Practice) to share resources, plan and gather information.

Outline the Advocacy Programme they presented to Boards
of Management, Principals and the National Parents Congress
2009, in order to promote Physical Education in their schools.
Teachers will also discuss the outcomes that were achieved as a
result and future directions of the advocacy initiatives. The
inclusion of the ‘JCPE Student of the Year Award’ for the Kerry
Education Service Award’s Night in 2009 was an important part
of promoting Physical Education in the wider community and the
criteria used for student selection will be discussed and
evaluated.
3.30 – 4.30 Parallel Sessions C
1. Kickboxing Circuit & Core Challenge
Jackie Rutledge, Maeve Frawley
Jackie Ruttledge has a B.Sc in Health and leisure Studies,
MA in Health Promotion, and is a STOTT PILATES
Instructor.
Jackie is lecturing on both the P.E and Health and Leisure
Studies courses at the Institute of Technology, Tralee. Her
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
research interests include behaviour change and exercise
adherence.
Maeve Frawley is a graduate of the Institute of Technology
Tralee, where she graduated with an honours degree in Health,
Fitness and Leisure Studies. Currently, Maeve is a lecturer in
Health & Leisure, I.T. Tralee and works as a personal trainer and
group fitness instructor. Since 2000 she has been teaching classes
including: Aerobics, Step, Body Conditioning and Cardiokickboxing and has established her own business in the industry.
Currently Maeve is undertaking a MSc. in Exercise & Nutrition
Science from the University of Chester. Maeve is a keen
advocate in the areas of physical activity, sport and health and
has formerly competed for Ireland in Tae Kwon Do, for many
years.
Kickboxing Circuit and Core Challenge
This workshop will incorporate the components of health related
fitness in a safe, effective and fun session. The kickboxing circuit
will improve cardiovascular fitness, strength and endurance. The
core challenge will focus on improving musculoskeletal
performance through core strengthening and endurance exercises
using the principles of pilates.
2. Futsal (Details earlier)
3. Dance
Catherine Young
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
Catherine Young has been Dancer in Residence with Kerry
County Council from 2005-2009 working in collaboration with
Siamsa Tire (The National Folk Theatre of Ireland). She holds a
Certificate in Dance from City College of San Francisco and a
Masters Degree in Contemporary Dance from the University of
Limerick.Catherine spent 8 years in San Francisco
training/performing in theatre and dance as well training
extensively in New York, Europe & West Africa. Her repertory
includes contemporary/creative dance, ballet, jazz, hip hop, Afrohaitian, West African & Yoga.
In 2007 Catherine was awarded Ireland’s first “Per Cent for Arts
Dance Commission” which premiered at Siamsa Tire Tralee
going on to the Dublin Fringe Festival that same year and
in 2008 Catherine was awarded a bursary from the Arts Council
to pursue her choreographic endeavours both in contemporary
and African dance.
Catherine has taught dance extensively at all levels from the
professional arena to community level and since 2005 she has
taught extensively in the Kerry School system both to the
students as well as to PE teachers. She has delivered the Dept. of
Education In Service Training: "Introduction to Dance in
Primary Schools Program" since 2006 and this year in
collaboration with Kerry Local Sports Partnership and Kerry
Education Service, Catherine designed and delivered a dance
teacher training program designed to help Secondary School PE
teachers teach the dance modules of the curriculum. Working
extensively with youths, Catherine established Kerry Youth
Dance Theatre this year following the success of "Body Count" a
dance work choreographed with the students of Pobail Scoil
Inbhear Sceine (Kenmare) that has gone on to be performed at
the Wexford Opera House and also at the Irish Youth Dance
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
Festival in the Pavillion Theatre Dublin July 2009.
Other teaching credits include The Irish Academy of
Performing Arts, IT Tralee and the University of Limerick.
Catherine is a board member of Dance Research Forum Ireland
as well as an active member of Dance Ireland and is also a
certified practising Yoga Teacher.
4. Empowering People through Tennis
Dr. Alan Ringland
Dr Alan Ringland is an accredited Sport Psychologist with the
Irish Institute of Sport and BASES. Academically, he qualified
from the University of Wales with a B.A. (Hons.) in Physical
Education, completed a D.Phil at the University of Ulster in
Psychology and has a Masters in Education. He has previously
worked with Warrington Rugby League Club, the Lawn Tennis
Association and a variety of sports in Ireland and the United
Kingdom. He has published in both Physical Education and
Sport Psychology and recently travelled as official sport
psychologist to Beijing with the Irish Paralympic Team. Alan
comes from Co. Down and has always followed an interest in
sport where he played representative tennis, hockey and
badminton at Irish and Welsh national standards, as well as being
a coach in all three sports. His areas of interest include:
Psychological skill advances, skill acquisition and coaching
style, youth sport parenting styles and physical education
pedagogy.
4.30 – 5.30 Physical Education, A Management Perspective
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
Ted Owens, CEO Cork City VEC
Maintaining Standards, where are we now?
Dept. of Education & Science, PE Inspectorate
Tony Weir, Seanie McGrath
Sunday 4th October, 2009:
9.30 – 10.45 Parallel Sessions D
1. Adventure Activities in Orienteering
Donal Dowd
Donal Dowd is the managing director of Cappanalea OEC, the
premier Outdoor Education Centre in Ireland. He has worked as
a professional outdoor instructor for over 28 years. He is actively
involved in training individuals in mountaineering; orienteering;
climbing; canoeing and sailing. As a qualified European
Mountain Leader, he has a depth of experience in
mountaineering and wilderness expeditioning. He has climbed in
many wilderness areas around the world and has lead and
participated in a number of overseas expeditions. He was a leader
and trainer in the Beyond Endurance expedition and led one of
the roped parties on the South Georgia Traverse.
In 2008 he was appointed as an Associate with Junior Cycle
Physical Education Support Service and ran a number of inservices on the Adventure Activities Module. He was a key
player in the KES Physical Education Initiative and was
responsible for integrating the local sports partnership and
sporting clubs into the project.
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
2. Aqua Fit
Eileen Sayers, Karen Weekes
Eileen Sayers, B.Sc, M.Sc. is currently lecturing on the Physical
Education and Health and Leisure courses in the Institute of
Technology Tralee. She is a tutor in aquafit, swim teaching and
lifeguarding. Eileen is a former Kerry Senior Ladies football
stalwart & currently puts her energy & expertise to use while
coaching Kerry ladies Gaelic football underage teams.
Karen Weekes, BSc. (Hons) Sports and Leisure Studies
(Management), University of Ulster, Jordanstown; MSc. (Hons)
Sports Psychology, DCU.
At present Karen is undertaking a PhD, which focuses on the
cognitive coping strategies of elite ultra endurance athletes, while
also undertaking lecturing duties in IT Tralee in the PE and
Health and Leisure strands. Karen is an avid outdoor pursuit
expert, spending her leisure time mountain biking all over the
world.
Aquatics pool session:
The aquatics session will provide the participant with practical
ideas for various types of pool session activities which can be
incorporated into a school’s PE programme. It will include
elements of aqua aerobics, aqua circuits and aqua jogging.
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
11.0 Mt. Brandon Ascent
12.0 Golf – Castlegregory Golf Club
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee
PEAI Conference 2009, hosted by the Institute of Technology, Tralee