The Performer Development Centres (PDC’s) provide excellent support services to some of Northern Ireland’s aspiring sporting stars within Olympic and Commonwealth sports. Athletes will be able to access the core services of Strength and Conditioning and Physiotherapy; in addition elements of Performance Planning and Performance Lifestyle will be integrated into the athlete’s programme.
The purpose of these centres is to refine and improve current talent development systems and structures by bridging the gap between governing body programmes and the work of the Sports Institute Northern Ireland (SINI).
The three centres are situated in Cookstown, Lisburn and Belfast, and are designed to offer valuable support to up and coming athletes. These centres are hosted by Cookstown District Council (at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena), Lisburn City Council (at the Lagan Valley Leisureplex), and St Mary’s University College, Belfast.
Sport NI Chief Executive Eamonn McCartan said this,
“The PDC’s are an important part of Sport Northern Ireland’s long term vision for building a Performance Sport system in Northern Ireland. We must offer all emerging talented athletes an opportunity to develop their talent.”
Stephen Campbell, who is a blind Paralympic swimmer for Northern Ireland, has been part of the PDC system over the last few months said this,
“The PDC in Cookstown has definitely helped my performances, the Physio and S&C support has made a big difference to my performance in the pool, we have been able to look at my technique and work out how we use the sessions in the gym and physio to make a difference. I really enjoy coming to Cookstown to train and it is great having training time away from the pool each week.”
Athletes can gain entry to the PDC programme through application to Sport Northern Ireland made by their governing body.
