Zeminar 2016 - Gymnastics for Teachers, students and budding coaches
19th October 2016, 00:00a.m.
Gymnastics Ireland joined over 100 exhibitors, 75 speakers and 20,000 students at Ireland’s largest Youth Summit, Zeminar, in the RDS last week. Zeminar is an event for Generation Z, particularly those aged between 15 and 20, and their parents, teachers, mentors and coaches. Teenagers from schools across Ireland came to try out new sports, listen to talks and meet new people. As part of the partnership of Zeminar with the Federation of Irish Sport, Gymnastics Ireland joined an array of other sporting bodies in the Sports Corner of the RDS.
Gymnastics Ireland had a stand and screen at the three day event and had the opportunity to talk to the many Primary school teachers and PE teachers looking for information on our GymSTART Awards scheme for their schools. Plenty of teenagers took the opportunity to find out more information too. Some of them looking to get back into the sport as athletes and coaches and others, beginners, looking for information on their nearest club and how to start in the sport – you’re never too old for Gymnastics!
Gymnastics Ireland spoke to many of the mentors and coaches from other backgrounds and sports too about our GymEDGE coaching programme and how it can integrate and develop their skills. Gymnastics Ireland also got an opportunity to liaise and network with other exhibitors at Zeminar and we look forward to collaborating with some of those over the coming months.
Our Participation Manager, Aimi Baker and our Education Manager Garrett Buckley were on hand over the three days to chat the students and teachers and Mr. Buckley had this to say about his experience of the event.
“It was a fantastic to be able to engage with teenagers, teachers and coaches across Ireland. The event gave us an opportunity to promote both the participation and coach education programmes we deliver at Gymnastics Ireland. Education and participation are key areas in developing gymnastics and it was exciting to see the huge interest over the three days we attended”.