4 years ago (2006) while studying Sports Science at Dublin City University and working as a Strength and Conditioning coach with young football players I became aware that Coaches in Ireland didn’t have access to top class physical training tools or practical information.
My sporting background lies in football having played at the top level throughout my youth, picking up a few schoolboy International caps along the way (all the time hating physical training!).
A lot of the Strength and Conditioning stuff out there was a bit high-end, very expensive, complicated and not exactly user friendly.
As a consequence young and developing athletes were not getting the best training possible and couldn’t hope to reach their full potential; no matter how naturally talented or tough they were.
I dug into the scientific literature (mainly work from the states and Eastern Europe) and started putting together some easy to read mini-books dealing with all areas of foundational physical training- or what I began to call Athletic Development.
Some lecturers at D.C.U liked my stuff and recommended that I try to develop it further. So I did; and it took me nearly 4 years to establish Athletic Development as it is today.
I have a great team of experts with me and we are all passionate about the simple idea of Laying the Foundations of Success; allowing coaches to focus their limited time developing the quality technical and tactical exercises that Athletic Development’s tools may complement and enhance.
At Athletic Development our goal is to educate and empower Irish coaches to successfully develop Irish athletes with a scientifically proven; yet user-friendly, practical approach to physical training.
With Athletic Development you can be confident in the knowledge that you are giving your athletes the very best training possible- trust me I’ve done the research!
Eddie Smith, B.Sc., C.S.C.S.,
Founder, Athletic Development.
The one trying (and failing!) not to laugh.
