Monaghan man Barry Dolan travels to the Netherlands to participate in a unique Coaching Education Tour with Dutch football club, Vitesse Arnhem.
Mr Dolan coordinators the award winning Moving On Sport and Recreation Programme, based in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, which helps learners to develop knowledge and skills through adult education with a focus on sports and recreation.
The Moving On programme were winners of the prestigious AONTAS STAR Award in 2018 and the prize included an opportunity to take part in an ERASMUS+ KA1 programme. During Mr Dolan’s learning exchange he will observe, study and review one of the most successful high performance youth development coaching programmes in the Netherlands and bring back new knowledge and ideas to Monaghan.
Speaking before the trip Mr Dolan said: “I’m slightly nervous, but looking forward to the experience where I will get the opportunity to share views on coaching philosophies, observe coaching sessions and learn about sport science and performance from international coaching staff. I look forward to sharing my experience with our learners and sports teams in our community.”
The trip is one of 22 learning exchanges organised by AONTAS, the national adult learning organisation, to support the professional development of adult and community education practitioners in Ireland through the ERASMUS+ programme.
Speaking about the visit AONTAS CEO Niamh O’Reilly said: “We’re delighted to offer this opportunity to STAR Award winners, the Moving On Programme. Ireland’s lifelong learning system has a great reputation at EU level and ERAMSUS+ offers the opportunity to not only engage in continuous professional development but share expertise and importantly enable intercultural learning.
AONTAS is committed to supporting its members to take up ERASMUS+ opportunities for reciprocal learning and to bring back new ideas, and perhaps a renewed appreciation of the expertise that exists in further, adult and community education. Ultimately it’s about adult learners benefiting from well trained staff.
ENDS
Contact: Katie O’Rourke, Communications Lead AONTAS, Tel: 01-4068220/ 086-1579418, Email: korourke@aontas.com.