Mercia Fell Runners Club

I now have the dates etc. for the next batch of leader and coaching courses - these are also on the FRA website.
 
There are two courses offered at present. The LiRF (Leader in Running Fitness) is the equivalent of the old level one course and covers organising running groups, covering things like warm-ups, training sessions, safety, etc. at a fairly basic level. It is specifically tailored to Fell and Mountain Runningand is an official UKA qualification. This course lasts a day and will be run three times in 2012:
 

• Mytholmroyd, near Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire on 28th April 2012;
• Kendal (south Lakes) on 20th May 2012; and
• Church Stretton (c'mon, you know where that is) on 30th June 2012.

 
Obviously the Church Stretton one is very convenient for most of our members. There are already 10 leaders trained from Mercia and several more from neighbouring clubs. There were a couple of people who were interested last year and missed out because of the dates, though. Priority for funding will be given to these and to anyone who will go on and complete the coaching course (see below) in the Autumn. For more information, please talk to one of those who did the course last year: these include me, Dick Scroop, Mark Agnew, Tim Werrett, Colin Williamson, Naomi Watson, Dianne Spencer, Paul Cadman, Dan Brazier and Phil Clarke. Noel Hogan, Andy Coles and Sandy McKenzie from Newport, Paul Beeson and Glyn Fletcher from Maldwyn, and Dom Kirby from Shrewsbury AC also did the course if it's easier to catch up with one of them.
 
The Fell and Mountain Running Coach course is the equivalent of the old level 2 coaching award. The course is fairly intense and takes place over two weekends (6th/7th October - we know it clashes with the Relays but I guess we can spare a couple of folks from marshalling / helping if you're not required on the fell to bring home the silverware - and 10th/11th November) with a further assessment day (likely to be early in 2013). In addition you will have to commit to a period of supported coaching practise, comprising a minimum of two sessions between the two course weekends and four sessions between the second course weekend and the assessment day. As the club is looking to expand its offer in terms of coaching and to develop our less experienced and our junior runners, we will be looking for some volunteers for this course too. We are exploring our options for funding places on this course. Dick Scroop and myself have both recently completed the course and can answer any questions.
 
Initially for either course, please could you contact me and let me know if you are interested: I already have four expressions of interest for the LiRF course, and the total number of places is limited to 20 at each venue.
 
Jim Tinnion
jim.tinnion@googlemail.com