Welsh Athletics endurance regional development programme 2022-2023

As the 2021-2022 season comes towards a close, I thought this would be a good opportunity to let you know what is being planned for junior endurance in Wales for the 2022-2023 season. The aim for these plans is to ensure we can provide Welsh junior endurance athletes with the best possible support so that they continue to both enjoy the sport and progress. In the longer term this will increase retention in the sport and increase the conversion of talented junior endurance athletes into successful senior endurance athletes who reach their potential.
In this email I will go through plans for the Regional Development Programme (RDP). I will go through the National Development Programme (NDP), Future Programme and Welsh International Opportunities in future emails (would be an essay if went through them all in one email!)
Regional Development Programme (RDP):We will be continuing the great work done by Liz Davies on the RDP over the last few years. This programme is for athletes from year 9 to year 13 who are showing potential and have demonstrated a commitment to both training and competition. Athletes are only ever at one stage of the development programme so if an athlete is selected, for example, on the NDP then they will be in that rather than on the RDP. Athletes must be in at least year 11 before they can be selected for the NDP.
The RDP involves three training days a year which will give both athletes and coaches ideas for both running sessions and physical preparation work that Welsh Athletics believe should be a regular and consistent part of the training programmes that all developing junior endurance athletes do within their regular training groups/clubs. These days should also be fun and something that both athletes and coaches look forward to engaging with.
The training days and venues are as follows:
RDP day 1: Saturday 8th October 10:00-12:00West – CarmarthenSouth – AberdareNorth – TreborthEast – Brecon

RDP day 2:Sunday 15th January 10:00-12:00West – SwanseaSouth – Cardiff MetNorth – DeesideEast – Brynmawr

RDP day 3:Sunday 19th March 10:00-12:00West – CarmarthenSouth – AberdareNorth – Deeside East – possibly Cwmbran (to be confirmed)

Regional Staff:
The staff for leading in each region are as follows:
West: regional coordinator – Neil Thomas; support coaches – Carol Jones and Rob CampionSouth: regional coordinator – Mark Gold; support coaches – Pete Ryder and Lucy ArcherNorth: regional coordinator – John Messum; support coaches – Neil Edwards and Donna WelshEast: regional coordinator – Steve Mitchell; support coaches – Deb Howells and Tom Marshall
Firstly, I want to say congratulations to Mark Gold on being selected as the South Wales regional coordinator. I am sure he will do a fantastic job in the role.
Secondly, as I am currently acting as the Welsh Athletics National Talent Development Coordinator for endurance on an interim basis until the end of October, it has been decided that for now I will keep my role as the East Wales regional coordinator. Depending on what happens from the end of October will depend on what happens with this role moving forward.
In September regional coordinators will be sending out invites to athletes selected to be on the RDP 2022-2023. They will also be sending out information regarding what will be happening in each of the three RDP training sessions so that they can be planned into the regular training you have for athletes you coach. 
I hope this all makes sense with regards to plans for the RDP 2022-2023. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions and to pass on the information to other coaches and networks you are a part of. I will send an email out about the NDP for endurance next week and about junior endurance international teams for 2022-2023 shortly after.

Many thanks
Steve