Hackett aiming to sow seeds of growth at grassroots level

ATHLETICS: If the Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI) appointed Brendan Hackett to spearhead a successful campaign at the Beijing Olympics they've got the wrong man. "Realistically Beijing will be a repeat of Athens," says Hackett. "We've done nothing different, so why should we expect something different?"

As the man to spearhead the return of athletics to its rightful place in Irish sport, however, Hackett seems ideally qualified. The 44-year-old sports and fitness consultant, who was last week named the AAI chief executive officer, yesterday outlined his vision for Irish athletics, and it starts with the grassroots of the sport.

"All the evidence is that it can take around 10 years to reach the top of any sport," adds Hackett. "That's why kids successful at soccer or rugby are starting at six or seven, and reaching international level in their grade by the time they're 18 or 19.

"But right now I believe the participation level in athletics is low, very low, so that has to be a priority. If we get that level up we'll always find more potential, and if we can develop those then we could well end up with maybe 10 or 12 athletes that can compete on the international stage.

"So I would emphasise the participation, because that's where we need to make inroads. Other sports are doing that, and we're being left with the crumbs. If we don't start working at that level we'll fall further behind. The great thing about athletics is that you can do it in a yard or a field or anywhere, but you still need the personnel there."

Hackett brings a range of experience to the position, starting with his PE background, with further qualifications in coaching and also psychology. He's been involved with GAA teams, including managerial stints with Longford and Offaly, and also coached several international athletes including James Nolan and Maria Lynch.

It was his teaching background - as well as his love of athletics - that drew him to the job: "I was a PE teacher, first and foremost, so I've always had that interest in teaching people sport . . . I see athletics as a fantastic sport, which should be getting to a lot more people involved, and the amateur structures can't possibly do that anymore. This is the first real chance to put a professional structure in place, and I suppose that's what drew me to it.

"What I'm very excited about is the programmes we're putting in place, excited about delivering them to teachers. I've seen what they can do when they're given a bit of confidence. We've just never communicated these in the right way in the past. The GAA have it, with their Go Games. The FAI have their Kick-start programme. We've nothing."

Hackett's appointment is the first of several full-time positions being sought by the AAI as they implement a blueprint for the future. Developed in close consultation with the Irish Sports Council, that blueprint goes before an AGM on December 3rd, and when fully implemented will cost around €2 million annually - a large chunk of which will be generated through sponsorship. The other positions will head new committees in finance, coaching, high performance, competitions and schools. The AAI will also be looking to tap into the mass participation end of the sport to increase resources.

Hackett's vision is based on the "three P's" - participation, which he wants to increase, on potential, which he wants to develop, and on performance, which he wants to enhance. He believes the elite end of the sport can only improve if the "three P's" work together.

"Identifying talent is another area that needs to be addressed. Some countries like Sweden and Morocco have done this very well. We should be out looking at 13- and 14-year-olds right now, looking at schools competitions, if we are serious about the London Olympics and beyond.

"That potential is there, but the problem is they'll probably be in Croke Park or Lansdowne Road in 2012. So doing that kind of work in primary and secondary schools is also what motivates me, where I know we can also improve the quality of coaching. There should also be more options for youngsters to go down to their local club and get a very strong grounding in the sport."

Hackett begins his duties from January 1st, initially for a three-year period. Not that he's thinking short-term. "As a coach I've always been interested in seeing people reach their potential . . . I'm really interested in the potential. The bottom line for me is to develop the sport, and leave it in a better position when I do move on. But of course I still get very excited about Irish athletics going to major championships. So I don't want them coming back anymore saying they didn't have the right coaching or back-up or whatever it is they feel is lacking."