The Training was delivered by WSP Sports Development Officer, Peter Jones, assisted by Darragh O’Connell. The aim of this course is to equip the participant with the necessary skills to lead a walking group and show them practical examples of different walking techniques.
As part of the training the group completed the Anne Valley Walk which starts in Dunhill village and winds through forest and marsh land next to the river Anne. This is a protected wildlife area and the newly developed paths allow comfortable wheelchair and buggy access with no steep slopes. This was a perfect location to deliver the course.
Feedback from the participants was very positive; course participant Annette Atkins said, “The course was very helpful to get me more active”. Fellow participant Susie Duffin said “Who knew there was a lot to walking, I learned more than I had anticipated.”.Dunhill Multi-Education Centre Coordinator Helen Kavanagh said, “The Recreational Tourism and Trails Programme learners were delighted to participate in this short Walking Leader Training Programme with WSP. The walking skills learned will assist them in developing their own personal fitness through walking, in the walking they will undertake as part of their study of the trails of County Waterford, as well as perhaps in a community/voluntary walking guide setting and in their future work life in the tourism and trails industries in Waterford”.
For further information on Walking Leader Training please contact Pauline Cunningham, Sports Development Officer, Waterford Sports Partnership on 051-849855 or pcunningham@waterfordsportspartnership.ie
