Last Updated on January 3, 2023 by Andrew Pirie
2015 Davao City Tagum Clinics In Hindsight
Feb 13, 2015
As part of the Davao trip, I also ventured North with a small group to the new sports facility for Tagum Training. At the 2014 Palarong Pambansa, I was accompanied by Airnel T. Abarra, pinoyathletics writer and organizer of the Davao Blue Knights meet, Bev Tariao, former local sprinter Maricris Caintic, the silver medalist in the Uni Games Triple Jump.
We were greeted by the bi-spectacled Giovanni Galunes, the sports director of Tagum, and his assistant Chris a sports science graduate of UST. They showed us an excellent video of ten local indigenous children supported by the government and developed as long-distance runners.
After lunch, I took the athletes to train at Tagum, used for the 2015 Palarong Pambansa. As most of the kids had competed on Saturday and attended that clinic, I didn’t expect a huge turnout from the locals as many were resting or had the family day.
However, it was good actually working with a small group to give more attention and feedback. Bev and Caintic were joined by John Kenneth Paculba, a young local sprinter who had just clocked in at 11.2s yesterday, and his two training partners also sprinters.
Nice new stadium
The new stadium was really nice. However, they informed us they were still getting equipment in. We were planning for Caintic to do some jumping, and on inspection of the pit, it looked like concrete with several large stones in it. I immediately requested a rake and spade.
After around 40 minutes, a spade and rake were located by the groundsman, and he, myself, and two of the boys started preparing the pit.
Once we did this, I got the athletes to go for a one-lap easy jog, in addition to that, with AIMS stretching. Then, after the AIMS Stretching, we did sprint drills.
However, I gave feedback as I watched them go one by one, which, as it was a group of five, still took some time. After that, however, it was easier to get through.
The next part was to get them to do 3 runs over 50m at 80-90% effort. After that, they were to go individually. Finally, I got Airnel to video each one from the front, back, and side.
Kenneth had issues with the knee lift and backside mechanics, probably due to a recurring foot injury. The other 2 boys had issues with backside mechanics. However, not a knee lift. Caintic needed to fix her arm swing, and there were also backside mechanic issues.
Analysis
Bev didn’t seem to have major backside mechanic issues and had very nice acceleration for someone who has been out of the sport for a few years. The problem was her arm swing and tightness in the upper body. It’s clear that Bev, with a PB around 13.5, could be a sub 13 sprinter due to the amount of power generated at the start.
I then got Kenneth to rest as his foot injury had flared up and got the other 2 boys and Bev to do some block starts. Again Bev demonstrated a very nice example of acceleration similar to the start of a speed skater; however, her actual arm swing needed quite a lot of work. The boys seemed to be ok going out of the blocks. However, I needed to transition better.
Between the rest of the block starts, I dabbled with some jump coaching—Caintic studies at the University of Mindanao and is coached by an old friend Harrish Ratag. I was able to get permission to bring her up to Tagum to get some jumping videos for further analysis. (videos still coming). Caintic is being eyed right now for intake into Philippine Airforce when she graduates.
Jumping Board
One thing to note is that the jumping board is tough wood, almost like concrete. Caintic was taking off 50-60cm before the committee, probably cause she was scared she would injure herself if she hit it. Her leaps varied from 10.90m to 11.43m; however, every spring increased; she had 5 jumps. Her PB is 11.84m, so possibly in better shape than that right now, judging by the fact she was taking off early.
2015 Davao and Tagum Clinics
Feb 11, 2015
After three legs of time trials, the Davao City-Team Blue Knights Monthly Track Meet concluded with its grand finals at the Fr. Martinez, Sports Complex Track Oval, Ateneo de Davao University-Matina Campus on 07-February.
Athletes from different Davao Region, including Davao, Tagum, and Digos, unleased their skills.
As part of educating the Athletes, the organizers invited Philippine Sports Commissioner Representative Andrew William Pirie to grace the opening ceremonies.
To provide new inputs and learning experiences in Athletics, Mr. Pirie shared his skills and knowledge with the athletes and coaches in a sprinting clinic during the noon break. In addition, participating Athletes enjoyed the snacks provided by the Ateneo de Davao Varsity Parents Council, and winners of various events received gift packs from Scotch, Post-it by 3M.
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“Honored today to be invited to Davao, representing on behalf of my boss PSC Commissioner Jolly Gomez. I would like to share this inspirational message with you the Davao Athletic Community.”
“Delivering this motto which sums up the Batang Pinoy and National Games projects of the PSC. Being involved in sports builds lessons and values that last a life time”.
Covered in the Clinic
- Aims Workout
- Basic Speed Drills (no time to go into advanced due to time constraints and lots of younger athletes)
- Looking at running mechanics, back-end mechanics, etc. evaluations
Around 50-60 Participants.
Duration around 2 hours
Schedule Itinerary
06 Feb
- Arrived in Davao City
- Hostel Check-in
- Dinner
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07 Feb
- (read the message on behalf of com Gomez)
- 6.00 Monthly meet AM Session Finals start
- 12.00 Lunch at Vikings for 31st Birthday
- 15.00 Clinic (AIMS and Sprint Drills)
- 16.30 Monthly Meet PM Session Finals start
- Dinner
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08 Feb
- 7.30 Check out of the hostel
- 11.00 Arrived in Tagum meet Giovani (me, caintic, Bev and airnel)
- Lunch
- Training Session with Maricris Caintic (jumper – 5 triple jumps and drills)
- Training Session with 3 local sprinters and Bev (drills and block starts)
- Departure to Manila
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Things I have worked on
- Research Assistant for PSC
- Consultant for Athletics and Fil-Heritage athletes
- ATFS Statistician
- Former JR National Athlete Philippine Athletics
- Editor Pinoyathletics.info
- Co-Manager of 2014 ASEAN School Games
- Philippine Airforce Co-Manager
- Selector ASEAN School Games and other teams
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References:
http://athletics.addu.edu.ph/addu-monthly-track-meet-first-season-ends-with-a-bang/
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Andrew was elected Vice President of the Association of Track and Field Statisticians in 2020 after being a member for 7 years.
He has worked as a PSC Consultant and Research Assistant from 2013-2015, Consultant, and Sprint Coach at Zamboanga Sports Academy from 2015-2017. And Currently is Consultant Coach with VMUF 2021-
Current editor and chief of Pinoyathletics.info, and has recently done consultancy work for Ayala Corp evaluating the Track and Field Program.
Coaches Sprints, Middle and Jump events he is Level 3 Athletics Australia Coaching Certification in Sprints and Hurdles.
Currently working towards a Masters Degree in Education.
He can be contacted on [email protected]
You can find more information on Coaching here
http://www.pinoyathletics.info/coaching-2/