Just when I was thinking that I was on the wane, I read with much interest that my good friend and fellow Ballina man, Denis Coen, is on the sports seminar route again and poses a very interesting question: Can you increase performance by the way you think?
Just in case there is any misinterpretation, Denis is not talking about helping those with domestic issues over their personal lives but rather he is referring to sporting performances, which is why I switched off straightaway, only joking Denis. As herself would say, anything that can increase my performance in anything at this time of the year is more than welcome.

The cost of attendance at this one-day elite performance workshop is €50 and it is limited to 16 places.
Dates include the William Park Hotel, Claremorris, on Saturday, January 22 and the Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone, on Saturday, January 29. Win two free passes for the seminar at the bottom of this column.

Cora and Christina honoured

Two of Mayo's finest, footballers and females, were recently honoured, and in many respects were it not for the female of our species it would have been a poor sporting year.
To celebrate the 10th year of TG4's sponsorship of the ladies football championships, a special banquet was held in Croke Park where the TG4 Ladies Football Team of the Decade was announced and well done to our two Mayo girls who made the cut.

Eight counties were represented and Christina Heffernan and Cora Staunton were selected at centre forward and corner forward respectively for their outstanding contribution to ladies football in general and in particular for their contribution to the Mayo cause over a long number of years.

Well done ladies and let's hope the men of Mayo can follow your example in the coming year.
Pictured are Christina Heffernan, left, and Caroline Brogan, chairperson of the Mayo County Board, who collected the award on behalf of Cora Staunton.

And finally

To those out there who have appeared in this column, mostly against their own will, may I wish you all a very peaceful and a very happy Christmas, that is, if you can get out of the house.

The bad news is that the Melvine will be back in the New Year so fasten your seat belts. For those waiting for their settlement cheques from my lawyers allow me to apologise for the delay and for anyone I have offended, my sincere apologies as this is not the kind of column that likes to add misery to our already miserable lives, but if I have brought a bit of mischief and even a smile to my readers then I'm happy.

One of the criticisms I have had to accept during the year was my abject failure to keep the pressure on Manchester United fans and the apparent folding of the ABU Club.
Let me assure you that the ABUs are as alive as ever but like some of the top banking officials, they have gone underground. However, they are launching a covert operation after Christmas.

The tragedy is we may have to live another season with the Red Devils lifting the Premiership. That is almost worse than the combined cold spell and recession.
Have a good one.

We have two free passes to give away for the seminar. Answer the following question and send answers to John Melvin, Sports Desk, Connaught Telegraph, Cavendish Lane Castelbar or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Denis Coen played in an All-Ireland club final for what Mayo club side?

Can you increase performance by the way you think?

The above question is posed by Denis Coen, a performance mind coach who has been involved in sport for over 25 years. He plans to answer this question at his unique workshops and events that take place nationwide in 2011, with two local dates slotted in for Claremorris and Enniscrone.

This dynamic and elite performance workshop is designed for athletes, coaches and players to gain a mental edge in their required sport. It will assist athletes at all levels in realising what it takes to increase performance.
You will learn key insights and cutting edge strategies to perform at the highest level. The event is designed to be fun, exciting, informative and interactive.

The workshop includes the following topics: how to develop a winning mindset; the human mind - gaining control over your thoughts; understanding the importance of your belief system; understanding motivation; how to develop and maintain self-confidence; the importance of effective goal setting; developing a professional attitude.

This is a high-energy workshop on winning the mental game in sport. The focus is based on mental preparation. It will also focus on the characteristics and principals on becoming an elite performing athlete.
As athletes we can become what we want by changing our mindset. Every player, coach and manager knows that changing a losing mindset to a winning one can be a very challenging task.
Denis teaches 'why' and 'how' athletes can change their mindset and develop the attitude of a champion.
The cost of attendance to this one-day elite performance workshop is €50. The workshop is limited to 16 places only.

To book, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your name and phone number or call (087) 1401062.

 

( 1 Vote )