The Coach

Tony Fearon

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National Governing Body Awards.

  • ABMG Certified guide
  • Cycling Ireland Mountain Bike Leader (MBL)
  • Cycling Ireland Trail Cycle Leader (TCL)
  • REC Level 2 First Aid
  • MLTUK Mountain Leader Award, Summer. (ML,S)
  • MLTUK Single Pitch Award. (SPA)
  • MLTUK Climbing Wall Award & Abseil Module (CWA, CWAA)
  • BCU/UKCC Level 2 Paddling Coach
  • Leave No Trace Trainer
  • ERCA High & Low Ropes Course Instructor

Mountainbiking is what got me into the outdoors. For about 15 years now I’ve been on a bike in some form or other. Growing up in Rostrevor was a bonus, you’d be hard pushed to find a better venue for mountainbiking in Ireland. Over the years I’ve travelled all over Europe mountainbiking. It has taken me to some incredible places. I’ve also raced downhill at National level in the past, so have experience of competing at the top level. For me though it just comes back to getting away from it all with a couple of mates and having a bit of craic. The last few years have seen bigger mountain trips such as the walkers Haute Route via bike. Some big things planned for the coming years too!

At Uni I joined Queen’s Mountaineering Club. This is where I got into climbing and mountaineering. A trip to El Chorro sport climbing and there was no going back, I was hooked! Trips to the Alps and Scotland confirmed this new addiction.

After Uni I decided to give a career in the outdoors a go. This led me to Tollymore National Outdoor Centre being awarded a place on the Instructor Development Program. Through this I’ve had an opportunity to gain many National Governing Body awards, but the main thing I’ve learnt is how to coach and lead effectively. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside the top coaches in Ireland and from further afield. These guys are working alongside National Governing Bodies to develop the future of  outdoor sports in Ireland, so getting the opportunity to work with them has been priceless.”