TRAINING 4 SUCCESS CONFERENCE
Tuesday 15th May 2007
30 talented sports performers and their supporters attended this years event, held at Winston Churchill Sports Centre, Woking. Organised jointly by Active Surrey Sports Partnership and Woking Sports Council, the conference aimed to provide local talented athletes with useful information on a range of skills and techniques they could use to improve strength and conditioning or confidence during performance. During a 2 hour workshop, Nick Ball, lecturer at Portsmouth University, demonstrated the importance of core stability, whilst Dearbhla McCullough, lecturer at Roehampton University, guided the athletes through methods of visualisation and goal setting.
All attendees witnessed the launch of Winston Churchill Sports Centre as the 40th leisure facility in Surrey to join the FANS scheme. The FANS scheme has so far supported over 600 national sportspeople by providing free access to training facilities in Surrey. 13 local support services such as physiotherapists and nutritionists also offer discounted rates to FANS members.
To find out more about Winston Churchill Sports Centre, click here>>
Winston Churchill presented with FANS certificate Athletes try out some core stability exercises
Sunday 26 February 2006
Following its success in 2005, this was the second conference of its kind and aimed to again provide talented sportspeople with the support they need to continue to develop their performance and strive for excellence in their chosen sport.
The 2006 Training 4 Success conference took place at the University of Surrey and ran from 10am - 4pm.
Attendees heard from a panel of elite athletes and inspirational speakers from the English Institute of Sport. They also took part in a number of workshops. From maintaining focus to sport injury and active recovery, the aim was to inspire them to achieve at the highest possible level.
The conference was open to talented sportspeople either on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), taking advantage of Free Access for National Sportspeople, or part of a University Elite Sports Performer programme. 80 athletes and parents/coaches attended on the day.
Further information about the keynote speakers
Mike Whitingham, Performance Director - UK Sport
Mike is involved in the organisation of performance sport at a national and international level. The Keynote focused on the exciting opportunities available to young athletes. Having just returned from the Winter Olympics in Turn, Mike told the athletes they are at base camp, ready to embark on an exciting expedition to fulfill their potential.
Jean Watson, Athlete Services Manager - English Institute of Sport
Jean spoke about how to improve the athlete to reach a higher degree of self management and professionalism and to maintain a balanced lifestyle which therefore improves performance.
Further information about the panel of elite athletes
Claire Taylor - Womens Cricket - member of winning Ashes team 2005
Clare Strange - Womens Wheelchair Basketball Team, went to Athens Paralympic Games 2004
Toby Pawson - Disabled Equestrian, Paralympic Dressage Squad 2006
Ian Rose - Visually Impaired member of British Judo Team, winning silver at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens
Alison Mowbray - Rowing, now retired, part of Womens Quad in Athens, winning silver medal
Tegwen Willis - Rowing, now retired.
Further information about the workshop sessions
Six workshops were available and attendees chose three from the following list:
- Immune System and Training. Insight into the effect of exercise on the immune system and risk of developing a cough/cold.Methods on reducing risk of picking up infections and the role of nutritional supplementation in preventing infection.
- The Role of Strength and Conditioning for the Athlete. Information on the role of strength and conditioning in athletic development and the different components of training that can be utilised to improve performance.
- Dealing with Distractions in sport. Helping Athletes to become more aware of how to deal with the various distractions that accompany top level sporting performance.
- How to maintain focus during peak performance. Try out some psychological techniques and discuss how these can be used to maintain peak performance during a competitive event.
- Sport Injury and Active Recovery. Information on how to best avoid common injuries and also provide you with some practical tips on how to recover quickly and effectively therefore reducing your chance of injury reoccurence.
- Creating the stronger Athlete. Do you believe in yourself? Are you always motivated? Designed to help you gain more self belief in your performance and it will include techniques to help motivate you through the tough times.
If you would like to be sent the lecture notes from the above workshops, please e-mail your request to susan.bovill@surreycc.gov.uk
- PERFORMERS. The conference was only open to FANS members, athletes on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), those that are part of a University/College Elite Sports Performer programme and schoolchildren on Gifted & Talented Programmes.
- PARENTS / COACHES. Whilst the conference was aimed at sports performers, many of the speakers and workshops were of interest to key supporters such as parents/ guardians and coaches - these individuals were also invited to attend.
- PSYCHOLOGY OF TRAINING. Your future success comes down to how much you believe is possible and your strategy for making it happen. In this session you will learn how to create empowering beliefs and how to build a strategy to take you to the next level and beyond.
- PERFORMANCE AND CAREER SUPPORT. Sport is a big part of your life, but how long will this continue? How will you fit work around your commitment to high level sport? What options are available to you during your career in sport? This session is designed to help answer these questions.
- SPORTS INJUSRY AND ACTIVE RECOVERY. These sessions will give you information on how to best avoid common injuries and also provide you with some practical tips on how to recover quickly and effectively therefore reducing your chance of injury recurrence.
- PERFORMANCE PROFILING. An interactive session enabling you to become more aware of the qualities required to perform in your sport in addition to establishing what you perceive to be your strengths and weaknesses. You will also take away a copy of your profile, highlighting areas which can be discussed with your coach.
- STRONG TO THE CORE. Why is core strength so important and how to develop your core strength.
- WHAT TO DO IN THE LAST 5 MINUTES BEFORE COMPETITION. These sessions will give you a chance to try out some psychological techniques yourself and discuss how these could be built into your psychological preparation for a competitive event.
- REHYDRATE YOURSELF: HOW THIRSTY ARE YOU? How to assess dehydration, make your own sports drinks and choosing the correct fluids.
- A TESTING TIME FOR ATHLETES. The fight against the use of performance enhancing drugs - who is doing it, how are they doing it and what happens if you are caught?
- GRABBING THE HEADLINES. Simple ways to promote yourself to the local media and techniques to improve your interview skills.
- CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPY FOR ELITE PERFORMANCE. How hypnotherapy can improve athletic performance.
