PUBLISHED 08 December 2020
New Sports Development Programme launches at AKS, November 2020
Our new Enhanced Sports Performance Programme (ESPP) was launched in November at AKS to address the physical, psychological, technical and tactical aspects of sport. The programme is aimed at all students, whatever their sporting interest, by drawing on the technical and professional expertise of sports science specialists, alumni and local professionals.
The programme comprises of a series of presentations given by elite athletes, alumni, physiotherapists, and other specialists in fields which support improvement in sports performance.
These sessions supplement a series of workshops led by a 3rd Year student from UCLAN who will cover the following topics over this academic year:
-
Goal Setting, planning training and the fundamentals of periodisation;
-
Taking care of your body – the importance of warmups, mobility, flexibility, cool downs and basic anatomy;
-
Energy systems and conditioning - depending on your sport needs;
-
Strength training, speed and agility training;
-
Recovery methods – including sleep and impact of overtraining;
-
Importance of nutrition - daily requirements to fuel your training;
-
Injury prevention and body mechanics;
-
The social aspects of sport, including coping with loss or failure and how to recover.
Our caterer, Chartwells, will also deliver a series of three modules based around the scientific foundations of healthy eating and sports nutrition. Topics include: hydration and sports drinks; carbohydrates and energy; protein and amino acids; energy balance and requirements; nutrition whilst travelling.
Strength and conditioning and performance analysis sessions will be delivered to Year 10s and above students by UCLAN students once they are allowed on site.
External speakers include: Helen Clitheroe, GB and Olympic athlete; Jessica Piasecki, GB marathon runner aiming to compete in the Tokyo Olympics next year; Chris Bramagh, Physio therapist to International athletes; Liang Yang, World renowned stuntman on blockbusters such as the Bond and Star Wars films; Rob Hamilton, GB physio; Mollie Mason, AKS alumna and Junior International hockey player; Lauren Burgess, elite cricket player; and Anthony Wilson, professional cricket coach.
Students are expected to benefit in a variety of ways, both on and off the sports field as the programme aims to increase their focus, motivation and commitment to developing and improving. Students themselves will be the key to long-term impact and success of the programme, as they will be encouraged to take an active role in self-reflection, goal-setting, creating training plans and personal evaluation.
The development of the programme has been led by Miss De Miranda, Deputy Director of Sport. She explained, “AKS endeavours to bring out the best in everyone, which includes nurturing and encouraging the development of our students on the sports field. It is also well documented that many skills that develop the character of a person can be learnt through organised training and playing of sport and support our pupils developing 21st Century competencies that will support them in their life beyond school.”
For further information about joining AKS and to apply for a Sports Scholarship for Year 7 (deadline 15th December), please contact admissions@akslytham.com.