During this week's Thursday Takeover, the AKS Sport Department welcomed back a familiar face as part of our Enhanced Performance Pathway programme.
Old AKS student Ellis Whorlton-Jones returned to deliver a focused lecture on Girls in Sport for our Year 7 and Year 8 sport scholar girls.
Ellis left AKS in 2016, but he has never been far from the school community. Between 2017 and 2020, he volunteered as a Sports and Holiday Club coach and coordinator. From 2021, he supported the rugby programme, later taking on responsibility for strength and conditioning and athletic development between 2022 and 2023. His commitment to giving back to AKS has been consistent and generous.
Now working as a Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of Lancashire, Ellis returned to share his professional expertise with the next generation of female athletes.
The session focused on the specific challenges and opportunities faced by young sportswomen. Ellis spoke about the importance of nutrition, particularly during teenage growth spurts and periods of physical development. He explored how fuelling the body correctly supports recovery, performance and long-term wellbeing.
For our scholars, it was an opportunity to gain insight that goes beyond the pitch or court. Understanding how training, nutrition and development work together is vital at this stage of their sporting journey.
The session was thoughtful, practical and empowering. It reinforced the message that performance is not just about talent or effort, but about informed decisions, consistency and care for the body.
We are grateful to Ellis for continuing to invest his time and knowledge in AKS. His journey from pupil to performance specialist is a powerful example of how our alumni continue to shape and support the school community.