Helping Hampshire's most promising athletes
27 September 2010
More than 60 of Hampshire’s most promising young athletes received specialist advice and top training tips from Southampton Solent University’s sport science department when it hosted the Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme (HTAS) Sports Science Conference.
Sport science staff and students provided specialist support and guidance to help the athletes from HTAS – the support scheme run by Hampshire County Council for the county’s most talented athletes - prepare for success in their chosen sport.
Athletes enjoyed a range of sessions including weightlifting, psychological performance profiling, nutrition and hydration, as well as prevention of injury and rehabilitation.
Southampton Solent University’s Senior Lecturer in Sport and Fitness Training, Darren Paul said: “We already work with a wide range of elite athletes and are well placed to lead the workshop sessions for Hampshire’s most promising sportsmen and women.”
Amongst the athletes present was Southampton based judo star, Sam Potts (17) who is currently preparing for the National Championships in October.
He said of the day: “The conference has been a great help with my training plans. Some of the sessions backed up things that I’m already doing, I picked up some great tips and techniques and identified areas I need to improve on.”
Nicola Wright, Sport Hampshire and IOW Sports Development Officer (Performance) who co-ordinated the conference said: “Today’s event has been a great opportunity for our talented athletes to come together and learn not only from the excellent staff and students at Southampton Solent University, but also from each other.
She added: “We have a number of athletes regularly competing at international level, and today’s session will have given them a better insight into how sport science can help them reach their goals.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
Media enquiries to Sarah-Jayne Wareham, Press Officer on +44 (0)23 8031 9040