Introduction
Over the summer TVS worked closely with Andy Burton and Jude from Active Body Conditioning Centre. We planned and delivered a six week programme for the Loftus Swimmers and Billingham Boxers. The programme was focussed on providing not only a positive experience for the Children and Young People, but it also got them to experience and live a lifestyle of a professional athlete for six weeks.
What happened?
Working closely with both Billingham Boxing Club and Loftus Swim club, the coaches identified the children that would be attending these sessions. The children were already performing at a high standard, but this work aimed to help to push them towards the next level within their chosen sport. Each week, Andy Burton who led on the programme, would have a specific focus for the session. The children in week 1 were tested in a number of different disciplines and activities. Throughout the six weeks, the aim was for the athletes to work towards testing in the final week with the hope that all results from the testing would improve.
Who was involved?
- The athletes that were chosen to attend
- Coaches from Active Body Conditioning Centre
- Coaches from Billingham Boxing club and Loftus Swim club
When?
This took place once a week for both groups over a six week period of the summer holidays.
Where?
Active Body Conditioning Centre based in Stockton.
How?
The swimmers and boxers who attended were selected by the coaches from the clubs. These are two clubs that we have been working closely with through the Talent Plan work.
Why?
The programme came about after discussions with coaches and athletes from both clubs who mentioned a need for some further and more intense training. The school holidays tend to be a time where athletes have a break from training and getting them active over the summer was a fantastic way to keep them fit when usually they would not be training. It was more important for the swimmers who were actually in their off season where they generally have a full rest and break from swimming and training. Their coach spoke about the need and want for the athletes to maintain a level of fitness so they could start the season fit rather than work back to the levels of fitness they were at last season.
There was a test session that we delivered alongside Andy Burton over May half term. This was done to see if the model for the testing days would work and to ensure we gained some feedback from each of the athletes who attended. We gained some superb feedback that led to a much better summer programme. The main feedback we received was that the learning sessions were a bit boring over May half term as the children were talked at and not actively engaged. Based on this feedback, the learning sessions delivered over the summer were changed to be engaging and interactive.
So?
This activity was so important for these athletes to really learn and experience living like a professional athlete. We received some superb feedback from each of the athletes who attended as they gained new skills and insights into their sport. It certainly ensured that each of the children involved were kept active over the summer and that their fitness levels increased.
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