150 of the north east’s most promising sportsmen and women will benefit from a new elite training programme designed to help them get to the top of their game.
The programme, which will see strength and conditioning training made available to local talent, is being provided by Sport England and five north east universities, supported by the English Institute of Sport (EIS).
Athletes across a variety of sports have already been selected to receive the training by their national governing bodies. The long-term objective is to give them the skills and abilities to train effectively and safely at the highest standard, and therefore increase the number of athletes from the north east progressing to the top levels of English sport.
Two strength and conditioning talent coaches will be appointed - Jonathan Kantor has already taken up his post based at Durham University, and Northumbria University is currently recruiting the second coach.
The coaches will work with athletes from several sports including athletics, fencing, netball, rowing, women’s rugby and swimming. Sunderland A.F.C. and Middlesbrough F.C. have also confirmed that they will be using this exciting opportunity to support their women’s squads when their pre-season campaigns get underway.
Sport England is investing £224,000 of National Lottery funding in the programme over a three-year period. The funding will cover staffing costs, facilities hire, equipment and athlete support.
Judith Rasmussen, Sport England’s Strategy Lead for the region, said:
“Helping talented athletes to reach their full potential is vital in a world-leading community sport system. This programme will benefit local athletes now as well as also developing local knowledge and skills for generations to come.”
www.sportengland.org
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