Sports Development
We are always looking at how we can get the most from our best sportsmen and women, for example through our Elite Athlete Programme, which provides additional guidance and support that goes beyond the normal PE and games programme. Pupils discuss target setting, the risks of illegal performance-enhancing drugs and their testing procedures, marginal gains and stress management during competition, with input from our own staff and from external speakers.
For example, ex-Great British long-distance athlete Michael Skinner spoke to pupils about his athletic career and his work as a sports agent for Pace Sports Management. Pace is the largest track and field agency in the world, and their clients include Sir Mo Farah and Usain Bolt. Michael discussed what an agent does and the support that an athlete should expect, as well as what it is like working with two of the world’s top sports stars. Pupils were shown Mo's and Usain's spikes and vests from recent World and Olympic Championships, including from Usain’s 9.58 seconds 100m world record performance.
We also welcomed Adam Morris, who ran a workshop on competition stress and match preparation. Adam is the founder of BelievePerform, a physical, technical and tactical development centre, helping people to think, prepare and perform like elite athletes. Adam covered a range of practical strategies that our pupils can use to help prepare for competitions, in order to reduce the negative effects of stress on performance, and his insightful and interesting workshop was well-received by all.