Launch of Young Athlete Academy a success

The Swindon Sports Forum's new Young Athlete Academy programme kicked off on 1st November, with 19 young athletes from across the Town invited to take part in the programme.

The Academy aims to help talented young sports people in Swindon by providing expert training and advice in areas such as Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition and Lifestyle management. James Marshall, Head Coach at Excelsior Athletic Development Club, has worked with many top level athletes including Olympians and Paralympians, and is leading the programme.

The session kicked off with a presentation on Long Term Athletic Development, discussing the important of sampling lots of different sports a young age, which helps improve technical skills, as well as reducing the likelihood of overuse injuries and burnout.

The rest of the day saw the Athletes being put through their paces with a series of physical challenges, designed to test and develop Strength, Balance and Coordination. Swindon Sport Forum Coordinator Matt Durber was impressed with the attitude of the athletes:

"It was great to see so many young sportspeople working hard and wanting to learn. Our aim is to help them fulfill their potential, and if they continue to show such good commitment to developing, then they will have bright futures ahead of them".