Changing up a gear

Wakefield College is literally changing up a gear in its ongoing development of the talented young sports people of the Wakefield District.

L to R – Group Shot - Oliver Wood, Jodie Brinkworth, Reece Chappell, Gill Barker, Daniel Holmes.

To ensure its athletes reflect the highly professional nature of the training they receive - both in and outside the sports arena - and of their environment, the College has launched its own bespoke, branded kit for training and competition.

Puma, who are kit suppliers for likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Cameroon, Italy and Ghana International teams, have designed and manufactured playing and training gear for the College’s men’s rugby teams, the men’s and women’s football teams and for a variety of other individual sports, including golf.

Athlete Development Programme Coordinator Mark Helme said, “The launch of this kit signifies the level of professional support the players receive and makes a statement about the intent of Wakefield College to attract, support and develop elite junior athletes.” 

Since its creation, the College’s Athlete Development Programme has grown from the initial Football Development Centre with 20 players, to now include over 70 athletes from a range of sports including Rugby League, Golf, Athletics, Martial Arts and of course, Football.   And the level of support for these young sports people is now at a level which is the envy of many.

To further improve the level of development available the College has also introduced a new course - the BTEC National Certificate in Sports Performance Excellence - exclusively for talented athletes. The course is built around the athletes, who will learn about performance and excellence in sport  and undergo expert professional coaching supported by strength and conditioning and video analysis.

The course will culminate in a performance training camp at Bisham Abbey, which will replicate the training and environment usually reserved for those at the very top of international competition.

Links

Football Development Centre and Women's Football Development Centre

ENDS
CONTACT: For more information email info@wakefield.ac.uk, or telephone 01924 789 789.
DATE: 28th October, 2009