Pocklington School’s Head of Athletic Coaching and Development, Jonathon Wheeler, utilising the new equipment with 4th Year student, Lukas Bradshaw. Lukas came 5th in the Junior Boys Discus competition at the English Schools’ Athletics Championships this summer.
The Athletic Development Programme at Pocklington School has received a boost recently with the addition of new equipment and technology, which will significantly enhance the current programme undertaken by over 85 students at the School.
The new items cover the following areas:
• Data monitoring – which focuses on the collection and analysis of objective data to monitor performance and progress, assess form, screen for injuries and asymmetrics and reduce injuries
• Coaching and training - which uses technology to facilitate coaching and training improvements
• Rehabilitation - which provides resources to enhance the ability of injured students to maintain strength and conditioning levels
Students involved in a range of sports, including hockey, rugby, cricket, tennis, trampolining, swimming, netball, skiing and dance are offered a place on the Strength and Conditioning Programme, which starts in the 3rd year and runs through to the Sixth Form. Its aim is to enable the students to develop their fitness levels, coordination, strength, power and energy systems, appropriate to their age, to help them consistently improve their performance levels in their chosen sports.
The new equipment includes:
• a ‘Skierg’ – an upright rowing machine which aids rehabilitation for those with lower body injuries through maintaining their fitness levels
• an updated, full sized squat rack for weights
• a range of new ‘slam balls’ – used to develop upper body power
• a ‘push band’ to measure strength and power across a range of movements
• a ‘force plate’ to measure force, jump height and power
• an iPad specifically for Strength and Conditioning Programme use and data collection
• Plyometirc jump boxes
• Laser measuring speed gates
• Dictaphones and microphones for Coaches to record their sessions and reflect on their coaching, especially their use of language and feedback
• Ski Goggle Camera for students to wear during games sessions and allow them to reflect on their scanning, decision making and communication skills.
Pocklington School’s Head of Athletic Coaching and Development, Jonathon Wheeler said: “Having this new equipment puts Pocklington School at the forefront of athletic development provision for students, giving them facilities normally reserved for professional sportsmen and women. The kit is already in use and we have received great feedback from the students on what a difference it’s making to their development.”
A Sports Science intern will be joining Mr Wheeler at the start of the Lent term, to assist with the roll out of the Programme and the new equipment.
Mr Wheeler, who studied Sport and Exercise Science at Bath University, has an impressive range of experience within professional sport, including playing rugby league for Great Britain Pioneers and Gloucestershire, and undertaking coaching roles with Leicester Tigers and the England Girls u15, u18 and u20 national rugby squads. He is currently a coach for the Yorkshire Carnegie England Rugby Developing Player Programme and is studying for a Master’s degree in Sports Science.
The new equipment and technology has been purchased for the Strength and Conditioning Programme following a kind donation from a supporter of the School.