Since the beginning of the academic year, Shiplake pupils have been taking part in a series of fitness tests as part of the College’s new Athletic Development programme.
The aim of the programme is to highlight the importance sport has on all areas of life, including academic, social, physical and mental wellbeing, and increase pupils’ understanding of the benefits that leading a healthy active lifestyle can have.
The programme is also a great way to improve and track performance as well as help prevent injury.
Leading the programme is Mr Ed Bowden, Shiplake’s new Head of Athletic Development.
He said: “The programme will provide pupils with an extra level of motivation to their sports training. It will give them more purpose when they train, which will then focus them when they are performing competitively.
“Beyond this, the programme will give them a greater understanding of their bodies, and the impact the way they train has on it. As a result it will get them into good training habits and help them to reach their potential, whatever level that is.
“Above all, the programme aims to develop confidence in pupils which will transfer to their academic studies, socially and life after Shiplake.”
From Years 7 to 9, pupils will take part in fundamental movement skills as part of their PE curriculum. This will introduce the pupils to the culture of athletic development at Shiplake. Each pupil will be tested throughout the year to provide as much data as possible on them. This data will be used as a baseline for their athletic development throughout their life at Shiplake.
Tests include:
Acceleration 10m
Flying sprint
Med ball chest throw
Vertical jump
Agility tests (5-10-5)
Further up the school pupils can be involved in life skills workshops where they will get additional support and information on nutrition, sleep, recovery and sport psychology to help them in their sporting endeavours. We will invite motivational speakers and elite athletes to talk to the pupils to motivate and inspire them.
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