Developing our Athletes
Introduced to the College in 2014, the Athletic Development Program led by Mr Sean O’Connor and Mr Alex Barnes now has over 550 students actively engaged. It is an essential pathway for our students to learn how to train and develop sport-specific strength and fitness. The program aims to optimise our College athletes by developing strong and resilient students.
On average, it takes three years to teach and develop students to effectively learn how to train in the gym. This involves learning how to read a gym program, understand exercise selection, technique, rep range and weight selection. Students who consistently engage learn how to safely progress and achieve training goals over time.
The Athletic Development Program further educates students about training load, nutrition and recovery. Students learn strategies to support their training commitments and sport demands across the term. During busier terms, athletes prioritise recovery and ‘minimal’ loading, while other times allow for greater progression and gains in athletic qualities. Students also learn sport-specific movement patterns, jumping and plyometrics, running technique and injury prevention measures.
The Athletic Development department has three program streams tailored to meet the ages, aspirations and sporting goals of students on an individual level.
Performance Squad Program: The College's First Sport Athletes
The Performance Program provides periodised Strength and Conditioning programs for students involved in First Performance squads. These athletes are tested weekly throughout Terms 1 and 3 to monitor physical development and ensure safe and progressive training load prescription. The bi-annually weekly tests include measuring speed, strength, power, conditioning, height and weight.
Dr Felix Leung is our school physiotherapist and coordinates with Sean and Alex to prescribe individual exercises to assist students in the return to sport process. He performs triage every Monday morning at school and assists with athlete's needs on game days. He documents a weekly report for Sport Directors and First Coaches on the status of their injured athletes and updates regarding their training load.
Foundation Squad Program: Year 7 -9 'Above A-Level' Students
The Foundation Program is designed for students in Years 7 – 9 who are above an A-level and excel in their chosen sport. These athletic prospects are provided ‘sport-specific’ programs to support the physical demands of their chosen sports. They are given exercises to support their growing
bodies and their training load is closely monitored. Their athleticism is enhanced through one general movement and strength session a week.
Open Gym Program: Students 'Active for Life'
The Open Gym offers programs to support student's general health and fitness goals. Education again is the primary focus with Sean and Alex wanting to ensure that more students learn to safely train with a purpose and training goal in mind. It is hoped once students graduate, they continue these habits after school for their mental and physical wellbeing.
“90% of students access a local gym after school, yet less than 10% of the general population know how to safely and effectively train for their own health and fitness goals,” said Sean.
The Athletic Development Program staff are responsible for supporting the Manchester City Football School led by Mr Jamie Davies. This is achieved in coordination with a testing program that aligns with the Manchester City Football Club Academy standards, tests and goals.
The Athletic Development Program also supports the school’s Sports Excellence program led by Rebecca Dwyer. The program provides 12-month individual physical development support to students across 20 different representative sports. Sean and Alex coordinate with external coaches and take into account representative and playing commitments to ensure training loads are monitored.
Sean and Alex also collaborate with the Health and Physical Education Department at the College.
The Athletic Development Program has also introduced an ‘Agreed Practice’ to ensure all Year 7 - 10 students perform a ten minute movement warm-up before training. The warm-up is called ADAPT and stands for ‘Athletic Development Agreed Practice Training’. The warm-up includes dynamic movement and mobility, jumping/landing, change of direction and speed. If executed successfully, it’ll have the greatest impact on our athlete’s movement and sport-specific skills over time.