The day started designing specific programmes for the swimmers, adding specific additional work for people lacking mobility. We then delivered the session in the performance suite. It was a really busy session, where the athletes performed complex lifts (snatch, drop snatch, clean and jerk) which needed a lot of assistance and feedback. It was our job to make sure that everyone could work safely in a clean and safe space in the gym. A few athletes asked for my assistance when they performed core exercises. I was happy to help them and to motivate them to finish each set with intent. During the session, a GB representative I have never met before was observing the athletes training. He saw that I was really proactive and trying to help the athletes whenever they needed any assistance and towards the end of the session he started chatting to me. He was just curious about my position and pleased to hear that I had the chance to do a work experience alongside my degree programme. I was pleased to see that he was genuinely interested in my experience both as a student and as an S&C intern for the past two years. While helping to coach, I have been exposed to a new environment, where I had a chance to meet new people and broaden my network in an area I am determined to pursue a career in the future. After the swimming session, we had another session with the golf team. Some of the athletes were still recovering after a tournament played over the weekend in Dubai. The session was supposed to be a high-volume and low-intensity one. Although most of the athletes were physically really tired, at the beginning of the session Josh stressed the importance of getting some qualitative work done. Some of the athletes were struggling with some technical points when performing the clean and I was happy to provide them with a few technical cues. They seemed happy to take them and they put them into practice in the same session. I was pleased with their effort and improvement during the course of the session. Seeing the athletes listening to feedback and improving after having put them into practice made me feel really good.
I’m glad that you’re getting hands on and able to give your expertise and skills to help them develop. Iona
Great to see your enjoying it and expanding your network! – Amy