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SPEAKERS
Experience inspirational and informative theory and practical sessions from our incredible line up.
MARTIN EVANS
REFLECTIONS ON A SUMMER WITH THE LIONESSES
JOSH DIXON
REFLECTIONS ON A SUMMER WITH THE LIONESSES
PHIL GLASGOW
BECOMING NUMBER 1: CRITICAL DECISION MAKING
Phil will share experiences of how Irish Rugby has developed its performance support system over the recent years. He will discuss the steps Irish Rugby has taken to build a cohesive team that challenges process and drives integrated decision making across the performance support disciplines, as well as identifying strategies to stay ahead of the curve.
Phil Glasgow has extensive high-performance experience as a practitioner, researcher, coach and mentor to the ‘team behind the team’. Having worked in high performance sport for over 20 years Phil has worked at numerous global sporting events including 3 Olympic Games and various World Cups. Phil currently works with the Irish Rugby Football Union and consults globally to sport and business. He is recognised as a leader in supporting high performance programmes and regularly presents at international conferences on areas related to leadership and return to performance. Phil is Visiting Professor of the School of Sport at Ulster University and teaches on a number of postgraduate programmes at several UK and European universities.
Phil will share experiences of how Irish Rugby has developed its performance support system over the recent years. He will discuss the steps Irish Rugby has taken to build a cohesive team that challenges process and drives integrated decision making across the performance support disciplines, as well as identifying strategies to stay ahead of the curve.
Phil Glasgow has extensive high-performance experience as a practitioner, researcher, coach and mentor to the ‘team behind the team’. Having worked in high performance sport for over 20 years Phil has worked at numerous global sporting events including 3 Olympic Games and various World Cups. Phil currently works with the Irish Rugby Football Union and consults globally to sport and business. He is recognised as a leader in supporting high performance programmes and regularly presents at international conferences on areas related to leadership and return to performance. Phil is Visiting Professor of the School of Sport at Ulster University and teaches on a number of postgraduate programmes at several UK and European universities.
JARED DEACON
EXPLORING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROGRESSIVE NECK STRENGTHENING PROGRAMME
The reduction and possible prevention of incidence of concussion in sport is a current topic of interest in sports coaching and rehabilitation. This session aims to bring together some of the practical methods used in neck strengthening programmes in contact sports while drawing on current research and best practice.
Jared has been involved in strength & conditioning delivery to elite athletes for almost 20 years holding a BSc, MSc, PGCE, Level 4 Athletics and ASCC qualifications.
He is an Olympian and former international 400m athlete representing Great Britain for 10 years at Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth Games.
Jared currently works for Scottish Rugby as lead for the Edinburgh Regional Academy programme along with working with national squads at all levels. He has previously worked for the English Institute of Sport and UK Athletics.
He has coached track athletes to every major international championships, which has included athletes winning medals at Olympic, World and European level.
Jared tutors & assesses for the UKSCA and has done consultancy work and conference talks for Scottish Athletics, Northern Ireland Athletics, Welsh Athletics, England Athletics, various postgraduate university programmes across the country as well as professional clubs and organisations.
The reduction and possible prevention of incidence of concussion in sport is a current topic of interest in sports coaching and rehabilitation. This session aims to bring together some of the practical methods used in neck strengthening programmes in contact sports while drawing on current research and best practice.
Jared has been involved in strength & conditioning delivery to elite athletes for almost 20 years holding a BSc, MSc, PGCE, Level 4 Athletics and ASCC qualifications.
He is an Olympian and former international 400m athlete representing Great Britain for 10 years at Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth Games.
Jared currently works for Scottish Rugby as lead for the Edinburgh Regional Academy programme along with working with national squads at all levels. He has previously worked for the English Institute of Sport and UK Athletics.
He has coached track athletes to every major international championships, which has included athletes winning medals at Olympic, World and European level.
Jared tutors & assesses for the UKSCA and has done consultancy work and conference talks for Scottish Athletics, Northern Ireland Athletics, Welsh Athletics, England Athletics, various postgraduate university programmes across the country as well as professional clubs and organisations.
ADAM KERR
BUILDING A HIGH-PERFORMANCE DEPARTMENT
Building high performing athletes is a complex and difficult undertaking, in order to increase the chances of success the athletes need support from a team that is well structured, with clear goals, strong leadership and who work in a collaboratively way. In this presentation Adam aims to explore these different components and how he has gone about achieving this in his current role at Leeds United.
Adam is the current Performance Manager at Leeds United FC Academy and is an accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach with the UKSCA. A high-performance specialist with 15 years’ experience, Adam has worked with athletes in a variety of sports in both elite performance and youth development settings. He has previously held positions at Middlesbrough Football Club as Head of Fitness and Conditioning, Arsenal Football Club as Lead Academy Sport Scientist and Fitness Coach, and the Professional Golfers Association as Sport Science consultant.
Building high performing athletes is a complex and difficult undertaking, in order to increase the chances of success the athletes need support from a team that is well structured, with clear goals, strong leadership and who work in a collaboratively way. In this presentation Adam aims to explore these different components and how he has gone about achieving this in his current role at Leeds United.
Adam is the current Performance Manager at Leeds United FC Academy and is an accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach with the UKSCA. A high-performance specialist with 15 years’ experience, Adam has worked with athletes in a variety of sports in both elite performance and youth development settings. He has previously held positions at Middlesbrough Football Club as Head of Fitness and Conditioning, Arsenal Football Club as Lead Academy Sport Scientist and Fitness Coach, and the Professional Golfers Association as Sport Science consultant.
LAURA BOWEN
ATHLETE MONITORING IN FEMALE FOOTBALL PLAYERS
Athlete monitoring has been a popular topic of discussion over the last few years. This session will discuss monitoring for performance in female football players, and the differences and similarities compared to monitoring within male football. Data and insights will be presented from first-hand experience and practice from one club hosting both male and female professional squads.
Dr Laura Bowen has over ten years’ experience in professional football. For the last two years, she has performed the role of Lead Sport Scientist for Southampton FC Women & Girls. For the previous five years she worked as a Sport Scientist with Southampton FC men’s First Team. She also works as a Consultant at FIFA, supporting the physical preparation of New Zealand Football Ferns for the Women’s World Cup. She has done a PhD on work loads and injury risk in Premier League Football and has a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Sciences, both from the University of Birmingham.
Athlete monitoring has been a popular topic of discussion over the last few years. This session will discuss monitoring for performance in female football players, and the differences and similarities compared to monitoring within male football. Data and insights will be presented from first-hand experience and practice from one club hosting both male and female professional squads.
Dr Laura Bowen has over ten years’ experience in professional football. For the last two years, she has performed the role of Lead Sport Scientist for Southampton FC Women & Girls. For the previous five years she worked as a Sport Scientist with Southampton FC men’s First Team. She also works as a Consultant at FIFA, supporting the physical preparation of New Zealand Football Ferns for the Women’s World Cup. She has done a PhD on work loads and injury risk in Premier League Football and has a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Sciences, both from the University of Birmingham.
KARL STEPTOE
PSYCHOLOGY NOT THE PSYCHOLOGIST: INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO MEET THE KNOWN DEMANDS OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
In this session Karl will explore the important role that the interdisciplinary team play in modelling, promoting and reinforcing key psychological competencies. Work across a number of teams will be outlined in which profiling, training and session design have contributed to important psychological insights to enhance staff team functioning and influence key relationships with players.
Dr Karl Steptoe is the Sport and Performance Psychology Lead at Loughborough University, a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and an Acceptance and Commitment Therapist. In addition, Karl is a Qualified PGA Golf Professional with over 20 years of coaching experience. As an applied psychology practitioner, Karl provides services in line with the core cognitive, cognitive-behavioural and humanistic principles that guide his consultancy.
Karl works across a number of performance domains including sport, education and business and has held roles as Lead Psychologist within Premier League first team football, football academies, County Cricket first teams and academies, Great Britain Paralympic programmes and with golfers, caddies, and coaches on the Men’s’ and Ladies European and United States PGA golf tours.
In this session Karl will explore the important role that the interdisciplinary team play in modelling, promoting and reinforcing key psychological competencies. Work across a number of teams will be outlined in which profiling, training and session design have contributed to important psychological insights to enhance staff team functioning and influence key relationships with players.
Dr Karl Steptoe is the Sport and Performance Psychology Lead at Loughborough University, a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and an Acceptance and Commitment Therapist. In addition, Karl is a Qualified PGA Golf Professional with over 20 years of coaching experience. As an applied psychology practitioner, Karl provides services in line with the core cognitive, cognitive-behavioural and humanistic principles that guide his consultancy.
Karl works across a number of performance domains including sport, education and business and has held roles as Lead Psychologist within Premier League first team football, football academies, County Cricket first teams and academies, Great Britain Paralympic programmes and with golfers, caddies, and coaches on the Men’s’ and Ladies European and United States PGA golf tours.
KEVIN PAXTON
TRANSITION FROM ACADEMY TO SENIOR IN ELITE FOOTBALL
In this session, Kevin will explore the processes, planning and programming of the requirements at different stages of the pathway, to reach the goal of senior level football.
Kevin has worked in individual and team professional sports for over 23 years at both youth and senior level. He is a BASES High Performance Sport Accredited Practitioner, Supervisor and Reviewer with chartered scientist status, currently working as First Team Athletic Development Officer at Leicester City Football Club. Additional to this he is a UKSCA Accredited Strength & Conditioning Coach and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors.
Throughout his career in professional soccer, cricket and Olympic Sports, he has continually sought to further explore gaining insights into a variety of training methods, analysis and management processes.
Giving back to the industry as a part-time associate lecturer at the University of Derby and Loughborough University he has passed on his knowledge of applied practice worldwide, presented at international conferences on LTAD and sport science monitoring processes and has contributed to several peer review journal publications in these areas.
In this session, Kevin will explore the processes, planning and programming of the requirements at different stages of the pathway, to reach the goal of senior level football.
Kevin has worked in individual and team professional sports for over 23 years at both youth and senior level. He is a BASES High Performance Sport Accredited Practitioner, Supervisor and Reviewer with chartered scientist status, currently working as First Team Athletic Development Officer at Leicester City Football Club. Additional to this he is a UKSCA Accredited Strength & Conditioning Coach and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors.
Throughout his career in professional soccer, cricket and Olympic Sports, he has continually sought to further explore gaining insights into a variety of training methods, analysis and management processes.
Giving back to the industry as a part-time associate lecturer at the University of Derby and Loughborough University he has passed on his knowledge of applied practice worldwide, presented at international conferences on LTAD and sport science monitoring processes and has contributed to several peer review journal publications in these areas.
STACEY EMMONDS
FA WOMEN'S “DEMANDS OF THE GAME” PROJECT
The FA’s 'Demands of the Game' project, is a collaboration between Leeds Beckett University and the FA. This session will outline what the performance problems and challenges were and how the two organisations have worked together to develop a research model which is allowing the FA to develop evidence-informed practice to support players and teams in the women's game.
Stacey is a Reader in Sports Performance and leads the football research group at Leeds Beckett University. She is currently leading a number of projects working with Premier League and Championship clubs in the men's game and collaborating with the FA on projects in the women's game.
The FA’s 'Demands of the Game' project, is a collaboration between Leeds Beckett University and the FA. This session will outline what the performance problems and challenges were and how the two organisations have worked together to develop a research model which is allowing the FA to develop evidence-informed practice to support players and teams in the women's game.
Stacey is a Reader in Sports Performance and leads the football research group at Leeds Beckett University. She is currently leading a number of projects working with Premier League and Championship clubs in the men's game and collaborating with the FA on projects in the women's game.
RUTH WAGHORN
THE FEMALE ATHLETE – DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE PATHWAY
Ruth is a physical performance coach at The Football Association. Her role includes the physical preparation of players for international tournaments, as well as supporting the long-term development of players across the pathway. Ruth’s prior experience includes strength and conditioning roles at British Sailing.
Ruth is a physical performance coach at The Football Association. Her role includes the physical preparation of players for international tournaments, as well as supporting the long-term development of players across the pathway. Ruth’s prior experience includes strength and conditioning roles at British Sailing.
ADAM HEARN
LESSONS FROM THE FRONT LINE IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
Follow Adam’s 10-year journey from unpaid intern to Head of Sports Science. Adam will cover everything from personalities, soft skills, professional qualifications, through to relationships with players, management and backroom staff. He will also reflect on how football, as well as how strength and conditioning in football has changed over the last decade.
Adam is an Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach with the UKSCA & NSCA (2013) and holds a MSc Strength and Conditioning and BSc Sports Science. Adam has over 10 years work experience in the full range of professional football - Premier League, Championship, League One, Women’s Super League 2 & within EPPP Category 1, 2 and 3 academies. Adam is currently in his 5th season as the Head of Sports Science and Strength & Conditioning at Coventry City Football Club.
Follow Adam’s 10-year journey from unpaid intern to Head of Sports Science. Adam will cover everything from personalities, soft skills, professional qualifications, through to relationships with players, management and backroom staff. He will also reflect on how football, as well as how strength and conditioning in football has changed over the last decade.
Adam is an Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach with the UKSCA & NSCA (2013) and holds a MSc Strength and Conditioning and BSc Sports Science. Adam has over 10 years work experience in the full range of professional football - Premier League, Championship, League One, Women’s Super League 2 & within EPPP Category 1, 2 and 3 academies. Adam is currently in his 5th season as the Head of Sports Science and Strength & Conditioning at Coventry City Football Club.
SYLVIA MOESKOPS
TUMBLE INTO S&C: INCORPORATING BASIC GYMNASTICS SKILLS INTO TRAINING
Gymnastics is a unique sport whereby the types of activities and skills involved in the sport can be used as a fun body-weight training tool, particularly when developing fundamental movement skills with youth. This practical session will introduce delegates to some of the foundation shapes and positions that underpin gymnastics skills and develops body awareness. Progressions and regressions of basic skills will also be covered. Overall, the session aims to develop practitioners’ understanding and application of how and when, gymnastic-based activities can be implemented within a strength and conditioning setting to promote athleticism.
Sylvia is a Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning for the BSc (Hons) Sports Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage programME at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Her PhD investigated the effects of growth, maturation and training on strength and power development in young female artistic gymnasts. Her interest in the topic was inspired from her experiences as a young gymnast and her time coaching artistic gymnasts. Sylvia has worked as a Strength and Conditioning coach in the Youth Physical Development Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University for the past 8 years. Her current role involves delivering Strength and Conditioning provision to youth gymnasts and soccer players.
Gymnastics is a unique sport whereby the types of activities and skills involved in the sport can be used as a fun body-weight training tool, particularly when developing fundamental movement skills with youth. This practical session will introduce delegates to some of the foundation shapes and positions that underpin gymnastics skills and develops body awareness. Progressions and regressions of basic skills will also be covered. Overall, the session aims to develop practitioners’ understanding and application of how and when, gymnastic-based activities can be implemented within a strength and conditioning setting to promote athleticism.
Sylvia is a Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning for the BSc (Hons) Sports Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage programME at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Her PhD investigated the effects of growth, maturation and training on strength and power development in young female artistic gymnasts. Her interest in the topic was inspired from her experiences as a young gymnast and her time coaching artistic gymnasts. Sylvia has worked as a Strength and Conditioning coach in the Youth Physical Development Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University for the past 8 years. Her current role involves delivering Strength and Conditioning provision to youth gymnasts and soccer players.
SEAN CUMMING
GROWTH AND MATURATION PANEL: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Professor Sean Cumming is internationally recognised as a leading expert on the subject of growth and maturation in sport and exercise. Adopting a biocultural perspective, his research seeks to understand how biological and psychosocial factors impact athletic development and the maintenance of health behaviors during adolescence. Experienced in the use of invasive and non-invasive methods for the assessment of growth and maturation in youth, he has worked in research and consultancy roles with the Premier League, Football Association, Lawn Tennis Association, British Gymnastics, One Dance UK, British Triathlon, Cleveland Indians, Sports Office, Team Bath, and Bath Rugby.
Professor Sean Cumming is internationally recognised as a leading expert on the subject of growth and maturation in sport and exercise. Adopting a biocultural perspective, his research seeks to understand how biological and psychosocial factors impact athletic development and the maintenance of health behaviors during adolescence. Experienced in the use of invasive and non-invasive methods for the assessment of growth and maturation in youth, he has worked in research and consultancy roles with the Premier League, Football Association, Lawn Tennis Association, British Gymnastics, One Dance UK, British Triathlon, Cleveland Indians, Sports Office, Team Bath, and Bath Rugby.
MEGAN HILL
GROWTH AND MATURATION PANEL: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Megan’s has extensive research interest and experience in Growth and Maturation in adolescent athletes. She conducted her PhD in this area with Southampton Football Club.
Megan’s has extensive research interest and experience in Growth and Maturation in adolescent athletes. She conducted her PhD in this area with Southampton Football Club.
DAVID JOHNSON
GROWTH AND MATURATION PANEL: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
David is currently Head of Physical Development at West Ham United Football Club. He is also a PhD candidate at the University of Bath, with his thesis titled "Training Load in Adolescent Footballers".
David is currently Head of Physical Development at West Ham United Football Club. He is also a PhD candidate at the University of Bath, with his thesis titled "Training Load in Adolescent Footballers".
MATT ALLEN
TRAINING ON THE MOVE
In this practical session, Matt will deliver his experience on what can be done to keep players physically developing while away from the Training Ground with limited space and equipment.
Educated at Nottingham Trent University, Matt completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sport and Exercise Science. After spending the 2007-2008 season with Nottingham Forest FC, Matt worked for 2 years with elite athletes spanning 18 sports as a Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach in a High Performance Centre in Norwich.
Matt has been UKSCA Accredited since 2009, holds BASES High Performance Sport Accreditation (HPSA), is a Chartered Scientist, is certified by the NSCA. Matt has held the position of ‘Head of Academy Physical Development’ at Spurs since 2010, developing players that now play for Tottenham’s First Team and other clubs across England and Europe’s highest leagues.
In this practical session, Matt will deliver his experience on what can be done to keep players physically developing while away from the Training Ground with limited space and equipment.
Educated at Nottingham Trent University, Matt completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sport and Exercise Science. After spending the 2007-2008 season with Nottingham Forest FC, Matt worked for 2 years with elite athletes spanning 18 sports as a Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach in a High Performance Centre in Norwich.
Matt has been UKSCA Accredited since 2009, holds BASES High Performance Sport Accreditation (HPSA), is a Chartered Scientist, is certified by the NSCA. Matt has held the position of ‘Head of Academy Physical Development’ at Spurs since 2010, developing players that now play for Tottenham’s First Team and other clubs across England and Europe’s highest leagues.
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