News
Friday 4 January 2008
New performance centre for tomorrow's hockey stars
Elite hockey players identified as future international stars are to be given the chance to hone their talents at a new performance centre. The East Midlands National Performance Centre (NPC) based at Nottingham Trent University and Loughborough University will provide players with top quality coaching and services, while supporting the development of their academic qualifications.
Established by national governing body England Hockey, the initiative is aimed at 18-23 year-old players who are studying at NPC institutions. As well as specialist coaching there will be world-class strength and conditioning programmes to give athletes top physiotherapy, lifestyle and medical support. A pilot period for the NPC will begin in January with the centre fully operational from September 2008.
Hockey is an extremely popular sport at Nottingham Trent University, with the men’s team one of the institution’s top-performing sides in British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) competitions.
“Establishing this National Performance Centre demonstrates the growing reputation of Nottingham Trent University in sport, and our ability and determination to deliver high quality services to elite athletes”, said James Hayter, Director of Sport and Lifestyle at the university.
He said: “England Hockey has shown great belief in our potential to become a major player in the future of hockey in this country. It is likely that a number of Great Britain hockey players at the 2012 Olympics will have gone through the National Performance Centre system. As well as supporting current students, elite players wishing to enter higher education will be encouraged to consider applying to one of the consortium institutions by England Hockey.”
Head of Performance Sport at Loughborough University, Andy Borrie, said: “I am delighted Loughborough University has been chosen to be part of the first National Performance Centre. The fact we’ve been selected as the only pilot and are ready to start in January is testament to the quality programme we already have in place.
“This exciting new partnership will enable us to build on our history of expertise in elite hockey and will give the country’s best young players the opportunity to continue their studies whilst receiving world class coaching and support.”
David Faulkner, England Hockey Performance Director, said: “The NPC will provide athletes with an opportunity to excel in a highly competitive performance environment with support that ensures their educational aspirations are not damaged. At the same time, it will allow the delivery of technical input to enhance skill development and give players the highest quality strength and conditioning, physiotherapy and lifestyle support.”
Sally Munday, England Hockey Development Director, said: “The centre is a vital component in our plans to provide a consistent and equitable pathway for players. We were extremely impressed by the enthusiasm and creativity of the bid for this NPC and are very excited about the opportunities that it will offer our talented hockey players.”
ENDS
Notes for editors: Nottingham Trent University and Loughborough University are leading the East Midlands National Performance Centre. Other consortium institutions are the University of Nottingham, South Nottingham College and Loughborough College.
Three other National Performance Centres will be established across the UK; the Hockey West NPC and South Coast NPC, launching in September 2008, and the Yorkshire NPC a year later.
For more information on England Hockey visit www.englandhockey.co.uk or contact Jane Powell, England Hockey Performance Coaching Manager, on 07894 682928 or via jane.powell@englandhockey.org
Press enquiries please contact: Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on Tel: 0115 848 8782, or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk
Or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on Tel: 0115 848 8774, or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk
