Released: 06.02.20
As a part of Marjon's partnership with the club, the first-team squad, under Head of Fitness and Conditioning John Lucas, are provided access to the university鈥檚 state of the art strength and conditioning labs and gym facilities 鈥 harnessing the institution鈥檚 cutting-edge equipment and analysis technology to enhance the squad鈥檚 conditioning and recovery throughout the long and hard football season.
鈥淭he University offers state of the art facilities in which the football club can utilise in many key areas within the football department,鈥 said Lucas, who identified and pursued a partnership with the University upon arriving at the club in the summer.
鈥淗aving access to these sorts of facilities will only enhance the physical and medical provision that the football club provides within our training programme.鈥
The agreement strengthens the relationship between Argyle and Marjon, with the Ladies鈥 team already working closely with the University to deliver an FA Women鈥檚 High-Performance Football Centre.
The latest development also formalises the club鈥檚 intention to offer placement and industry work experience opportunities for students from the school of Sport, Health and Wellbeing.
鈥淪tudents have the opportunity to work alongside the first team squad in multiple areas from strength and conditioning, medical and analysis - which not only assists the day to day running of each department but also enhances the student experience for Marjon students.鈥
John hopes that the partnership will not only strengthen the club鈥檚 hand in terms of its conditioning programme, but also allow students to undertake insightful research projects to inform best practice.
鈥淭he development of research topics may be undertaken around performance, nutrition, monitoring and recovery to further enhance the scientific approaches taken to further develop the club鈥檚 practice,鈥 said John. 鈥淭his not only helps us, but also the University鈥檚 academic research profile.鈥
鈥淚 would like to thank everyone involved in the process of arranging this partnership, and look forward to the partnership developing between the football club and the University.鈥
Caroline Westwood, Associate Director of the school of Sport, Health and Wellbeing, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 really great to formalise this arrangement and have the players come up to the University. We are really fortunate to have world-class facilities.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity for us to be able to play a formal part in Argyle鈥檚 preparation, as well as provide our students with practical, real industry experience in professional sport.鈥
Find out more about BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science at Marjon