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Students support Yorkshire Diamonds’ bid for T20 success
MSc Strength and Conditioning students Archie Ogden and Hannah King will be working within the Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s Science and Medicine department, delivering strength and conditioning support as the Yorkshire Diamonds compete in the national round-robin Twenty20 competition.
The 2017 Kia Super League will again see the world’s best face off against each other as the Southern Vipers look to defend their title.
The six teams will compete in a round-robin competition at 12 different venues from Thursday 10 August to Saturday 26 August. The Kia Super League will culminate with a showcase finals day on Friday 1 September at the 1st Central County Ground in Hove.
The Carnegie School of Sport students will be assisting the side through physio support, sport science testing, strength and conditioning sessions, warm-ups and training preparation, recovery protocols, sports nutrition advice as well as sports psychology.
Speaking about the opportunity, Archie Ogden said: “I have always had a keen interest in cricket and wanted to get some more hands on strength and conditioning coaching in a professional cricket environment and understand how it fits in to a busy cricket schedule On the placement, we will be monitoring the players training and match loads, implementing gym sessions and training programmes throughout the playing schedule, take warm ups on game days and training sessions and help out where necessary in terms of technical drills.
“Following graduation my aim is to work in professional cricket as a strength and conditioning coach as cricket is a sport I have been involved in all my life. Specific challenges of working in coaching in cricket is the different formats and the hectic schedule as it may be a challenge to maintain levels of strength and power throughout a competitive phase.”
Ian Fisher, Head of Strength & Conditioning at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, said: “It is a great opportunity for Hannah and Archie to spend a month in a superb environment around some international cricket athletes, working with a host of great coaches and support staff. As a Leeds Beckett graduate I am really pleased we can work together in partnership to provide placement opportunities of this standard here in Yorkshire. The intensive nature of a tournament such as this will provide a rich learning opportunity with insight into elite sport preparation from day one of camp right to the final. It is quite exciting to think about, and fingers crossed the team can make it all the way.”
Speaking about the tournament, ECB Director of England Women’s Cricket Clare Connor said: “After the incredible drama and excitement of the ICC Women's World Cup, we're all set for the second year of the Kia Super League to be the next stage of a transformational summer for women’s cricket in this country.
“Attendances at last year's KSL surpassed our expectations and the standard of cricket was extremely high. I'm sure we'll see even larger crowds and yet more stunning performances when the competition gets underway on 10 August.
“We’ve continued to attract high-profile international players to bolster the quality and intensity of the competition and I know everyone will be excited to see world-class stars like Harmanpreet Kaur and Ellyse Perry in action after their World Cup performances.
“It’s also vitally important that this competition continues to provide opportunities for our most talented young players to test themselves against the best in the world and to press their claims for future England selection."
Have you got your ticket for the ladies first game on Friday (11/08)? If so, dont forget to be at Headingley for a 2:30pm start #ShineBright pic.twitter.com/fVyGAuOtQT
— Yorkshire Diamondsđź’Ž (@YorksDiamonds) August 9, 2017
Kay Bastable, Placement and Employability Co-ordinator added: “Our students come with a range of technical and non-technical skills alongside knowledge that could be shared and utilised in any sport setting. Giving our students the opportunity to work in your organisation could be beneficial for both parties.
“We are proud of the work our students do in the community through a range of experiences including the Carnegie School of Sport Internship scheme, sports volunteering, placements, engagement in research and work-based projects. If you are interested in getting involved with one of the different ways our students can support your organisation whilst at the same time enhance their employability, please contact me on placementswork@leedsbeckett.ac.uk or call 0113 812 6718.”