Ffion Thompson

Ffion, a dual research practitioner, combines her roles as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Youth Athletic Development and Strength and Conditioning Coach to enhance holistic and dual career development for youth athletes.

Prior to coming to Leeds Beckett University, Ffion completed her undergraduate degree in sport and exercise science at Loughborough University (UK), before heading to North America to complete her master’s in Kinesiology at Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts. After returning to England, she completed her PhD at Leeds Beckett University, aiming to understand ‘What it is like to be a sport school student-athlete’ specifically focusing on holistic and dual career development.

Now, Ffion is a post-doctoral researcher in youth athletic development, a module lead on the Science of Sport Performance course, as well as taking a leadership role within the Centre for Child and Adolescent Physical Literacy. Within this leadership role, she is responsible in supporting the work that supports children and adolescents ‘In’ their movement and physical activity by developing and evaluating interventions to improve these competences.

Ffion also has several years of practical experience working with athletes in development and elite sport. She has worked as a strength and conditioning coach at Wasps Superleague Netball and Warwick University. She now works as the Head Strength and Conditioning coach at Queen Ethelburga’s school, Pathway Strength and Conditioning Coach at Leeds Rhinos Netball and Women’s Head of Athletic and Physical Development at Wales Lacrosse.

As a dual research practitioner, Ffion aims to bridge the gap between research and practice to co-create better experiences and opportunities for all children and adolescents and those who support them.

• Module Leader: Level 4 Young Athlete Development Module