"Great coaches are the reason that athletes and sports players become champions. That's why we have launched a new programme to share our knowledge with sports coaches."
Chloe Maudsley, Derbyshire Institute of Sport
Top badminton coach Andy Wood led national badminton teams through five Olympic cycles – three with Great Britain, one with Bulgaria and one with Australia. Now, he is one of a team of experts at the Derbyshire Institute of Sport offering a unique programme of support to coaches who work with sports teams, clubs, squads and individuals in any sport.
Andy and former international Karate student Chloe Maudsley, were co-founders of the Derbyshire Institute of Sport in the wake of the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics. Its aim was to set up a unique way of delivering support and services that would give talented young athletes the best chance of becoming world-class - and it’s been a great success.
DIS has seen 25 of its athletes achieve world-class status. They include: world pro tennis player Jay Clarke; world table tennis sensation Liam Pitchford; Olympic swimmer Mollie Renshaw; Commonwealth Games medal winner Niamh Emmerson; cyclists from the world record-breaking Huub Wattbike team and five times world champion para cyclist Katie Toft. Many others who are currently being supported are on the path to success in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2028 LA Olympics.
Developing athletes to achieve their full potential
The team at DIS works together to deliver a caring service that is unique to each athlete and their goals and ambitions. All members of the support team have significant experience in performance sport, either as an athlete, coach, or practitioner.
Chloe, who is managing director of the DIS, said: “Great coaches are the reason that athletes and sports players become champions. That’s why we have launched a new programme to share our knowledge with sports coaches so that they feel supported in their work to develop athletes to achieve their full potential.”
Essential facts about nutrition for developing athletes
DIS is hosting a monthly webinar for sports coaches. The first one will be on Wednesday, February 17, at 8pm. The speaker will be DIS sports and exercise nutritionist Nicky Gilbert.
For many years, Nicky supported players at Nottingham Forest Football Club and has also worked extensively with high-performance athletes and coaches in a wide variety of Olympic and non-Olympic sports. The title of her webinar will be ‘Essential facts about nutrition for developing athletes’.
Webinars will continue for the rest of 2021 on the third Wednesday of each month at 8pm.
Exclusive Champion Coaches Forum
Chloe said: “Through this programme, coaches will be able to connect with other coaches and have the opportunity to learn and discuss key topic areas. They will also have the chance to get to know the team at DIS – which includes former Commonwealth Games athlete Laura Wake, performance psychologist Dr Phil Clarke and physiotherapist David Sprot.”
There will also be a chance to apply to join an exclusive Champion Coaches Forum which will be led by Andy Wood, and is due to launch in the summer of 2021.
During lockdown, DIS - which is a community interest company - has adapted to deliver all its services online and to extend its help to more athletes and sports players at all levels.
It has also launched a Thrive business sponsorship programme. Businesses can donate a monthly amount to subsidise the training of talented athletes and receive in return health and wellbeing benefits for all its employees.
The coaching webinars cost just £10 per session on a pay-as-you-go basis with no commitment or membership fee required. To book your place, email info@derbyshireis.co.uk or ring 07974 231 564.
The subjects of future webinars will include: Effective communication with athletes and parents; Understanding injury - train through it or get some help?; How to coach the starting position for all exercises - posture and bracing.
