New Performance Prep Squads on the way for 9-11-year-olds

We’re excited to announce new weekly training sessions starting in January for aspiring athletes aged nine to 11.

Only 10 places are available in each of the new Performance Prep Squads, and booking is now open, so hurry if you want to sign up your child. Read more about the content of the sessions and find out whether they are right for your child here.

One squad will be running at West Park School, Spondon, Derby DE21 7BT on Mondays from 4.30pm to 5.45pm. The other squad will be based at Chellaston Junior School, Derby DE73 6PZ, on Tuesdays from 4pm to 5.15pm. Sessions will run during Derby City term time. There will be a third squad meeting on a Wednesday, the venue is yet to be confirmed.

Our Managing Director Chloe Maudsley and our Head of Athlete Development Laura Wake will run the training. Both have been high-performing athletes. Chloe was a world-class karate athlete and Laura represented Team GB at the Commonwealth Games in the 400m hurdles.

Chloe said: "After launching a pilot scheme in September 2021 at Findern Primary School, which was filled very quickly, it became clear that there was a need and a demand for safe and age-appropriate training sessions. Thanks to sponsorship from Derbyshire logistics firm Lobina Transport we have been able to plan three more squads. The sessions at Findern will continue to run on a Thursday."

"The aim is to have 10 squads operating by the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. Sponsorship by Lobina Transport provides the momentum for us to achieve this vision.”

The young athletes will learn about:

* Strength and conditioning: The fundamentals of movement to allow children to cope with the physical demands of high performance sport.

* Nutrition: Learning what, when and how to fuel the body so that it can perform at its best.

* Performance psychology: Learning the key psychology traits of champions and how to apply them when it really matters.

Young Performance Prep Squad members will have the chance to be inspired by visits from some DIS athlete ambassadors who will share their journeys to success.

“Parents will also be supported in learning how to support a talented child in the best possible way,” added Chloe.

To find out more,  call 07974 231564 or go to our special Performance Prep Squad page on this website where you can complete a form for the session you would like your child to attend.

‍