Rising sports stars are being urged to apply for the Athlete Performance Programme being relaunched by East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture (EDLC) Trust.
Athletes from all sports are being offered strength and conditioning coaching, as well as support and guidance to help them compete at the highest level.
Strength and conditioning coaches help athletes through lifestyle management, programme detail, nutrition and specific competition preparation.
The programme has supported over 100 athletes since it began and applications are now being invited for the next intake, following an enforced break during the pandemic.
Jim Neill EDLC Trust Chair, said, "East Dunbartonshire is home to some of the most promising sporting talents in Scotland and this programme has been designed to provide support at a crucial stage in their development.
"We have already helped many young people to fulfil their potential and improve their performances in a range of sports, and I am delighted that the good work is continuing.
"We want to work with elite local athletes competing at a regional and national level – and help nurture the next generation of sporting stars.
"The Athlete Performance Programme blends science, sport and support, and I want to pay tribute to everyone involved in helping to create a lasting sporting legacy for East Dunbartonshire."
Eligible candidates must live or attend school within East Dunbartonshire and be aged between 11 and 18-years-old. They must be competing at a regional or national level and be able to commit to two mornings a week for training sessions before school.
Sessions are available at both Allander Leisure Centre and Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre.
Candidates will be selected following participation sessions and interviews to determinate baseline physical, technical and mental attitudes required to undertake the training provided by the Athlete Performance Programme (APP).
Case Study:
One of the programme's success stories is footballer Lauren Davidson, who was on the programme for three years before graduating to the National Performance Academy.
The teenager received four hours of training per week, which consisted of strength and conditioning, working through different blocks of technical development as well as working on speed, flexibility, stability, injury prevention and management training.
During her time on the programme, Lauren represented Scotland at all youth levels and signed for her first SWPL 1 club. On leaving school and the APP she attended the SFA National Performance Academy at Heriot Watt University where potential A-squad players train and continue with their studies. Whilst there, Lauren signed her first semi-professional contract. After leaving the NPA she went on to sign a professional contract and in September 2021, aged 19, made her debut for the Scotland Women’s National team. She has also played UEFA champions league football.
Lauren has no doubt that the programme helped her to improve her overall performance and achieve many of her goals. She had some words of advice for the next crop of athletes. She said, “Having access to a top quality training programme with professional coaches can only be an advantage to any young athlete who aspires to become top of their sport. I learnt so much and would thoroughly recommend it”.
For further details and an application form pop into your local leisure centre, call 0141 578 8222 or e-mail athlete.performance@eastdunbarton.gov.uk