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12/02/2008
UK Sport and ABAE partnership paying off
UK Sport's Yorkshire Regional Manager Peter Elliott has highlighted the rise in amateur boxing talent in England.
An article in the organisation's 2007 Annual Review details UK Sport's increased levels of funding for Olympic sports. Mr Elliott says: "A plethora of young and determined amateur talent is starting to emerge at world level."
"Through our partnership with the Amateur Boxing Association of England, we have been providing science and medical support to boxing for a long time, but it was not until the new UK Sport funded GB Programme in September 2006 and the selection camps began that the levels of support provided moved up a gear."
"Initially the EIS provided medical, performance analysis, nutritional and psychological support to the boxers at camps and competitions, but once we started working together on selection following the new GB Programme we became involved in the assessment of selection criteria including attitudinal analysis, musculoskeletal assessments, weight management strength conditioning work and specific boxing skills development."
The review also highlights the invaluable support provided by the Sheffield EIS, where the elite training camps has been centralised since January 2007. EIS Nutritionist Richard Chessor commented on the effects of these camps for the boxers: "They provide us with the ability to closely monitor any developments, such as weight management protocols, which is critical prior to any major competitions. Boxers reported feeling the best they had ever felt when stepping onto the scales prior to competition. A huge advantage not only physically but also mentally."
Terry Edwards, GB Head Coach, agrees: "It's having a big impact on not only the boxers, but also on the coaches. They are now able to scrutinise their boxers' performance and preparation to the finest detail. For a long time we had taken advantage of the latest performance analysis tools and techniques, but to now apply the tools and techniques of the other support disciplines has moved coach feedback on to a higher level."