MAXIMISING SPORTING POTENTIAL

Hillingdon’s Elite Performance Pathway

In September 2022, ACS International School Hillingdon launched the Elite Performance Pathway (EPP). The new programme is designed to further support the development and progression of our most gifted and talented athletes and help them achieve sporting excellence. Ultimately, the aim of EPP is to provide our students with the support necessary to become strong university scholarship candidates, who have the ability, knowledge and training to progress into higher-level sport beyond school. The programme is delivered through a series of one-to-one sessions, workshops and group-based activities to closely mimic life as a professional athlete, and covers strength and conditioning, lifestyle support, psychology, physiotherapy, nutrition, and education.Strength and conditioningStrength and conditioning plays an important role in building robust athletes. It can help to reduce the risk of injury, while developing physical characteristics that support an individual’s long-term plan. At ACS Hillingdon, strength and conditioning support is given to EPP athletes across gym and pitch-based sessions, helping to improve performance in strength, speed, power and general conditioning.

Lifestyle supportLifestyle support is delivered to our students on a one-to-one basis by a specialist sporting consultant. Their role is to ensure students balance a busy school life with the demands of performance sport and personal development. This includes discussions around schedules, demands, challenges, key goals and aspirations, and adjusting to new environments. PsychologyThere are growing conversations about the importance of proper psychological support as part of elite sport in the 21^st century, and rightly so. EPP aims to equip young people with the mental skills, training and psychological tools necessary to perform in competition, as well as insight into anxiety management, focusing techniques, confidence, mental resilience and counselling.Physiotherapy Offering this to our athletes is highly important as it plays a key role in both injury assessment and prevention. As well as physiotherapy, we offer sports massage that can be used to aid the recovery process from prolonged periods of heavy training or competition.NutritionCorrect food choices ensure the body has enough energy for physical activity, as well as help aid recovery. Experts work with our young people on EPP to advise on proven sport-specific nutrition strategies that support improvement and lead to better outcomes for athletes.

Education This aspect aims to provide support around further education and career opportunities, including scholarships, work experience, placements and career workshops. Embedding this as part of EPP ensures our young people are prepared for life after sport – and develop as well-rounded people first and an athlete second. With the programme still in its early stages, we are looking forward to expanding EPP in the coming months, and involving even more students so we can nurture our athletes and enhance their promising, future careers in sport.^{TOM WAIN IS HEAD OF ELITE PERFORMANCE PATHWAY AT ACS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HILLINGDON}