With the start of term now only a week away, sportsmen and women at the University are set to gear up for their campaign ahead, with next week’s pre-season week.
The event will be happening for the second time after last year’s successful week helped the preparation of numerous teams, allowing them to make a promising start to what turned out to be a successful season.
A welcome talk and registration session will be held on Monday morning at 11am in YourSpace, allowing clubs to sign up for events and find out more information about the week ahead.
York Sport President Cassandra Brown: “‘I’m really hoping that this year pre-season gives clubs the head start they need to help re-start the campaign to get York into the BUCS top 40. Last year we finished 43rd but hopefully with the additions we’ve made this year that will change. There’s also going to be awards given out to those individuals/clubs who demonstrate the most commitment to the week!”
As well as individual sessions run by the respective University clubs, York Sport Union will be holding a series of classes at the Sports Village including spin, yoga and kettleballs.
On Monday, Jon Roberts, the Performance and Coaching Director for the Rugby Football league, will be visiting the University to give a talk entitled ‘Preparing to Win’, in the Ron Cooke Hub at 3pm. A further speech will also be given by a sports nutritionist to assist with the development of athletes here at York.
Specialist coaching will also be put on for the Badminton club by James Vincent, who is a leading coach at Leeds Met Carnegie, whilst other clubs will benefit from the presence of coach-led sessions.
There will also be a series of friendly matches held during the duration of the week, helping to prepare for the season ahead.
The most high profile fixture will see the Men’s Rugby 1st XV test themselves against Loughborough 2nds, as they prepare for a season in a higher division against stronger teams. There will also be badminton friendlies against Leeds, and hockey fixtures against York St John.
Individual clubs are also invited to attend fitness testing sessions, led by Strength and Conditioning Coach Peter Ashcroft, starting from 12:30pm on Tuesday. Clubs will be able to sign up for these at Monday’s welcome talk.