Since the introduction of women’s boxing onto the Olympic programme for London 2012, GB Boxing has established an elite programme for its top flight females, which centralised at the sports base at the English Institute of Sport (EIS), Sheffield, earlier this year.

Accessing a breadth of EIS sport science and medical support services over the past year, the centralised programme format will aim to take the same detailed approach to the women’s squad as the men’s squad has already enjoyed, with four days a week at the base now in place.

EIS Sport Scientist Chris Marshall works with the women’s squad, with much of his focus on the psychological aspect of the team, and believes the centralised programme will help take the women to the next level, both in physical and mental preparation for the London Games.

“With the squad training full time it’s hoped that improvements can be made quicker and the learning they are able to do as athletes can be improved to enable them to learn faster than the opposition whilst taking on the various coaching and sport science and medical expertise available.

“Training here with the rest of the programme will also help athletes focus on next years Games and the day in, day out commitment and mental strength which will play its part in targeting medal success.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Related stories:

In the limelight – women’s boxing ^[1]

Boxing: Women’s boxing to be broadcast for first time ever ^[2]

Boxing: GB Boxing selects team for World Champs ^[3]

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….


…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
EIS Strength and Conditioning Coach Ian Pyper works across both the men’s and women’s programmes and believes the regular input will help the women’s team.

“Moving from a few sessions per month to regular sessions each week is a great step forward in terms of what we can now do with their strength and conditioning work.”

“Whereas before, much of the work would be done and then set as ‘home work’ to be done back at the squads various training bases, we can now establish a more regular programme which will enable them to move forward at a greater pace. This is key for consistency and for their long term development.”

The squad access a breadth of sport science and medical support including physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, performance psychology, performance nutrition, performance analysis and performance lifestyle.

Speaking of the EIS experts now working with them at the GB training base, Nicola Adams, from the women’s programme said: “It’s amazing to have the support team we have around us. The move to the centralised programme has meant we get both coaching and EIS expertise more regularly and it will really help push our performance against our competitors.”

Savannah Marshall added: “Having been up to the GB boxing base regularly over the past year, we’ve all had a taste of the experience from the coaches and EIS team that work with the programme. Now, to be there four days a week, gives us the chance to get the most from our training – whether that’s with the psych, performance analysis, nutritionist, physio or coaches. We’ve got everything in one place focused on making us the best.”

The countdown to 2012 for the GB Boxing Programme begins with the forthcoming Bosckai Memorial Tournament in Hungary (February 8-12) with eight male boxers competing and the Strandja Cup in Bulgaria (February 15-20), with three female and eight male boxers going to the tournament.

Bocskai tournament squad: Khalid Yafai (52kg), Andrew Selby (52kg), Luke Campbell (56kg), Bradley Saunders (64kg), Callum Smith (69kg), Obed Mbwakongo (81kg) and Danny Price (91kg).

Stranja tournament squad:
Women’s Squad: Nicola Adams (51kg), Natasha Jonas (60kg) and Savannah Marshall (75kg).
Men’s Squad: Tommy Stubbs (52kg), Gamal Yafai (56kg), Martin Ward (60kg), Scott Cardle (64kg), Fred Evans (69kg), Anthony Fowler (69kg), Anthony Ogogo (75kg) and Simon Vallily (91kg).

For more information about the GB Boxing programme and for updates and results, visit the GB Boxing website at www.gbboxing.org.uk ^[4].

Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Photo’s courtesy of GB Boxing