Alumni support elite football event

Professionals, staff and students have learned about the latest developments in football sport performance at a special event hosted by Teesside University.

The inaugural Teesside University Football Performance and Rehabilitation Summit attracted more than 70 delegates to hear a range of speakers from the world of professional sports.

Organised by Professor Paul Chesterton, Dr Jonathan Taylor and Dr Matt Wright from the University’s School of Health and Life Sciences, the summit provided the opportunity for students to learn about the latest advances in sport science from individuals working at the forefront of the professional game.

Speakers at the summit included Teesside University alumni including:

• Dr Paul Catterson (Head of Medicine, Newcastle United FC)
• Louis Cunningham (Head of Strength and Conditioning, Norwich City FC)
• Shaun McLaren (Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach at Newcastle Falcons)

Ally Hamilton, Head of Academy Sport Science, Middlesbrough FC also attended to pass on his insights to the delegates.

Professor Chesterton said: 'This has been a fantastic event. It’s been an excellent opportunity to showcase the brilliant work of our alumni and provide a broad picture of the opportunities that our curriculum can offer.

'Hearing from our speakers has provide enormous inspiration to our students.'

Louis Cunningham and Shaun McLaren both completed BSc Sport & Exercise and MSc Strength & Conditioning degrees at Teesside University.

Louis said coming back and working with students at the university provided him with enormous motivation.

He said: 'I’ve got a real soft spot for Teesside and I try and visit at least once a year.

'I‘m really proud of my work and am happy to share it. If there’s a young practitioner or student here that I influence that makes me very happy.'

Shaun McLaren added that supporting young people into their careers at events like these was incredibly rewarding.

He said: 'I can remember probably at least four or five key moments through my time here, and they were all in some way instigated by somebody giving a talk or having a conversation and the penny just drops and it inspires you to do something else or different.

'When I first started at university, I didn’t really know what to do and thought I would be a PE teacher, but then I realised there was a whole different world of elite sport out there.

'It’s good, now that I’m on the other side of the fence, to be able to give back and signpost to the opportunities out there.'

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