Category: Performance Sport

University of Bristol Ladies Hockey Club Charity Day at Coombe Dingle

Posted on by Megan Leeson

This week’s blog post is written by the University of Bristol Ladies Hockey Club, as they hosted a charity day on 13 November. From taking over the @bristolunisport Instagram stories for the day, to bringing their hockey kit in a microwave, read what else they got up during the day!

The 13 November saw University of Bristol Ladies Hockey Club (UBLHC) takeover of Coombe Dingle, with four teams playing BUCS matches against opposition from Bath, Cardiff and Hartpury. But the fun didn’t stop there. We hosted a charity day alongside our matches, raising money for two Bristol-based charities that we have worked closely with before: Bristol Hygiene Bank and The Bridge, which offers support to individuals after experiencing sexual assault.

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How the Strength and Conditioning Team are Supporting Youth Programmes

Posted on by Megan Leeson

After a busy summer getting our performance sports clubs prepared for the upcoming BUCS season, our Head of Strength and Conditioning Coach Calum Conway discusses how the University’s Strength and Conditioning team are also supporting our youth programmes.

Pre-season S&C at the OWL gym at Coombe Dingle

Pre-season was an incredible opportunity to welcome our performance sports back to Coombe Dingle Sports Complex and provide four weeks of preparation ahead of the 2024/24 BUCS season. However, the Strength and Conditioning (S&C) department were also hard at work preparing a number of other clubs this summer, making use of the facilities and expertise on campus.

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UK Coaching Week 2024 – Top Tips on Leadership and Coaching

Posted on by Megan Leeson

This week’s blog post celebrates UK Coaching Week! The theme for this year’s campaign is focusing on developing holistic coaching skills and encouraging more women into leadership positions within sport. We spoke with our Strength and Conditioning Coach Samara Nche about the lessons that she has learnt from her ten-year coaching career, as well as some tips on leadership from our Tennis Head Coach Ali Blackett.

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A Look Back at Performance Sport in Term Two

Posted on by Megan Leeson

As the 2023/24 BUCS season concludes for 85 of our Bristol teams, our Performance Sport Manager Matt Paine reflects on term two having ended the term in the top 10 of the national BUCS Points table, as well as remembering our Head of Hockey, Ben Dudley, one year after he lost his fight to cancer.

I always seem to say it, but wow this has been a special term. From teams in BUCS and National Competition, to individuals playing Super League Netball, and to top that, some very exciting sporting playoffs to come over the next few weeks! (more…)

Micro-dosing Strength Exercises and the Butterfly Effect for Runners

Posted on by Megan Leeson

This week’s blog post is written by one of our Physiotherapists, Henry Abrahams. As a Physiotherapist (MSc) and a Personal Trainer with a BSc in Sports Science, Henry also cofounded MoveWell, selling sustainable recovery fitness and rehabilitation products. Henry shares his knowledge on how micro-dosing strength exercises is a great way to incorporate strength work for runners, as well as the top three exercises you can do!

We often hear ‘build strength to improve your running’ and ‘your ability to recover’ but let’s be honest, it can be difficult to find the time.

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Pre-Season: What’s all the fuss about?

Posted on by Megan Leeson

This week’s blog is written by our Performance Sport Manager, Matt Paine! Taking place from 21 August – 15 September 2023, Matt describes why pre-season is so important to our student athletes.

Sunshine, unlimited chance to play your sport, conditioning in the gym and field, and access to the best experts in Performance you say? And, we have not even talked about the Burrito Bar yet! Well, that’s what took place for five weeks in August and September at the University of Bristol. (more…)

Performance sport team trial cutting edge GPS technology

Posted on by Beck Throup

The members of the Performance Sport department at Bristol University are always looking to advance and improve the way in which they manage and support the development, health, and performance of our student-athletes. Their latest innovation, brought in on trial by the Strength and Conditioning (S&C) department facilitated by Dr Will Sparkes, is a set of top-of-the-range GPS units provided by Catapult Sports, an Australian-based sports analytics company that works with many of the top professional sports teams around the world. (more…)

Why joining a sports club will be one of the best things you’ll do at university

Posted on by madeleine.cross

There is a lot going on during your first few weeks of university so don’t worry if you didn’t feel ready to sign up to any clubs or societies just yet – there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved this year. All student clubs run a little differently, however most welcome all abilities and may offer Performance teams that focus on competing, as well as social sessions for those just wanting to play for fun.

In this blog post we’ll be looking at some of the reasons joining a sports club can enhance your university experience!

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What to Eat Before and During a Run

Posted on by Molly Williams

Written by Dr Fiona Lithander, Performance Nutritionist and Dietitian

Dr. Fiona Lithander
Dr. Fiona Lithander


In this blog post, our in-house Dietician and Nutrition expert, Dr Fiona Lithander, gives us the information and advice that we need to stay well-fuelled before and during a long run. Whether you’re taking part in the University of Bristol Run Series Half Marathon or you like to de-stress with a long run in the evenings and on weekend, this post is for you!

 

 

Before a run

The key thing is to start your run well fuelled and well hydrated.  A pre-race meal is recommended about 3-4 hours before the start of the race. This may differ slightly between people which is why it is important to practice, to see what works best for you.

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Faces of the Run Series: Teigan Ball

Posted on by BristolUniSport

“I have been really struggling with motivation during these last few weeks. The Run Series provides me with an excellent opportunity to do this for me, to collect the medals, join a community and feel a part of the university again.”

A lady running in a maroon coloured jacket
Action shot of Tiegan running

 

Name: Tiegan Ball

Role: Wellbeing Sports Liaison Officer

Division: Student Wellbeing Network, Bristol SU

Other roles: NHS Bank Worker and Novice Captain, University of Bristol Boat Club

Studying: Bachelor of Science, BS Childhood studies

 

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