Performance partnership for LJMU and Vikings

WIDNES Vikings have announced a boost in their Performance Department which has ensured their players are fitter and stronger than ever before thanks to a new partnership with John Moore’s University (LJMU). This partnership provides evidence-based solutions to the players’ development and performance needs at every level throughout the Club with the use of LJMU academic research and internships from the University. Widnes Head of Strength and Conditioning Clive Brewer says the partnership has helped to make this year’s pre-season like no other as the Vikings prepared for the 2014 season. He said: “One of the big areas we have moved forward on this year is in the Conditioning & Sports Medicine Departments. We now have a team of three physiotherapists working with the players and I have an assistant working full-time alongside me, as well as the interns from Liverpool John Moore’s University. What it means for us is that we can do more things, and do things better. It's great having such forward-thinking colleagues, where we can work together to challenge what we are doing and bring a joint perspective to how we can improve every player.” Brewer, who is now into his 3rd year at the Club, says the players and the Vikings’ in-house experts are making big strides in 2014. “The players are making so much progress and we can see that from the pictures and data we have on them,” Brewer added. The last two years have seen a highly successful collaboration between the Performance Department at the Widnes Vikings and the LJMU School of Sport and Exercise Sciences which has led to the official partnership. Brewer says the Vikings have a ‘great track record’ in preparing interns for future employment. “Widnes Vikings Performance Department has a great track record of preparing interns for future careers,” he said. “A number have achieved their master’s degrees, UKSCA accreditation and gone on to positions with other clubs ( and rugby union), other sports organisations (such as the English Institute of Sport) or research opportunities. In a challenging employment field we are really proud of our record.” Dr Graeme Close, LJMU Senior Lecturer in Exercise Metabolism and Nutrition, said: “The partnership aims to deliver sustainable, innovative and evidence-based solutions to player, development and performance needs at every level throughout the Club.” Ends. Clare Doran, Press and Publications Officer, Liverpool John Moores University, T: 0151 231 3004 [email protected] Founded in 1825, LJMU is a modern civic university delivering impactful research and scholarship that form the foundation for its interaction with industry, business and the community. Ranked in the top 100 new universities in the world, the University has around 24,000 students, recruited from over 100 countries, who are enrolled on a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate taught and research degrees as well as continuing professional development programmes. LJMU is one of the UK’s leading research active contemporary universities, with world- leading and internationally recognised research taking place across the institution. It also continues to be one of the UK’s leading higher education institutions for its interaction with business and the community. This interaction informs both teaching and research at the University and impacts positively on graduate employability, with 92% of graduates being in work or further study within six months of leaving the University.