Louis Passfield's blog

In August 2011 Oli Beckingsale broke his leg whilst competing in a World Cup cross-country mountain bike race in the Czech Republic. Only one week before this Oli's Olympic preparation for London 2012 had looked well on track as he recorded the best result for a British rider all year finishing 9th in the European Championships. Now, Oli has to overcome a mountainous challenge simply to make the starting grid of what would be his fourth Olympic final.

Did you know that there is relatively little scientific work examining how to write a winning training programme? For me this is particularly ironic, as I was initially motivated to study sports science in order to learn how devise more scientific and therefore effective training programmes. Instead I learnt that good coaching and the design of successful training programmes is currently as much an art as a science.

Are you interested in helping at the London 2012 Olympic Games?

If so there are only a few days left before applications for volunteers close (at midnight on Wednesday 27th October).

On behalf of all at the Centre for Sports Studies, I'd like to extend a very warm welcome to all our new students. Whether you are studying Sports and Exercise Management, Sports Science, Sports Therapy or our MSc in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation we are confident that your time at the University of Kent will prove stimulating and rewarding.

Welcome too, to our new staff members, Professor Samuele Marcora, Carla Meijen, Claire Graham, Colm Gregory and Alastair Thrush. We are truly a European department in sports studies now.

The Centre for Sports Studies continues to go from strength to strength. I am particularly reminded of that at this time of year when we celebrate the success of our current cohort of students as they graduate in the beautiful surroundings of Rochester Cathedral. The Centre is growing strongly, admitting more students with higher entry grades, recruiting new staff, producing exciting research and developing activities in our brand new facilities at Medway Park.

For the past few years I have had the privilege of working with two of Britain’s leading bike riders, Oli Beckingsale and Simon Richardson. Both riders are regular visitors to the Centre for Sports Studies as we help them with fitness testing and their training programmes. Oli and Simon have worked hard over the winter months preparing for their 2010 season.

Several students have asked me to guide them on how best to revise for their exams; so I thought I'd provide some advice, based on my experience of setting and marking examinations and acting as an external examiner at other universities.

In the run-up to the Tour de France, join the Science Museum to discover more about the limits of human endurance and bike design.

Date:  Monday, 07 June 2010
Time:  19:00 - 20:45
Location:  Dana Centre, London

Are you interested presenting the findings of your dissertation at a national sports conference? If you are, speak to your supervisor, as the Centre for Sports Studies will pay £50 towards the cost of your attendance at the conference.

Wednesday 10th February sees the second of our UCAS visit days for prospective sports students. We also have several more planned for the 24th February, 10th March, and 24th March. Welcome if you are a prospective student - we hope you enjoy your visit and are impressed by what we have to offer at the University of Kent's Centre for Sports Studies. For those who are already Kent students, please do come along if you are able, meet potential new students, help staff with demonstrations, and even get paid for the privilege!