Stars of the Celtic Crusaders rugby league team are defined as powerful and strong by the very nature of their sport, but students from Glyndwr University will be testing just exactly how well they shape up.
Using facilities in the university’s research laboratories, sports and coaching science students at the Wrexham university are to begin assessing the fitness levels of players as part of work for their degree.
The programme includes assessments of players’ strength, power, agility and flexibility. Aerobic fitness will also be tested.
Dr Sue Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Sciences, said the opportunity of working with a professional rugby league side will provide students with a real-life experience like no other.
She said: "We already work with a number of local sports teams but to have the chance of working with such a high profile club as the Crusaders will be another great opportunity for students.
"It will provide excellent hands-on experience of spending some time with professional athletes who are training 24/7 and competing at the highest level. It’s not an opportunity which many students would get while at university and we’re grateful to the Crusaders for their support."
As well as the initiative with the Crusaders, Glyndwr University’s sports science students already benefit from links with Wrexham Football Club, the North Wales Regional Tennis Centre, WRU and North Wales Basketball – all of which are helping to ensure they are among the most satisfied students in the UK.
Feedback on all aspects of their degree, including quality of teaching, assessment and feedback, led to Glyndwr University being ranked in the top two in the UK for sports science in the recent National Student Survey.
"We have finished in the top five in the UK for the last three years of the National Student Survey and we are pleased that we are consistently meeting students’ expectations," added Dr Taylor. "All of the students have access to dynamic and friendly staff who are research active and opportunities such as the work with the Crusaders really help to enhance their experiences and make them more employable when they leave university."
For more information on undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in sport and exercise sciences and coaching science at Glyndwr University, visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk or call the Student Information Desk on 01978 293439.
