I am an accredited sports and exercise scientist (BASES), chartered scientist, and strength and conditioning coach (UKSCA) and have worked with elite and aspiring athletes for more than a decade (including Olympic and Paralympic athletes). I have a particular interest in the assessment and development of movement skills and physical performance in children and young people. My PhD focused on the physical development of girls football players and I’ve published guidelines for coaches to help them develop physical characteristics in this group. As a lecturer in biomechanics and strength and conditioning I use my experience as an applied practitioner to inform my teaching and prepare students for the workplace. My current research spans the spectrum of health and performance sport from the use of strength training to develop movement skill in primary school children to collaborations with professional sports teams. For example, I supervise a PhD student at the Major League Soccer team, Philadelphia Union. 

As a strength and conditioning coach, I have led the physical development programme for Teesside Sports FA Girls’ Regional Talent Club since 2011 and enjoy applying my research directly to my practice.