Release date: December 14, 2021
Next Level Strength and Fitness Head Performance Coach Damien Ghafoor puts the team through its paces
The Rochdale AFC U19 team is elevated to the next level after signing up for strength and conditioning training at a local gym.
The team, who are all studying on the sports and soccer scholarship program at the soccer club’s Crown Oil Arena sports college, are put through their paces by Damien Ghafoor, Next Level’s head coach for strength and fitness.
Every Friday, players complete a one-hour workout at the Bury Road gym to improve their strength and fitness for game days.
Michael Bardsley, youth coach at Rochdale AFC, said the team have had three training sessions so far and have seen huge improvements in strength, speed and agility.
He added, “They found the sessions really tough.
“Damien is really getting her through, but her fitness has improved massively and that is so noticeable on the pitch.
“All of our other training is tactical, but the players know that this is really hard work.”
All students are enrolled in the Rochdale AFC Sport and Football Scholarship Program, which combines study and football.
It is open to 16-18 year olds who play football and have a BTEC Level 3 sports diploma.
They designed Next Level to improve student fitness, and sophomore Leah Jackson, 17, said it was paying off.
She said, “The sessions are really fun, but they are intense. They make us all stronger and improve our endurance. “
16 year old freshman student and team captain Logan Cain added, “Damien really drives us and makes us work hard.
“It helps us to get fitter, which is crucial and you can already really see the improvements.”
Next Level Strength and Fitness Head Performance Coach Damien Ghafoor puts the team through its paces
The sessions combine strength and cardio training through a HIIT-style circuit that helps the team focus on things like explosive strength, endurance, coordination, and safe lifting techniques.
Damien said: “It’s been a great honor to coach the team. Our gym has always been about giving back to the community. When the local association approached us, we took the chance to help.
“The sessions helped improve core and upper body strength, stamina, and confidence.
“Some of the players have accepted them from day one and you can see them giving it their all, while others have really made progress and are now trying new exercises and wondering what’s next week.
“We really loved every minute of it.”
Next Level has similar sessions for members on weekdays and Saturday mornings.
Rochdale AFC Sports College is recruiting male and female players for the program next year – more information can be found here: www.rochdaleafccommunity.org/sports-college
