Who do you have in your corner?

how the right support will elevate your performance

There is no denying that natural talent is a key factor when it comes to athletic performance in any sport, no argument that you need natural talent to reach the top, no debate that hard work and hours of practice are required alongside this talent, no argument that the right nutrition is just as important to support the training and competition. These are all factors and elements that are well known.

However there is an additional element that can have a significant impact on maximising your performance in training, on the track and on the length of your career as an athlete. That element is the team that you have around you.

Building a team that have your best interests and your performance at heart is key, a team that are there to support and guide you, to enhance your performance, be your sounding board, support circle, mentor, confident and friends. A good team will bring a range of skills to enhance your physical and mental performance. They will provide balance, know how and when to take the pressure and stress off and help you to unwind. They will help shoulder the responsibility, the pressure and both the highs and lows of competition.

Fundamentally the right team around you will not only enhance your performance in the sporting arena, they will enhance it in training, in life and help to make you an all round better athlete.

You can look across any sport, look at the best athletes and you will find a strong team behind them all. They wont necessarily be there grabbing the attention, in fact they will more than likely be in the background and from the outside it’s unlikely many will know they are there…but they are there doing everything they can to maximise the performance of the athlete they are with.

So what are common components of a strong support team?

• Manager / Management

• Strength & Conditioning Coach

• Physio

• Long terms friends

• Family

• Nutritionist

• Psychologist

While the size of the support team will vary depending on the individual and the sport. In team sports the support is there and often part of the team, for individual athletes there can be some support from governing bodies it is usually up to the individual athlete to build this support bubble around them. The size of this bubble will vary depending on the individual and the sport. Not all need will be present at every competition, but they will be there whenever the athlete needs them.

For drivers and riders the support team is usually small, but it’s powerful. At competitions you will usually find:

• Manager - someone to help guide and manage performance over the long term

• Strength & Conditioning Coach or physio - someone who can maximise your performance, take care of all your kit, act as your PA where needed, facilitate recovery and have an understanding of how to treat and manage injuries where needed. As the individual who will usually travel with the driver or rider they are also a friend and confident, will know you as an athlete and individual understanding how to take the stress and pressure off when it’s needed.

• Family or friends - those that know you best and provide balance and a level head, a reminder of reality and when needed a welcome distraction from the demands and pressures of competition.

So as an athlete how strong is your support team?