High performance unit keeps Bond in shape
THEY’RE one of the Gold Coast’s sporting meccas but not even a global pandemic can stop Bond University’s high performance centre from getting the best out of their athletes.
A handful of Bond University sporting sides and individuals were either set to start or were in the infancy of sporting seasons when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing many sports to stand down until was safe to play again.
When the high performance centre closed, impacting several state, national and international sporting sides, facility manager Glenn Corcoran and his team had to think on their feet.
And that’s when virtual high performance workouts were born. “With the social distancing and lockdowns of training centres due to COVID-19 restrictions, the it problem we encountered was teams and squads that were in rugby’s case, one week away from the start of their 2020 season when training had to cease,” Corcoran said.
“Athletes that had worked hard to achieve fitness and strength levels that had exceeded previous preparations were informed that the competitions were postponed indefinitely
“The HPTC working with Bond Sport concentrated on how to quickly deliver training routines to athletes that were in the routine of regular structured, supervised sessions to try and ensure that when restrictions were lifted our teams would be in the best physical position to resume activity in what will be a shortened second pre-season.”
About 1200 athletes have access to the online programs including Australian representatives like sprinters Ellie Beer, Murray Goodwin and mountain biker Janine Jungfels, a bronze medallist at the 2019 world titles.
The online programs have also been provided to Bond club sport, the Viking athletics squad, high performance surf lifesaving squad, five Gold Coast netball associations as well as Bond staff.
The centre has produced about 25 videos ranging from body weight training, to yoga, stretching, abdominal sessions, circuits and speed work.