Alex Paves the Way for Athletics Success
Congratulations to Upper Sixth student, Alex Houchin for successfully completing his Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DISE) last week. Alex achieved this milestone as part of the Youth Talent Pathway (YTP) in collaboration with England Athletics and Loughborough College.
Alex was selected for the YTP 18 months ago and since then he has been attending their academic and practical coaching sessions outside school during his holidays and on weekends.
The YTP programme aims to: “meet the needs of identified, talented English athletes between 16 and 18 years of age. The programme focuses on developing a dual career for the athlete through fulfilling their potential within sport and also their education and employability”.
Throughout this qualification, Alex has undertaken various projects, engaged in meetings with sports psychologists and a nutritionist, and regularly attended sessions at the Talent Hub located at Birmingham University. His commitment culminated in passing his final professional assessment on Saturday 6 May.
Alex said, “Over the past 18 months, I have undergone comprehensive training and development as part of my course. This included attending six national training days and academic sessions at the prestigious Alexander Stadium (Commonwealth Games stadium), where I had the privilege of learning from national coaches. The training encompassed various aspects of being a professional athlete, such as media training, professional nutrition guidance, strength and conditioning sessions endorsed by England Athletics, and valuable psychological and financial training. I applied the knowledge gained from these sessions to workbooks and spoken assessments.
Additionally, I had the incredible opportunity to attend events like the Commonwealth Games as part of the Team England Futures programme. I attended a conference featuring prominent figures like BBC commentator Steve Cram and former Olympian Tom Bosworth, the former has become a valuable contact for me in the sports media industry. Alongside this I have enjoyed seminars at Birmingham University’s business school receiving guidance on completing workbooks and personalised sessions with England Sport nutritionists and psychologists.
Considering the days attended and the independent work completed, I have dedicated over 60 hours to the course. I have really enjoyed doing the course and some of the opportunities it has provided me I wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere else. It has enabled me to further my development as an athlete”.
Despite overcoming a serious hamstring injury and glandular fever, Alex is optimistic about returning to Athletics competition this summer. His training has been rigorous and intensive showing promising results. Looking ahead, Alex hopes to pursue a degree in Sports Management next year and we wish him every success in his A Levels and in his Athletics.