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Team Durham
Maiden Castle exterior at dusk

S&C Heads South for the Winter

18 January 2023
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S&C Coach and team

Our very own Strength and Conditioning Coach Jon Boyle ventured down south earlier this month, to support the Women's GB Squad in their preparation for Portugal.

Jon Boyle has been a well-known and well-loved Strength and Conditioning Coach here at Team Durham coming on 15 years. From developing seriously strong rugby players, to powerful weightlifters, to skilful footballers - Jon has played a monumental part in developing thousands of athletes here at Durham over the years. A wealth of Jon's knowledge and passion has been poured into Durham University Boat Club. There's just something about going forwards and backwards in a boat that triggers Jon to produce national and international-level rowers (with a little help from the rowing coaches). "Little Jon" has spread far and wide, impressing British Rowing and Team GB with his personable approach and outstanding coaching qualities, whilst demonstrating his exceptional knowledge base and unparalleled commitment to athlete development. 
Jon counts himself lucky enough to have been invited down in the past to Bisham Abbey on numerous occasions, to shadow and coach sessions for both juniors and seniors; bagging himself a plane ticket to lead on the J17 camp in Portugal - We think they're the lucky ones! When the opportunity arose to head back down to support the Women's GB Squad earlier this month, whilst their S&C coach was on paternity, Jon seized it.

The land camp at Bisham Abbey was a physical preparation block, preparing the seniors for their rowing camp in Portugal. The sessions were aimed at developing whole body strength and power, along with upper and lower body work capacity; with each session ending with trunk conditioning. In essence - everything you need to become the most physically complete athlete in the world class rowing programme! No pressure Jon...
His time was well spent both in and out of the strength and conditioning suite, whilst reminiscing earlier DUBC memories, coaching Durham alumna Lauren Irwin (pictured 2nd from bottom left). Lauren won silver in the women's eight at the 2022 European Rowing Championships - doing Durham proud on the national stage! 
This opportunity offered Jon the networking skills to work with top-level physiotherapists to ensure the team were physically ready. It also gave Jon further insight into the world of elite sport, which benefits Team Durham as he comes back inspired to achieve the impossible with his athletes. 
Welcome home Jon!