We may be in lockdown but our Sports Scholars haven’t stopped working.
Lincoln University’s sports scholarship programme is in its 21st year and supports some of the best young talent in netball, basketball, rugby, rowing, hockey, cricket and a myriad of other codes under its elite category.
The scholars, while scattered around the country, are having programmes posted on social media such as Facebook, to keep them trim, including using fenceposts and tyres around the farm to keep fit, as well as 2.4 kilometre runs and squat challenges.
Athletic Performance Manager, Richard Deuchrass, said due to the wide variety of circumstances with equipment and training locations, such as in Auckland where all training grounds and parks are closed, athletes had to adapt, so their sports trainers were posting a wide variety of options for them.
But they are not just for the sports scholars.
“We are using this medium so as not to confine training ideas to Sports Scholars only, but open up them up to our wider sporting community too.”
However, there is an expectation on the scholars.
“We still have our athlete management system running (Metrifit) so athletes are expected to continue logging their wellness Monday-Wednesday-Friday and log trainings they are completing,” he said.
“We are also encouraging them to message each trainer or strength and conditioning coach personally to stay in contact with their personal situation and how they are going in any aspect of the lockdown.”
The Lincoln University Recreation Centre is also looking after its members while closed, with a Self-Isolation Challenge Facebook page designed to keep gym goers “moving, motivated and engaged, in isolation”
So, there’s no excuse for not keeping in shape.