Chester FC players put through paces as University students assist pre-season training led by alumnus
A University of Chester alumnus was reunited with his former lecturer as students helped prepare Chester Football Club players for their new season.
Health and wellbeing coach Ash Armstrong, who studied Sport and Exercise Sciences and a Master’s in Sports Sciences (Strength and Conditioning) at the University between 2013 and 2017, now runs private members gym OPH Performance Centre at the Deva Community Stadium – the home of Chester FC.
Recently he welcomed Jamie Highton, Professor of Applied Sports Physiology at the University, with students from the Sport and Exercise Sciences programme, as first-team players were tested with isometric and dynamic measures of strength related to running ability and player readiness, ahead of their National League North campaign.
Ash said: “It was a real full-circle moment for me. I studied both my undergraduate degree and Master’s at the University of Chester, with Jamie being one of my lecturers, and at the time my ambition was to work within strength and conditioning and professional sport.
“The experience and opportunities I had through the University gave me a great foundation for the career I’ve built since. To now have Jamie and current students come into a facility I’ve built, working with Chester FC players in a professional environment, was really rewarding to see.
“It was great to reconnect with Jamie and hopefully give the students the same kind of valuable practical experience that helped me when I was in their position.”
Jamie said: “It was great to see what Ash has achieved, and a brilliant opportunity for some of our Sport and Exercise Science students to work with first-team players at a fan-owned community club as they prepared for the new season. It gave our students invaluable experience of working in a professional sport environment.”
Head of Physical Performance at Chester FC, James Williams, said: “Jamie and everyone else from the University of Chester have been extremely helpful over the course of pre-season testing. They have provided us with the ability to gain force-time metrics and create in-depth profiles of our players, helping us to prescribe personalised training plans for the squad.
“The students who helped were fantastic and I hope that this exposure to professional sport has been educational and informative for them.”
Chester FC have had a perfect start to their National League North season, winning their opening four matches.