Spartans benefit from University of Sunderland support in pre-season

As Blyth Spartans began their preparations for the 2015/16 season at the weekend they did so with some support from The University of Sunderland.

Spartans management duo Tom Wade and Lee Picton were joined at training by the club's Sports Scientist Anna Castiaux as the players' fitness levels were assessed after their summer break.

And they made good use of specialist equipment lent to them by the University.

That led Spartans' boss Wade to pay tribute to the University.

"We have to say a huge thank you to the University of Sunderland for their assistance with our pre-season fitness tests. The tests were conducted by Anna who has worked with the squad for the last three years.

"We have done something similar, using the equipment from the University, and it worked. We played seventy games last season with a small squad and the pre-season tests were a great guide of how we needed to set up our pre-season schedule. It gives us really useful information to take in to new season."

Anna's University supervisor for her Masters degree, Bill Sheldon (Principal Lecturer) also noted: "It doesn't surprise me that Anna has undertaken such sound work for Blyth Spartans as she has shown great perseverance and diligence to submit her MPhil degree thesis recently. Her studies had strong capabilities to be transferred to practice and this is what Anna is now demonstrating in practice."

And after seeing the Spartans players put through their paces Castiaux said: "The tests were designed to analyse power, strength and endurance. The lads came through them well and the club now has a base from which to plan the pre-season."

Dr Ian Whyte, Team Leader of the University of Sunderland's Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences said: "The work that Anna has been undertaking helps to ensure that the University is visible in surrounding areas and is testament to our pledge to be a great civic University, engaging with the local and wider community."

And it's not just on pitch matters where the University have supported the Spartans.

A flourishing relationship is also benefitting Spartans' award winning Media Team with two Sunderland University journalism students more than playing their part in a successful season for the team last year.

Luke Bidwell and Matt Riggs were both part of a Media Team that received praise from the local and national media last season as Spartans went on a remarkable FA Cup run that saw the club in the headlines. They follow in the footsteps of other University of Sunderland students at the club. In addition the club is hoping to recruit another student to take forward the Blyth Spartans TV channel.

Media Manager Phil Castiaux also paid tribute to the University for the quality of students they have to offer.

He said: "I'd like to think our special relationship with the University is of mutual benefit. The students who have worked with us have been extremely talented and committed; helping to ensure our media output is of a high quality. The Club has clearly benefited while the students themselves have experienced a range of real life media issues and roles."