Training
Parents' information evening
A free hour once a term at the unit for parents and carers: growth spurts, training load, sleep, food and how we keep young athletes safe.
Free, once a term, an hour at the unit: growth, training load, sleep, food and safeguarding
Parents of young athletes get a lot of advice, much of it contradictory. Once a term we spend an hour on what the evidence says, what we do and why, and answer whatever you ask.
The evening covers growth and maturation (why two fourteen-year-olds can be four years apart physically), training load across school, club and our sessions, sleep, eating enough for growth and training, and the warning signs of doing too much.
Ffion, our welfare officer, explains how safeguarding works at Next Level, who to speak to about a concern, and how we handle photos, video and messages with athletes.
We do not give individual medical or dietary advice. For a specific concern about your child's health, eating or growth, please speak to your GP, and we are glad to work alongside them.
What is included
- An hour on a weekday evening, once a term
- Growth, load, sleep and food
- How our safeguarding works, from the welfare officer
- Questions answered, tea provided
- Slides emailed afterwards
What it costs
Free. Book a seat so we know how many chairs to put out. The programme finder shows the right group for an age and sport, and our safeguarding page explains how we keep young athletes safe.
Questions about parents' evening
Do I need to be a parent of a current athlete?
No. Anyone thinking about joining is welcome.
Can my child come?
Athletes over fourteen are welcome with a parent.
Will you advise on supplements?
No. We do not recommend supplements for young athletes; food first, and your GP for anything else.
Book a free taster session.
A parent or carer books, tells us the athlete's age, sport and any health needs, and Owen or Ffion replies within a working day with a taster in the right group. Under-13s have a parent on site for the first session.