A LEADING light in the development of women’s rugby in the North East has developed a piece of hi-tech wizardry to help budding athletes of any sport reach the highest levels.
England Rugby Pathway Manager for Durham County Women and Girls and committee member Francesca Johnson-Harding came up with the idea of an app that will put the sports stars of the future in touch with the best coaches.
Inspire IDP helps athletes involved in all sports track their training by uploading data and video which can be used by coaches to hone their techniques and performance.
The idea was formed as a means to show off the potential of 14-16-year-old girls in Durham as they endeavoured to progress along the pathway to England rugby.
Since then, with a grant from Durham Business Growth and working with North East Digital, the app has developed into a means for athletes of any sport to grow their potential.
“It’s a way to get young people to think about how they develop themselves and to own the process,” said Cesca. “Youngsters today like other people to do everything for them and this is a way for them to become more independent.
“There was nothing digital out there to create an individual development plan of their own and this app allows them to track what they are doing, whether that’s in the gym, on the track or playing fields.
“They can then link with multiple coaches and receive feedback on their technique via the app. It also creates them a CV and means the region won’t lose athletes to other areas to train.”
The individual development plan app monitors every aspect of sports development. The information can then be viewed online by coaches, mentors of strength and conditioning and nutrition, and physios helping the athletes work through issues they won’t be able to solve themselves.
Free on the App Store, it replaces long-winded, traditional pen and paper methods which young athletes struggle to manage. It is being trialled currently by Gateshead College and Houghton Rugby Club.
“It is so generic it can be used with any sport,” said Cesca. “I just want to get it out there to as many athletes as possible to help them develop.
“I could never understand why IDPs were always written on paper. Youngsters had to write everything down and give it to their coaches. When it was pouring with rain it got soaking wet and dog-eared. So I thought, in an age where everything is digital, why don’t they capture everything they are doing digitally, which they can share with their coach, especially video of them performing? No paper, no coffee stains, never ‘eaten by the dog’, and it’s no different to texting a friend and no longer feels like homework.
“They might be dyslexic or have ADHD but they can all still use their phones. They can even use voice notes if they don’t want to key it in which takes just seconds and stops them switching off.
“It’s also instant. The IDP notifications come through with the feedback within minutes so the athletes develop faster.”
Cesca also helps youngsters with a supported athletes scheme offering financial help for kit and travel costs, even access to sports psychologists and nutritionists.
“All my life I have loved sport – my gran was on the local sports committee and left a legacy – so I grew up in that sort of environment,” she said.
“I am responsible for the pathway of girls in Durham from age 14 upwards and am running a pilot scheme in the North for the U23 women’s game.”
The app is available to download free on Apple Store and Google Play and also via www.InspireIDP.co.uk.