Thames Valley: New centre for human performance, exercise and wellbeing planned for Bucks New University

Buckinghamshire New University has announced plans to open a human performance, exercise and wellbeing centre which will bring together the University’s existing health and sports provision as well as host new undergraduate programmes which are actively recruiting students for September 2015.

The multi-million-pound centre which will lead in premium sports and exercise science will house a state-of-the-art sports injury and physiotherapy clinic at which members of the public can arrange appointments for competitively-priced treatments. Other cutting-edge facilities will include an integrated human performance laboratory and three-lane running track with motion-capture technology.

Another highlight will be Olympic weightlifting equipment to enhance teaching and research in strength and conditioning. This is likely to be of interest to coaches of high-performance athletes and teams within the area.

In addition to the University’s BSc (Hons) in sport and exercise science, a new MSci in sports therapy is being offered which will be accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists. There is also a foundation degree in sport, exercise and health and BA (Hons) exercise, health, and fitness management.

Dr Alison Chambers, pro vice chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University’s faculty of society and health, said: “We are really excited about establishing our human performance, exercise and wellbeing centre which has an innovative academic portfolio and integrates teaching, research and enterprise.

“The new Bucks sports injury and physiotherapy clinic will initially be operated by qualified practitioners to support and supervise students as they build their skills and knowledge base.

“The clinic will also offer other employability opportunities including student work placements, research and professional consultancy services for sport, fitness and health care providers.”

After qualifying, graduating students will be able to secure their own facility within the clinic to work with and develop their own client base which will provide an invaluable opportunity to gain work experience in their first year.

Sport, exercise and wellbeing are key aspects of the Government’s focus, reflecting the fact that future generations will require a workforce that is knowledgeable and skilled to drive the fundamental importance of sport, exercise and physical activity for healthier and happier lives.

More recently, the magnitude and scale of the implications of failing to address this agenda has come under increasing scrutiny.

The 2012 London Olympic Games legacy is also a government priority to ensure that there is a lasting economic, social and cultural benefit that will positively affect the whole of the UK.

Ian Barham, manager of the Bucks legacy programme, said: “Spanning the spectrum of human performance, the new centre at Bucks New University will provide premium sports providers and sportspeople with a world-class sports science facility to develop talent, as well as support the community within Buckinghamshire to improve health and wellbeing.

"We are hugely encouraged that the aim of the centre is so closely aligned with the work of Bucks legacy in helping support the health of the whole community, and in particular looking at ways in which disabled people can be supported in developing and maintaining physical and mental health here in the birthplace of the Paralympic movement. The centre will provide an excellent vehicle to support regional stakeholders as well as achieve positive health legacy impacts from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

In addition to creating a critical mass of expertise and resources, the centre will lead on the development of new academic areas such as sports therapy, strength and conditioning and a suite of foundation degrees linked to professional body qualifications such as those needed for sports massage and health trainer status.

Kevin Brooks, head coach to Wycombe District Swim Club and part of the Team GB’s London 2012 Olympic coaching team, said: “Wycombe District Swimming Club really welcomes the opportunities that will exist at the new centre and the links being established between the club and the University. The Olympic platforms, testing and sports science support will certainly benefit our up and coming performance athletes, particularly as we get ready for our new state-of-the-art Olympic pool which is being built at the top of the hill in Wycombe.”

The location of the University and the proximity of Bisham Abbey (National Sports Centre) and Buckinghamshire NHS Health Care Trust (home to Stoke Mandeville’s National Centre of Spinal Injuries) provide a unique opportunity to develop an academic specialty around Paralympic and disability sport.

A new range of postgraduate programmes to encompass sport, exercise and wellbeing has been identified alongside a number of existing programmes which will be reviewed and potentially upgraded.

Students applying to study the new sport, exercise and wellbeing courses in September 2015 should refer to the UCAS website.