Pre-season training

The Carwyn James Building, home to the Department of Sport and Exercise Science

Monday 18 August, 2008
Aberystwyth University hosts the Llanelli Scarlets

The Llanelli Scarlets rugby squad pre-season training camp is at Aberystwyth University this week (17 – 21 August).

During the five day visit Scarlets squad members will have full use of the University's excellent gym and swimming facilities on the Penglais campus, and the unrivalled University playing fields at Blaendolau.

Players, coaching staff and team managers will also have at their disposal facilities at the University's Department of Sports and Exercise Science which is based at the appropriately named Carwyn James Building. These include 10 specialist laboratories for teaching and research and an environmental chamber which enables athletes to train in hot, cold or humid conditions.

Professor David Lavallee, Head of Sports and Exercise Science at Aberystwyth and a world authority on the psychology of sport said:
“We are very pleased that the Llanelli Scarlets have selected Aberystwyth University as the venue for their pre-season training camp. We have some of the best training facilities in Wales here at Aberystwyth which should provide the ideal environment for the squad as they prepare for the new season.”

In a separate development plans are being finalised for two students on the BSc Sports and Exercise Science degree programme at Aberystwyth to work with the Llanelli Scarlets, providing sports science support over the coming the season.

Professor Lavallee explained:
“The Scarlets wanted to provide work experience for our students. As a result we hope that two 2nd or 3rd year students will be combining their studies here at Aberystwyth with sessions working with the team at their exciting new stadium, Parc y Scarlets.

“This provides an excellent opportunity for students to put what they learn during lectures into practice, whilst working with professional athletes as they deal with the rigours of regular competition at the highest level,” he added.

Since it was launched in 2002 the Department of Sports and Exercise Science Degree at Aberystwyth has built an enviable reputation for the quality of teaching and research. Based in the purpose built Carwyn Jones Building, its BSc Sports and Exercise Science degree provides a thorough academic grounding in sport psychology, physiology and biomechanics. 

The recent announcement that Aberystwyth University is to be the base for the Wales Branch of The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), the professional body for sport and exercise sciences in the UK, underlines its growing reputation. The University has also been chosen to host the BASES Student Conference in 2010.

The Llanelli Scarlets will be available for pictures, autographs and questions at Aberystwyth University’s Blaendolau playing fields on Thursday 21st August from 10.15am – 11.15am.

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