Halo backs 250 young Suffolk athletes through new support scheme

Why it matters: The sponsorship is intended to give young athletes access to specialist support that Halo says "can often be difficult" for them to reach, spanning several areas of physical and mental development.

The details: The programme was launched at Portman Road with young athletes and their families in attendance.

• Participants are drawn from Ipswich Town Foundation, Ipswich Girls Academy and several Ipswich high schools.
• They will have access to expertise across strength and conditioning, nutrition, mental skills, sports science and wellbeing.
• The programme is led by Nino Severino, whose coaching career has included roles with Ipswich Town FC, British tennis and at Olympic level.
• Hub Sport describes itself as bringing together specialists from professional football and performance sport to create an "online backroom team" around each athlete.

What they're saying: Paul Hamilton, founder and chief executive of Halo, said: "We care a lot about creating opportunities for young people, particularly here in Suffolk. There is so much talent in the area, and access to specialist support can make a real difference to how young athletes develop.

"We're really pleased to be supporting Hub Sport and the work Nino and the team are doing with Ipswich Town Foundation, Ipswich Girls Academy and local schools. We're looking forward to seeing the programme take shape and, most importantly, what the young people involved get from it."

Nino Severino, founder of Hub Sport, said: "Halo's support means 250 young athletes can access a comprehensive performance programme and a team of specialists around them.

"Our aim is to act as an accessible backroom team for these young people, helping them understand physical preparation, nutrition, mental skills, sports science and wellbeing, and how each can support their development both in sport and beyond it.

"We're hugely grateful to Halo for backing the programme and sharing our belief in creating better opportunities for young athletes. We believe this is the first programme of its kind anywhere in the world, and we can't wait to see what these talented young people achieve with the right support around them."

For context: Halo says the programme will complement support already provided by Ipswich Town Foundation, Ipswich Girls Academy and participating schools, helping young people build their understanding of performance, wellbeing and the habits that can support them throughout their sporting journeys.

The bottom line: Halo's backing of Hub Sport will give 250 young athletes across Ipswich access to a wider team of specialists, as the programme gets under way at Portman Road.

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