PEP Talks
A ‘pep talk’ – a talk which is intended to encourage people to work harder or to win a game of competition. Cambridge Dictionary
It is an outdated and inaccurate notion to think that competition is purely a contest of physical prowess between individuals or teams. Commentators will often talk about the size and the weight of the ‘pack’ in rugby, but often the lighter pack will prevail and succeed. How does this happen? We have to think beyond the realms of physicality and consider the other contributing factors to performance. Who can cope with the pressure of the moment? Who has the technical advantage?
Over the past 50 years, the application of scientific and psychological principles to the specific contexts of sport has become a fundamental and integral part of sporting performance.
Not to be underrated nor underestimated, elite coaching teams across the globe are investing in the latest advances in science, technology, and expertise to make marginal differences with their performers.
In the early 2000’s a new concept was formalised which highlighted the significance of looking at all aspects of performance. Former Performance Director of British Cycling , Sir David Brailsford CBE referred to it as the ‘aggregation of marginal gains.’ He explained this to his performers as the ‘1 percent margin for improvement in all you do’.
The PEP talk programme is designed to educate our pupils; to provide a more holistic understanding of performance and the factors that contribute to their development. By providing this knowledge, we hope that pupils will be inspired to further their understanding; to seek out more detail, to read articles, to listen to podcasts, to investigate methods that work for them, to discuss further with their coaches, with parents and to ultimately cultivate an enhanced level of interest and investment in their own development as sporting performers. Over the academic year pupils will be invited to ‘Pep talk’ sessions on a wide range of topics such as nutrition, strength and conditioning, injury prevention, goal setting, and athlete lifestyle. These talks will bring together pupils with a shared interest, seeking to build positive relationships, and educating pupils within an environment of mutual respect and support across the sports
We all need a ‘Pep talk’ from time to time and I hope this programme encourages and inspires our pupils. These sessions are entirely voluntary; Sports Scholars are expected to attend as part of their personal growth as aspiring and ambitious performers but they are available for any pupil who has a motivation for self-development within the World of Sport.
