Mentoring and Coach Education

“Having been mentored by Nick Grantham whilst on the UK Sport Fast Track Practitioner programme in 2006-2007 I can definitely say that working with Nick is a great way to start, develop and enhance a career as an S&C Coach. I joined the EIS on an internship as a very green MSc level graduate and through working with Nick I quickly realised I was a long way off where I need to be. As part of the process Nick and I developed a 12 month work programme around the areas where I was weak and needed to improve, this was regularly reviewed to ensure progress was being made in all areas. Throughout this programme challenges and opportunities were created in order to enhance my learning – ranging from visits to other practitioners through Nicks extensive network (not just sport based) or more ‘in-house’ based presentations regarding my coaching and knowledge.

From my internship I won ‘Intern of the Year’ and progressed to a full time position with the English Institute of Sport. I am still working with the EIS and recently moved to the position of Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach with the GB Boxing squad preparing their athletes for Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic level competitions. Right the way through this period of development Nick has continued as a mentor figure in my career and is always available as a sounding board for new ideas and CPD events.

I would thoroughly recommend being involved in any mentorship programme being run by Nick Grantham as in my opinion it is one of the best ways to take your coaching and knowledge to the next level.”

Ian Pyper (Strength and Conditioning Coach – English Institute of Sport)

"I have developed as a coach under the guidance of Nick Grantham and he has helped me to develop my knowledge in a number of different areas such as; programme design, and the application of appropriate strength and power exercises. I’ve also been given the opportunity to gets some hands on coaching with and overall I feel that through working with Nick I have learned how to apply my theoretical knowledge -of physiology and biomechanics- to practical training and real situations. Nick was very helpful throughout my time with him and was always happy to answer any questions I had and to help me when necessary."

Philip Bell (2nd Year Intern, Northumbria University)

"I consider Nick Grantham a ‘conditioning gem’ on the other side of the pond. In terms of progressive, effective, efficient training, Nick Grantham is on the top of the game. He is at the top of the food chain when it comes to staying on top of innovative training, something many conditioning specialists fail to do."

Robert dos Remedios, MA, CSCS, SCCC
2006 NSCA Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coach of the year
Director of Speed, Strength & Conditioning
College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, CA USA

"Nick’s ability to constantly display high levels of self- motivation had a huge effect on my outlook on how a personal contribution can have such a positive influence on others. Working alongside Nick has developed my ability to quickly change between different coaching styles and vary coaching cues to maximise results. Through the tasks that Nick set during my placement, I am fortunate enough to have a wide variety of resources that will be invaluable throughout my career. I look forward to keeping in close contact with Nick throughout my career development."

Richard Holmes (2nd Year Intern, Northumbria University)

"Whilst working as the PGMOL Head of Sport Science, I approached Nick to deliver a range of practical sessions on various aspects of strength and conditioning that all the referees could introduce into their training regimes, along with some advice on aiding the referees’ recovery in between games. The sessions that Nick delivered to the Select Group referees were very well received by all due to his excellent presentation skills, his ability to link the theory with the practice in a sport-specific context and also his capacity to coach and communicate new training techniques to a new audience."

Matthew Weston (Former PGMOL Head of Sports Science)

"I began studying an exercise science degree with no real idea where it would take me. By chance I took up a personal development modulle that introduced me to Nick and having seen the passion, knowledge and no B.S. approach he brings to his job I knew this was a guy I could learn from. At the start of my time interning with Nick I could barley tell my isotonic contractions from isotonic sport drinks, fast forward a year and with Nicks help I’ve become a certified coach through two of the world’s leading S&C organisations and I’m in the process of completing my MSc in strength and conditioning. This would not have been possible without the guidance of a real world coach, who knows how to get results. Thanks Nick."

Scott Pollock BSc (Hons) CSCS

"I just wanted to express my thanks and gratitude to you for the internship. I think I speak on behalf of all the guys that it was a massive help and we learned so much in a short period of time. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable 12 weeks and I have a much more of a three dimensional perspective of S&C.".

Sam Urwin

"Firstly I want to thank you for the course you presented at Arrowe Park hospital. I found it extremely informative, useful and above all else a wake up call for me with regards my rehab ideas. I have already started changing my practise. It must have been daunting speaking to a load of physio’s but you came across very well. All the very best for the future with all your projects/business etc."

Stewart Langford (Physiotherapist)

“I have always been passionately fond of sport and chose to study sports science for my first degree. Here I developed an interest in strength and conditioning but was not sure how to progress in this field. As soon as I began working with Nick he gained my full interest and attention. His mentor programme was different from anything that I had previously encountered. He is able to combine academic knowledge and practical application making personal development easy and enjoyable. His mentoring technique bridges the gap between academic studies and the working environment. Nick has been an inspiration to me as I look forward to starting a career in strength and conditioning. I will always be grateful to him for the way in which he developed my professional and personal skills and for his unfailing help and encouragement.”

James Hairsine (Strength and Conditioning Coach)

“During the last several years Nick has made an invaluable contribution to my third year undergraduate Sports Science Support module in delivering a three hour session on’ Interdisciplinary Aspects’ drawing on his extensive experience working in high performance sport. Student feedback on these sessions was exceptionally positive. It has been my privilege to monitor Nick’s outstanding progress from his undergraduate degree through his MSc programme of studies to his current position.”

Dave Kellett (Former Senior Lecturer – University of Chester)

“Nick has a great way with the people he works with, whether it’s a professional athlete, private client or colleague – Nick will always make every effort to invest his time in those he works with to help them achieve their goals. He’s a great coach, manager and mentor.”

Peter Elliot (MBE) (Regional Manager EIS Yorkshire)

Matthew Weston (Former PGMOL Head of Sports Science)