‘What it is like to be a professional athlete, and their experiences of sport at school

Who Am I?

• Keon Richardson, aged 19• Performance player for University of Bath

Futsal Club• Originally from North London• Parents from the Caribbean• Passionate footballer

Experiences of sport at school• Played for three different clubs across five teams.• Played for school team(Greig City Academy) in Year 11, not first choice until end

of the season.• Played for Supreme Athletic FC (Men’s football club from the age of 16), London

Men’s Junior Cup Runners Up, played in Middlesex County Football League Division 1.

• Represented County; London FA U18s and Mens’.• Played against Kent FA U18s, Amateur FA U18s, Sussex FA, Army FA, Royal Navy

FA, Amateur FA (All Mens’)• Played for my sixth form was put in the second team and worked up to the first

team: Blackpool International Cup; top goalscorer for U19s age group, runners up and Glasgow Youth International Football Tournament.

• Missed trial for University of Bath Football Club• Successful trial for University of Bath Futsal Club.

Weekly Training Programme

• Monday – Hydrotherapy 9:30am - 10:00am• Tuesday – Training (Attacking Session) 7:30am – 9am• Wednesday – Individual Gym work• Thursday - Training (Defending Session) 7:30am –

9am• Friday – Training (Technical/Game Scenario) 7:30am

– 9am• Saturday – Rest Day• Sunday – Match (Kick off times vary)

Weekly Lectures

• Monday – One lecture 11:15am – 1:15pm• Tuesday – One lecture 11:15am – 1:15pm• Wednesday – No Lectures• Thursday – Study skills session (optional)

9:15am to 11:15am and One lecture 4:15pm – 6:15pm

• Friday – Two lectures 9:15am – 11:15am and 2:15pm – 4:15pm

Health and fitness• Futsal (Intense 40 mins match, intense 90 mins x 3) = Larges amount of energy required• Energy comes from Carbohydrates (Complex and Simple Carbohydates)• Strict Diet• Fruits – Blueberries, Grapes, Bananas, Pineapples, Mango, Oranges• Vegetables – Broccoli, Yam, Plantain, Carrots, Bell Peppers, Onions, Corn, Spring Onions,

Sweet Potato• Complex Carbohydrates - Weetabix, Yam, Plantain, Rice, Wholegrain Pasta, Wholegrain

Bread• Fish – Tuna (Brain food, growth)• Simple Carbohydrates – Jelly babies, sweets• Protein – Chicken, egg, beef, Mince • Protein Shakes• Chocolate Milshake• Bluberry Youghurt • Milk• Water• Minimal alchocol/beer

Breakfast

• Pre match/training meal• Mixture of complex and simple carbs• Weetabix, Wholegrain Toast with butter

(breakfast 3 hours prior to kick off)• Yoghurt• 30mins to 1 hour prior to game, jelly babies

Post Match• Carbohydrates (energy) and Protein (repairs/grows muscles)• Lucozade Energy (during and after match) – replace electrolytes

lost through sweat. Carbs which replace nutrients/keep hydrated.• Chocolate Milshake – Lots of carbohydrates and protein to repair

body, muscle and restore energy• Blueberry Youghurt – Triples recovery rate after match (also

improves digestion/immune system)• Pineapple – High in Vitamin C, repairs tissues/restores energy.

Heals bruises/pains/swelling• Pasta & Tuna/Rice & Chicken – High in carbohydrates and protein

Future Aspirations