Nutrition is such a key aspect to anyone’s diet and it is something that we must start appreciating from an early age. For that reason I am very happy to have been given the opportunity to write a blog for the junior rugby players out there to try to guide them into making healthy choices not only now, but also throughout their lives.
Before I go on to tell you more, I think it would be a good idea to introduce myself and tell you a bit about my background. I studied at Loughborough University where I undertook both my undergraduate and master’s degrees. Throughout my time there I worked with a variety of sports enthusiasts who were keen to utilise effective nutrition to its fullest potential in order to improve health and of course sports performance.
I have worked with Loughborough University’s Triathlon team, Wreake running club, GB junior rowing camp, the West Midlands Regional Academy Triatletes and Absolute Triathlon to name a few. The work I have done has varied from broad educational nutrition talks to private sessions with the athletes. I have also led various nutrition centred workshops with children aged 11-16 years and written various articles, for example in “Cycling plus magazine”.
From university I have gone on to work in the nutrition industry as well as continuing my work with athletes. I have been given the opportunity to work with Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club as their nutrition advisor where I work with the athletes on both a private and group basis in order to help them achieve body composition goals and performance improvements.
Rugby is such a dynamic sport that emphasises stress on all of the energy systems, from sprint work to endurance, and so it is very important to undertake the correct approach to nutrition.
![sophie 1](https://s3635.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/sophie-11-e1337720169385.jpg)
Sophie Enever, FRN's New Youth Nutrition Expert
So that’s me! Now I will tell you more about what my nutrition beliefs are and how I think I can help you. As cliché as it sounds I believe that a great diet is a balanced diet – a plate that is full of colour and nutrients is what we should aim for. Every nutrient has a role in the body so why not make the most of it!
I also believe that nutrition and food can help us achieve many things, whether it is performance related, body composition goals or generally just feeling good. And this is where I come in. I want to help you get the most out of the food and drink you fuel your body with.
In sport the support team plays a crucial role in the success of a team and of individuals within that team, and so it is vital to have all of those support systems in place. Nutrition is a vital aspect of any support system, and I want to make this accessible to all (without having to empty your wallets!).
I want to be able to help you achieve your goals – whether it is getting as lean as a winger to enable you to speed through to the try line or to get stronger in order to block the opposition – I am here to help.
Of course I will be answering those common questions such as “when should I eat before a match” or “what should I eat after training”, however I am here to tackle (pardon the pun) your specific nutrition queries –so please let me know what they are and I will do my best to dedicate a blog to them.
Over to you! Please email info@findrugbynow.com with “Ask Sophie” in the subject for all of your nutrition questions.