Heybridge Swifts appoint a fitness coach (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Heybridge Swifts appoint a fitness coach

4:43pm Thursday 28th June 2012 in Countywide

HEYBRIDGE Swifts hope to steal a march on their rivals by appointing the club’s first fitness coach.

Matt Brinkley will take on the role and work with the club’s players throughout pre-season and the new campaign.

The 24-year-old is a registered level three advanced fitness coach and sports performance nutrition coach.

“Although we’re a non-league team, we try and do things as professionally as possible,” said Swifts boss Mark Hawkes.

“Matt’s appointment will really help us in that respect.

“He’s the club’s first fitness coach and, as far as I know, not many other teams in our division have got one.

“He’ll help us in terms of getting the players in peak condition during the summer and he’ll also be with us next season, leading things like warm-ups and warm-downs.

“It’s so important and hopefully, by doing things properly, it will help prevent unnecessary injuries.

“We’ve always been a fit side but having the help of someone who works in this field day in, day out can only be advantageous.

“Our club is getting stronger and stronger and appointments like this are helping people on the outside see that.”

Brinkley has six years’ experience as a personal trainer.

In that time he has worked with a variety of high-profile sportsmen and woman, including British Olympians and golfer Ian Woosnam.

“It’s the first time he’s worked at a football club, so we can help each other out,” added Hawkes.

“Hopefully he’ll enjoy and learn from the experience and we get the benefit of his knowledge and wisdom.”

Swifts begin their Ryman League division one north campaign on August 18 but before that they have friendlies against Colchester United, Billericay Town, Bishop’s Stortford, Wivenhoe Town, Felixstowe and Walton, Dagenham & Redbridge and Canvey Island.

Meanwhile, Hawkes is very close to making a new signing, with the deal likely to be completed next week.

“He’s agreed in principle to join and it should be a formality,” he said.

Hawkes also confirmed that Wivenhoe Town right-back TJ Amass is one of the players joining the club for pre-season training, which starts tomorrow.

“He comes with a big pedigree,” he said.

“If he impresses in training, there’s a big possibility he’ll sign.”

Comments are closed on this article.