A unique, state-of-the-art sports facility has been officially launched at Sunderland College by respected strength and conditioning coach Martin Nugent.

Martin Nugent Elite Performance is now open at Sunderland College’s Bede Campus on Durham Road, alongside the College’s multi-million pound Sports Academy.

This impressive facility, in partnership with Sunderland College, provides elite strength and conditioning training with bespoke equipment and the latest screening technology. Sports students at the College will be able to use the gym and access coaching by NSCA accredited coaches. It will also be open to elite athletes and the general public.

Martin said: “It’s an extremely exciting time for both Martin Nugent Elite Performance and Sunderland College with the opening of this unique facility. It is one of only a handful of elite performance facilities in the North.

“Sport Development Centre students and staff at Sunderland College will have access to our facility, for both athletic development and education. They will also have the opportunity to work alongside some of the UK’s best young talented athletes.

“My team of coaches have extensive experience working in professional sport, using world-class facilities, alongside some of the lead names in strength and conditioning. We are looking forward to developing our partnership with Sunderland College and to grow elite level sport.”

The majority of equipment has been custom-built and imported from America in order to reflect an American-style sports university gym.

John Rushworth, Faculty Director for Sports, Health and Wellbeing at Sunderland College, said: “This is an exciting and innovate partnership between Sunderland College and Martin Nugent Elite Performance, creating an elite strength and conditioning facility through Martin Nugent and his superb team of industry experts.

“We are delighted to have Martin and his team based at our Bede Campus and supporting our Sports Development Centre students.  Our men’s and women’s Football Development Centre players have already spent pre-season working with Martin, benefitting from both the world-class facilities and expert strength and conditioning coaching.”

Special guests at the official opening, which took place last week, included female rugby player Tamara Taylor, who captained England in the 2015 Women’s Six Nations Championship, and professional footballer Freddie Woodman, goalkeeper for Newcastle United.  Freddie said:

“Working with Martin has taken my game to another level. The environment he has created is unbelievable. You turn up to an incredible performance centre with the intention to improve with the help of unique coaching.”

If you have a talent for sport and want to combine elite level coaching with academic excellence at Sunderland College contact 0191 511 6000. For further information about Martin Nugent Elite Performance contact the team via Facebook, 07903 603042 or visit www.mneliteperformance.co.uk