Essex motivating athletes for bucs, national and global success

A Decade of Performance Sport

Justin Mills has worked at The University of Essex with the Performance Sport Programme since it began in 2013. He collaborates with athletes representing the University in the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS), Essex Rebels teams competing in national leagues and individuals competing on a global scale for their country.

“Seeing motivated athletes work hard in the gym, transferring that to court performances and ultimately finding success is very rewarding.”

Dedicated to Improve Performance

The growth of performance sport, expansion of the team and investment in facilities reinforces Essex’s commitment to student-athletes. With on-court training in Essex Sport Arena, collaboration with the School of Sport Rehab and Exercise Science and Human Performance Unit, athlete capabilities are measured using cutting-edge technology. 

Jake Allen joins as Strength and Conditioning Assistant and Emily Simpson as Sport Performance Analyst. Together with Justin, their efforts help athletes;

• improve sporting performance
• stay healthy and injury free
• maximise how much they get to play and train
• upgrade every aspect of their physical capabilities

Leading Strength and Conditioning

As Strength and Conditioning Coach, Justin steers off-court work outs. Rehabilitation and monitoring athletes within the focus sport programmes ensures they are at peak physical fitness.

“It all starts pre-season, when athletes are put through both lab and court based tests to determine their strengths and weaknesses. The data collected is compared to norms developed from previous years of testing, as well as published research. Collaborating with coaches we design a training schedule in harmony with sport practices and deliver bespoke coaching sessions pushing athletes to reach their potential.”

With such a busy in season schedule the key is balancing driving athletes to chase physical adaptations and monitoring fatigue whilst keeping them fresh enough to perform to the highest level.  Using a multi-disciplinary approach, staff, athletes and coaches inform decision making. Sights are set high, with aims to win BUCS and National League competitions.

Support beyond the gym

Justin has used his role to support others within the realm of sports;

• managing placement opportunities for students who are looking for work-based learning in SRES
• -offering opportunities in sport science
• performance analysis
• sports therapy
• strength and conditioning

A Man in Demand

More recently, Justin has taken on management responsibilities of staff working in Sport England’s Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) talent pathway, delivering support to talented athletes in the Essex region.  For the last 3 years he has managed staff working in Ipswich Town FC Women’s Super League Academy.