Jesscia Ennis-Hill's coach gives talk to Sheffield Hallam students

The coach behind Olympic champion, Jessica Ennis-Hill, has spoken to Sheffield Hallam University students about how he's coaching the athlete after birth of her son.
Great Britain's Jessica Ennis-Hill celebrates after winning gold in the Women's Heptathlon after winning the 800m, during day two of the IAAF World Championships at the Beijing National Stadium, China.  Photo credit:  Martin Rickett/PA Wire.Great Britain's Jessica Ennis-Hill celebrates after winning gold in the Women's Heptathlon after winning the 800m, during day two of the IAAF World Championships at the Beijing National Stadium, China.  Photo credit:  Martin Rickett/PA Wire.
Great Britain's Jessica Ennis-Hill celebrates after winning gold in the Women's Heptathlon after winning the 800m, during day two of the IAAF World Championships at the Beijing National Stadium, China. Photo credit: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

Toni Minichello spoke to Sports Development and Coaching students about how he is hoping the 2015 World Champion heptathlete achieve a podium position at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio.

“When Reggie was born, we had 108 weeks until the Olympic Games,” he told students during the University’s 10th annual Academy of Sport and Physical Activity Student Conference.

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“My plan is not necessarily aimed at winning, I am aiming for is another medal, no matter what colour it is.”

Toni told students his two-year training plan had to allow time for Jessica’s abdominal muscles to return to normal and take into consideration the sleep deprivation that comes with a new born.

Toni, who is currently studying an MSc in Advanced Sport Coaching Practice said: “Sleep deprivation affects tendon health and the body’s ability to repair muscle damage so I had to factor that into my plan.

“There is no handbook on how to do this right. A lot of people tend to follow one model when what you actually need is a number of different tools in the box. You need to establish the critical issues and look at how to solve each one of them. You’ve really got to pinpoint the nub of the problem and work from there.”