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Kate Humphrey
Programme Leader for Sport
Academic background/biography:
Kate completed her BA (Hons) in Physical Education at Edge Hill University and her PGCE in Physical Education at Manchester Metropolitan University. Kate is actively involved in the sports industry both as a player and as a coach. Kate plays Hockey for Crewe Vagrants Hockey Clubs first team and in her spare time coaches their development teams.
Research Interests
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Sports Psychology
Rich Brooke
Lecturer/Sport Performance Course Manager
Academic background/biography:
Rich completed BSc (Hons) in Exercise, Sport and Coaching Science at Manchester Metropolitan University, and MSc in Sports Science with Strength and Conditioning at University of Chester. Richard also completed his PGCE with QTS at Birmingham City University. Rich has several training qualifications including Level 1 British Weightlifting coach; UKSCA Level 2 Weightlifting; Rugby Ready; Active IQ Level 2 Gym Instructor. Rich has a lifelong passion for sport, in particular for performance and fitness-based exercise including strength and conditioning, resistance training and endurance activities (cycling and running). Rich enjoys working with athletes from a range of sporting backgrounds, assisting them with training programmes and nutritional plans to help them meet their goals.
Research Interests:
- Strength and Conditioning.
- Nutritional approaches to improving athletic performance.
Hobbies/interests:
As a father of two young children I understand the importance of work-life balance and enjoy weekends keeping fit with the family via road cycling, running, swimming, paddle-boarding and mountain-biking often with a camping trip and a BBQ included in the mix.
Lesia Strilecki
Lecturer and Course Manager
Academic background/biography:
Lesia completed BA (Hons) Criminology Degree at Lancaster University and MSc Clinical Criminology at Leicester University, Criminology is her main passion. Lesia has taught Public Services, Applied Science and Higher Education courses in Criminology and Psychology.
Research Interests:
- Drugs especially classification and illegality of illicit drugs.
- Serious organised crime
Hobbies/interests:
Lesia played professional Ten Pin Bowling for England and loves going to trampolining gym classes, she also loves to read and swim and have an occasional relaxing Spa Day!
Simon Cushman
Lecturer and Course Manager
Academic background/biography:
Simon attended the University of Chester for Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees in Sport and Exercise Science between 2006 and 2012, as well as completing a PGCert in teaching and learning in HE in 2018. Simon worked at the University of Chester for 4 years as a Lab Technician and Lecturer, before starting to work at Reaseheath College and UCR. Simon has his own sport science support business, specialising in strength and conditioning support for athletes, personal training for the general population and supporting sport training camps mainly for British Dressage youth academy and team sports.
Research Interests:
- Training load management and injury.
- Physiology and physiological demands of Equine rider performance.
- Progressive overload and physiological adaptations for athlete.
- Force velocity profiling in team invasion sports.
Publications:
Cushman, S., Bott, R., Highton, J. & Twists, C. (2018). Inter-day reliability of a Wattbike cycle ergometer sprint protocol in male rugby players. Journal of Trainology. 7(1). 1-4.
Moss, S., Enright, K. & Cushman, S. (2018) The influence of music genre on explosive power, repetitions to failure and mood responses during resistance exercise. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 37. 128-138.
Dobbin, N., Clarke, J. & Cushman, S. (2020) The effects of an 8-week off-season period on the mechanical properties of sprinting in professional rugby league players: implications for training considerations. Journal of Trainology. 9 (1). 15-18.
Dobbin, N., Cushman, S., Clarke, J., Batsford, J. & Twist, C. (2021). Differences in the vertical and horizontal force-velocity profile between academy and senior professional rugby league players, and the implications for strength and speed training. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness.
Cushman, S. & Harper, E. (2018) The Force Characteristics of youth swimmers. UKSCA conference 2018.
Hobbies/interests:
Simon enjoys training in the gym, cooking and nutrition. Simon used to play rugby, but since repeatedly dislocating his shoulder has hung up his boots. Simon spends most of his free time on his business and keeping up with his little boy.
University Centre Reaseheath – Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF
Tel: 01270 613284 | Email: UCR@reaseheath.ac.uk
