Peak Performance
A series of performance and wellbeing seminars, hosted by Coleg Llandrillo.
Join us for an exclusive opportunity to hear from distinguished guest speakers who have achieved peak performance in their respective fields, both nationally and across the UK.
We will be holding five seminars over 2025, each will cost £5 or £20 for all five.
Open to students and the public.
February:
Sam Downey/Steve Kehoe - Lecturer of Sport Coaching and Exercise Science
Mental Fatigue in Sport
Coleg Llandrillo - University Centre, Rhos-on-Sea Campus: Thursday 13 February, 6pm
Sam Downey:
A graduate of Loughborough University, Sam is currently a Lecturer of Sport Coaching and Exercise Science.
A former professional football player, playing in the English, Swedish, Icelandic and American leagues, Sam is currently the Performance Coach for the FAW men’s age groups, most recently attending the 2024 Men’s U17 European Championships in Cyprus.
He is currently undertaking a PhD in Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Birmingham, with his current thesis and research focusing on the effects of Mental Fatigue and Brain Endurance Training in Soccer Performance.
Steve Kehoe:
Programme Leader of the BSc Sport Science (Sports Coaching) with over a decade of experience lecturing in higher education on various topics across the sector.
Steve completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Rio Grande in the United States of America after being selected for a soccer scholarship, progressing to play and coach within professional sporting teams.
He returned home to complete his Masters Degree in Applied Sport & Exercise Physiology at Bangor University, publishing his MSc dissertation (Influence of fluid intake in a temperate environment).
Research interests include fatigue, performance in the heat, coach-athlete relationship and recovery modalities for athletes.
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March:
Neil Cottrill - Head of Coaching and Development, PGMOL
Decision Making Under Pressure in Sport: Supporting the Wellbeing of Match Officials
Coleg Llandrillo - University Centre, Rhos-on-Sea Campus: Thursday 6 March, 6pm
Neil is a former international badminton player (winning his first England cap vs China at Gateshead Stadium) and achieved a highest world ranking of #12 in men’s doubles.
Following his playing career, he spent ten years lecturing in Sports Coaching and Exercise Science and has also been coaching elite performers across a range of sports over the last 30 years.
He moved into the coach development environment as Head of Coaching, Education and Training with Badminton England, transforming the approach towards coach education then moved to PGMOL following the Rio Olympics to lead the support and development of the coaches working with the nation’s top match officials.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) is the body responsible for refereeing games in English professional association football and separately owned by the FA, the Premier League and Football League.
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April:
Felicity Devey, Dietitian & Sport & Exercise Nutritionist
Nutrition
Coleg Llandrillo - University Centre, Rhos-on-Sea Campus: Monday 7 April, 6pm
As a Registered Dietitian and Registered Sport & Exercise Nutritionist Felicity has extensive experience supporting elite athlete’s health and wellbeing alongside their performance goals. She has supported athletes at altitude, in warm weather environments, during international travel and at European, Commonwealth and Paralympic Games.
Felicity started her Dietetics training in 2007, obtaining a BSc (hons) and HCPC Registration leading to various roles as a Dietitian for the NHS.
In 2012 she completed an MSc in Applied Sports Nutrition with a distinction, kick-starting a career as a registered Sport & Exercise Nutritionist (SENR) that has seen her travel across Europe and supporting athletes at pinnacle events such as Glasgow 2014, Baku European Games 2015, Gold Coast 2018 and in 2021 to Tokyo as part of the Paralympics GB delegation.
Alongside her passion for Sports Nutrition Felicity has built her strategic leadership and management experience. Her current role as the People & Services Lead for the Sport Wales Institute combines her passion for people and performance sport to ultimately enable sport in Wales to thrive.
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May:
Coaching in a National Elite Environment - Book your place here.
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June:
Alex Marshall-Wilson – Premier League Wheelchair Basketball Player and U23 European Champion. Studying Sport Psychology at Loughborough University.
Inclusive Sport
Coleg Llandrillo - University Centre, Rhos-on-Sea Campus: Thursday 26 June, 6pm
"I loved watching sport when I was younger, but because of my disability I was never allowed to participate. Never did I think from the age of 10 that my life would change.
"I was introduced to the world of wheelchair basketball and from the first session, I was hooked.
"Many doors opened which I did not expect. After only playing the sport for less than a year, I was chosen to represent Wales at national under 15 level.
"Now at 10 years of competing, I am a U23 European Champion, Premier League player and studying Sport Psychology at Loughborough University."
