Team England today unveiled the Lions' Den, a dedicated performance centre, at the heart of their Headquarters in the Glasgow 2014 Athletes' Village.
With £93,000 funding from Sport England, the Lions' Den provides an enhanced environment for Team England athletes and support staff alike, which has never previously been provided to an England team.
Renowned sports scientists Professor Greg Whyte OBE and Gary Phillips will manage the Lions’ Den. The centre will give Team England athletes access to a full range of clinical, prehabilitation, rehabilitation and preparation services right on their doorstep in the Village, which is aimed to ensure a seamless performance transition into the Games environment.
Within the 12,000 square foot facility Team England athletes can access doctors and physios in a dedicated area instead of makeshift treatment rooms in bedrooms. The facility includes; a large stretch area, spin bike zone, ice bath area, medical practitioner rooms and performance analysis suites. In addition there is a dedicated bottle sterilisation room and sport science prep area with a variety of meeting rooms for team meetings.
Team England Chef de Mission Jan Paterson MBE said: "Over the last four year cycle we have made a commitment to the athletes and support staff that we as an organisation would raise the bar by stepping up our support. We have aimed to enhance the support services that athletes can access at Games Time as well as the environment for the professional development of staff. The Lions' Den is a physical manifestation of that promise."
"Never before at a Commonwealth Games have Team England athletes had access to such a high level of integrated support. The Lions' Den ensures that medics, therapists, scientists, analysts and support staff are working alongside each other for the benefit of every athlete in Team England."
Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnson, who assisted in getting the centre ready ahead of the athletes’ arrival, said: “Since 2011, our investment in Commonwealth Games England has played a key role in preparing and managing a successful Team England. We’re proud to be helping deliver this facility and continue our support as they take the next step in achieving their ambitions.
“The Lions’ Den will help prepare each athlete thoroughly ahead of their event, and we hope their performances will inspire more people to go out and give sport a go.”
After the Games, the equipment from the centre will be distributed around the English Institute of Sport network allowing England athletes to continue ultilising it.