Freddie set for Olympic future

Talented young sportsman Freddie Connor has tasted a slice of life as an Olympian and is hungry for more after his recent invite to the National Talent Orientation Camp (NTOC).
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jan 2009, 10:48 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:04 BST

Gifted sailor Freddie was one of only 100 young people in the UK who were invited to the four day event hosted by Loughborough University.

The NTOC is a programme run by the Youth Sport trust and gives the most talented young athletes in the country the opportunity to learn just what it takes to become an elite sportsperson.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Freddie, who is a Sports Academy student at Bexhill College, said "When we arrived at the camp, straight away we were made to feel like we were in the Olympic Village. We were given passes and our equipment and we were then split into teams. We were up and out for a walk at 6.30 every morning. This was followed by three fitness sessions every day."

There were also tutorials from those who know what it takes to get to the very top having done it themselves, as Freddie explained: "We were also mentored by Olympic silver medallist Joe Glanfield, he was fantastic and I learned a great deal.

"We also attended a presentation from a top sports psychologist. This was probably the best part of the camp for me. I learned that if I can control my thoughts then I am more likely to succeed. It has changed my attitude to training and I am up at 6am to train every morning now!"

Freddie is determined that he will be competing at the Olympics one day: "The next aim is to medal at the youth nationals in the Spring and then get into the Olympic Development Squad. I am determined that I will do it."