Press Release
1st Apr 2010
Football Physiotherapist Michael Dons Cycling Kit in Push for New Heart Rate Technology
It takes dedication, a very big heart and a lot of leg power to cycle over 300 miles all to help your players improve their performance on the football pitch.
Michael Rayner, physiotherapist to AFC Wimbledon of the Blue Square Premiership, is a man on a mission. Together with fans Ross Montague, Russell Smith and player Tom Woolgar, they will be setting off from Waterloo Station on Wednesday 21st April 2010 at 11.00am and cycling to Gateshead International Stadium, home of Gateshead FC. and venue for AFC Wimbledon's last game of the season, on Saturday 24th April. The team nicknamed Velo and Blue, hope to raise over £4,000 to help Michael purchase the very latest sports performance and recovery, heart rate technology for his players.
Last summer 33 year old Michael, who has been at AFC Wimbledon for the last 6 seasons, visited the Healthpod at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth in London to see this specialist technology, which originates from Finland, in action. He was impressed by what he saw.
Michael recognised how the software, from London based company Optima-life, could play a major role in monitoring his players' training and more importantly their recovery; ultimately helping to improve their overall performance. Blue Square Premier or Premier League, performance is key.
Michael said:
"I was very surprised to see how much valuable data you could get from this one bit of kit. You hear a lot of talk about players being tired and burnt out. Well, now you can measure levels of stress and also look at rates of recovery through sleep. It's important to see how the body is responding not just in training and play, but outside of that as well.
Players have lots of pressures at home and in everyday life and this can greatly impact on performance. Now we can have real physiological data to help us. I think it will also help us to reduce injuries as well."
The club, which runs a very tight ship financially, have backed Michael all the way in his efforts to purchase this equipment. Club Director Ivor Heller said:
"We want to give the players every opportunity to succeed. I have seen the technology and know that it will help not only the players but also the manager and back room staff too – stress levels can get pretty high in this game.
As for the finances, clubs today more than ever must live within their means. So to help raise the funds we are printing 'Golden Time' Tickets. The tickets cost £2.00 and the winning ticket will be the one that matches the total ride time for the 4 stages1 of the 302 mile trip. The winner will receive £302.00 – a pound for every mile the boys cycle. Tickets are on sale now ."
For further information please call Maggie McNerney on 07860 196544. You can also keep up to date with the Team through the Velo and Blue blog at www.veloandblue.com and on Twitter www.twitter.com/veloandblue
END
Notes to the editor
About Michael Rayner MCSP
Michael is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists. He joined AFC Wimbledon having spent two seasons at Hendon FC. He runs a physiotherapy practice in Bayswater.
Michael, 33 is married to Fiona and has two children Oralie who is 3 and a half yrs and Neve 10 months.
1Stages of the Trip
Wednesday 21st April
Velo and Blue 2010 Stage 1 London to Peterborough 90.9miles
Depart from under the clock tower at Waterloo Station 11.00am.
Thursday 22nd April
Velo and Blue 2010 Stage 2 Peterborough to York 113.4miles
Friday 23rd April
Velo and Blue 2010 Stage 3 York to Durham (Sedgefield) 79.4miles
Saturday 24th April
Velo and Blue 2010 Stage 4 Durham to Gateshead 28.6miles
The route has been carefully planned naturally to avoid Milton Keynes!↑
Prize Draw
The prize draw is being run by The Dons Trust and in accordance with The Dons Draw
Tickets are on sale at the remaining home games in the back bar up until the final fixture.
About AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon was formed in 2002 following the unprecedented departure of Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes. Forced to start again, player trials were held on Wimbledon Common. The club began their new existence in the Combined Counties League. They have since been promoted 4 times in the last 7 seasons.
Ground Address
AFC Wimbledon, The Cherry Red Records Fans' Stadium – Kingsmeadow, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey. KT1 3PB
www.afcwimbledon.co.uk
About Optima Life
Optima-life specialises in technology and services for optimising health and performance in work, sport and everyday life. The company is currently working with international and professional sports teams, world class individual sports players, fitness industry specialists, top FTSE 100 companies and leading organisations and individuals within the private and NHS healthcare sectors.
www.optima-life.com
Tel: 0207 135 2424 Fax: 0207 135 2425 Email: info@optima-life.com
For all press enquiries please contact:
Maggie McNerney, Charles Whitney PR
Tel: 0845 004 1040 Fax:0845 004 1050
Mob: 07738 478204
