At the age of 16 two athletes were spotted training at Tamworth Athletics Club by Atherstone Sports Physiotherapist John Williams. Meghan Beesley and Nathan Woodward impressed the Atherstone Physiotherapist so much that he wanted to help with their development in Athletics.
Atherstone Sports Injury Clinic
Meghan had started to be noticed by many people because of her ability to perform well in a wide range of athletic activities. Her performances and success at sprinting and other events highlighted what an exciting prospect she could be.
Nathan was noticed by John at the Tamworth Athletics track one training evening. John recalls “I was watching a small group training on the track with their coach and saw this tall youngster moving down the back straight with all the others struggling to keep up. It was the way he ran, he just floated across the ground with ease and reminded me of Sebastian Coe, but so much taller. I couldn’t take my eyes off him and knew at that very moment I was looking at someone very special. It is very rare that you are able to witness something so special that it blows you away with admiration, but I will never forget that evening because for me, I was looking at a future Olympic Gold Medal Winner in the 800 metre’s”
I had already offered Meghan a sponsorship deal and decided to offer Nathan an identical deal of free sports injury treatments and sports massage for 6 years in their attempt to become elite athletes and represent their country. The Olympic Games was identified as a distant target and we decided to focus on injury prevention as a priority, as many athletes fail to reach their potential due to serious sporting injuries. Weekly visits for sports massage and check ups were the normal routine and any injury niggles that we identified were quickly treated until the pair moved away to Loughborough University as part of their higher academic education.
Due to current training commitments, university study and the distance involved, the two athletes visit the Atlas Sports Injury Clinics less frequently now but are still regular visitors and are always in touch by telephone if they need advice.
The first clinic used by the athletes was Tamworth Sports Injury Clinic who had a Tamworth physiotherapist available for treatments.
Atlas Pain Relief Centre has 3 clinics in total at the athlete’s disposal and they can have their treatments at Tamworth, Hall Green Birmingham or Atherstone North Warwickshire.
The Atlas clinic venues all have sports injury clinics, with the Hall Green Clinic specialising in running injuries. The Atherstone Clinic has recently opened and is now being supported by local athletes from Nuneaton Harriers, Atherstone Football club and Atherstone Hockey Club
Managed by Sports Podiatrist Peter Taylor the clinic offers biomechanical assessments, video gait analysis and provides prescription orthotics for overpronating feet. Meghan insists on using Atlas prescription orthotics that have corrected her biomechanics and helped her perform injury free.
The Atlas website www.runninginjuryclinic.co.uk has been launched to support joggers, marathon runners and elite athletes. It gives valuable advice on all the common running injuries. Anyone can book an appointment by telephoning 01827 59943
Both athletes are now sponsored by Nike and represent their country in the 400m hurdles. Meghan has won many titles and races as well as the European under 23 and World Junior Bronze Medals at 400m Hurdles. She collected a silver medal in the 400m relay final at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and also secured a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles final.
Nathan has also won many races in his career and this includes his 2011 Aviva World Trials
In Birmingham where he recorded a winning 49.66 for the 400m hurdles. Nathan has an impressive PB of 48.71 for the 400m hurdles and is still improving.
As the London Olympic Games 2012 gets closer both athletes have their sights focused on selection for the Great Britain team.
21year old Meghan is looking to compete indoors next year and 22year old Nathan is looking for outdoor races next year. Winter conditioning is now underway and fartlek training will help their strength and conditioning before they begin pre season speed work.
They are currently both in good condition and looking forward to the competitions next year.
It has been a standing joke between John and Nathan about his choice of event. Nathan has been very successful at his chosen 400m hurdles yet John would love to see him compete in the 800m like his idol Sebastion Coe. John feels Nathan has pure speed and the endurance capability to win that Olympic 800m Gold Medal but meanwhile he is firmly focused on the 400m hurdles. One day perhaps John will see his dream come true, from a cold windy night on the Tamworth track to the 800m Gold Medal podium place at the Olympic Games.
Both athletes are still young and improving and it highlights just what talent we have in the West Midlands. Nathan was bought up in Coleshill and Meghan in Polesworth near Tamworth although they currently live in Loughborough while at university. The road to success has been long and hard and with the right support, these two can go all the way!
