The equipment, purchased with £93,000 of funding from Sport England, has been distributed throughout the EIS network after it was used within the temporary Team England Performance Centre for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this year.
The EIS, the country’s largest provider of sport science, medicine and technology, delivers over 4,000 hours of service a week to over 1,700 athletes.
At least a dozen EIS High Performance Centres and partner sites have benefited from the equipment, with items ranging from inflatable ice-baths and hydraulic couches to gym balls and floor mats.
EIS Director of Operations Peter Elliott explained: “When Commonwealth Games England approached Sport England to help fund the equipment they needed for the Team England Performance Centre in Glasgow, it was suggested they looked to work with us to ensure there was a long term benefit for the investment.”
“We’ve worked very closely with Team England and utilised our network and contacts to ensure investment has gone on equipment that can be of long term benefit to practitioners and athletes within the high performance system.”
“It’s been a big logistical exercise that I think shows how a collaborative approach can benefit the whole high performance system and, of course, we are very grateful to both Commonwealth Games England and Sport England for making it happen.”
Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, added: “Team England’s Performance Centre contributed to the athletes’ success at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. It provided an enhanced environment for both athletes and support staff, which has never previously been provided for the England team.
“By working together, we’ve been able to not only support the athletes and staff during Games time but have also secured a lasting legacy from Games by ensuring both talented and elite athletes have access to good quality equipment for the foreseeable future.”
Team England Deputy Chef de Mission (Operations) Graeme Dell said: “This project achieved an exceptional delivery outcome and has been a great example of numerous partnerships working together with a common goal, benefitting every athlete and the team as a whole.”
“Feedback from the sports and the athletes shows that it underpinned the benefits they derived from our joined-up approach to the Performance Centre where both Games Time gains and longer-term legacy objectives were carefully considered.”
“Both Sport England and the EIS played their own key parts in helping us to deliver on our vision at Games Time and returning a legacy to all English athletes in the HPCs.”