The Elite Performance Day covered many subjects, including nutrition, injury prevention, sport psychology, time management and media training, and was organised for sport stars between the ages of 14 and 16 – many of whom have recently been awarded bursaries to help them achieve their sporting ambitions.

Former Great Britain Olympian swimmer Adam Whitehead – who competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 – was also on hand to offer tips to the bright prospects. Adam himself studied at Henley College Coventry for an HND in Sports Science:

“Events like this offer talented young people a great insight into what it takes to become a professional athlete ... It was a great opportunity for those who were lucky enough to be asked to take part to receive advice about looking after themselves, training and making lifestyle choices." He added, "I wish something like this was organised when I was their age as I think it would have helped make me a better swimmer.”

Vanessa Brown, director of CSW Sport said, “Supporting the area’s crop of talented athletes is hugely important as we want to do everything we can to help as many of them as possible to reach their dream of competing in the Olympics by reaching the top in their chosen sport."

This year's event was the third Elite Performance Day held by the partnership of the University, the Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership, 2012 Games and CSW Sport and lies in the 2012 Team Coventry and Warwickshire” project, one of 6 projects being delivered by the C&W Partnership 2012 Games.

Vanessa Brown added, "all the talented athletes who took part picked up key knowledge that I’m sure they will find really useful in both the short and long-term future.”