WHAT IS THE UTS?
The Underground Training Station, or ‘UTS’ is an established Wirral Fitness Facility that has been trading since 2009 offering elite level coaching and fitness education to the general public regardless of their ability.
This has been developed from elite level sport practice to appeal to a wider audience. This echoes our fundamental philosophy, which always has been GET COACHED, GET EDUCATED AND GET RESULTS.
This facility offers state of the art strength and conditioning equipment alongside artificial turfed areas that encompasses UTS’s unique circuit training systems developed by UTS Directors, Dr Colin Robertson, Head of Strength and Conditioning Masters Program at Bolton University and former England Rugby Strength and Conditioning Coach, Neil Parsley.
WHAT IS THE UTS FOUNDATION
The UTS (Underground Training Station) Foundation offers a range of specific and targeted fitness, health and well being activities for the most vulnerable members of our community; including (post) cancer care, mental ill health, special needs, disadvantaged children and adults and ex-military veterans.
We currently work in partnership with a range of agencies, such as GP's, Wirral NHS, police and PCSO's, youth service, youth offending teams, schools, colleges and sports clubs to deliver a holistic programme of structured fitness session with nutritional guidance to help support these people develop, learn and grow, whilst improving their quality of life.
In addition we want those young people who attend our Foundation projects to develop skills and literacy in physical education which will allow them to become better athletes in whatever sport they chose, but more importantly develop the skills that are needed to help them better individuals with transferable skills, such as confidence, resilience, discipline and respect.
We will offer practical skills to overcome adversity as well as support, reassurance and a platform to improve their health, well being and quality of life though a long term programme of delivery.
FOUNDATION COACHES
Megan Hewitt
Megan has recently graduated, July 2016, from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) with a Bachelor of Science with Honours, Class 1 in Sport and Exercise Sciences. In October 2016, Megan continued her studies at LJMU embarking on pursuing a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Clinical Physiologhy. Megan’s role involves working as an independent researcher for the university.
Megan has a wealth of experience when it comes to strength and conditioning. During her undergraduate degree, she was successful in gaining a place on the universities strength and conditioning internship as a Junior Intern. Embarking on her MPhil, Megan was appointed as a Lead Intern whereby she coaches individual scholar athletes as well as being a mentor for the junior and senior interns.
Megan is an established coach of the Underground Training Station (UTS) South Wirral, she has worked in this position for almost 4 years after having completed a 4 week voluntary placement at the facility. Megan’s speciality is Steelworks which involves resistance training, she delivers a number of these classes within the facility as well as coaching her own personal clients. Through this job role, Megan has achieved a Level 4 Cancer Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification through the UTS Foundation and Wright Foundation.
Being a passionate trainer, Megan is committed and dedicated to her own training regimes. Megan has represented Ireland as a sprint athlete and has a wealth of experience in Olympic Weightlifting. Currently, her training programs are focused on Hypertrophy with the goal of building muscle mass.
Natalie Burdis
Natalie Burdis, a Sports Rehabilitation specialist who is originally from Doncaster and has started working for the UTS foundation.
Natalie has recently finished her Sports Rehabilitation Batchelor's Degree at the Country's Leading Institute for Sports Rehab; The University of Bolton. Natalie also works with the England Amputee Football team, and the Everton Amputee football team. In the past, Natalie has also worked with different team sports, rugby and football, and has also worked clinically.
Natalie particularly enjoys working with diverse groups of people, which is why her role at the UTS foundation is perfect for her, as she will be able to work with a broad spectrum of groups; from children’s classes to cancer patients, which even though they might seem worlds apart actually have one important thing in common: getting involved in fitness to improve their situation. Natalie stated that she is thrilled to joining the UTS, and likewise proud that she can be part of each and everyone’s journey!
Tina Toft (Yoga)
Tina’s yoga style is thorough, her motto is simple, “To be healthy we need to be fully present and pain free. Health demands our participation”.
Tina has been practicing yoga for over 25yrs. She is a certified Sivananda and Vinyasa flow yoga teacher. She is also a certified Children’s yoga specialist, and pre and post natal yoga teacher. She is an Ayurvedic health practitioner including diet and lifestyle councillor of ten years and feels very fortunate to have trained with the world’s most eminent Ayurvedic teachers In Pune India and Ayurvedic Institute UK.
Her training as a General Nurse deepens her yoga and ayurvedic approach to illness and those recovering or suffering from western disease.
Her commercial career is in Food design and process development within the manufacturing food industry. She has designed her own brand of Ayurvedic digestive GUT HEALTH products with cooking demonstrations and yoga videos which are available on her website.
Tina’s style of yoga is detailed and strong with clear verbal instruction including advice for moderating postures and explanations with regard for your physiology and wellbeing.
Tina has been involved with a number of charities throughout her career including 12 years on the main governing board as trustee at Wessex children’s and young adults Hospice with a turnover of £15m. She also assisted with the development and growth of ‘Special Yoga for disabled children’ A charity that is now offers its services world wide.
This combined experience has provided her with a very unique approach to health and well-being. Teaching allows her to share this wealth of knowledge and experience and we are delighted that she has decided to offer her services to our Foundation.
Deb Patterson (Pilates)
Debs qualified as a Physiotherapist 18 years ago and has worked within the NHS, private practice and Sports including 5 years as team Physio for England’s Amputee and Partially sighted football teams.
She was a clinical specialist in Amputee Rehabilitation for 10 years and this is where she developed her passion for analysing movement patterns. As a result she trained to teach Pilates and 5 years ago set up Pilates by Physio.
Her Pilates classes allow those who have certain ailments, aches and pains to exercise alongside people looking to improve posture and fitness; right through to super sporty types.
She recently completed the Pinc and Steel cancer survivorship course which encourages exercise in those affected by Cancer.
Debs loves teaching classes at the foundation. There is a large variety of ages and ability within class, with different goals but all working together and having fun.
Debs has been attending UTS since its inception in 2009. She fully supports its ethos of inclusivity and the use of exercise to create a better version of you through both mind and body.
FOUNDATION TRUSTEES
Sarah Stevenson
Born in Doncaster, England in 1983, Sarah started her training at the Doncaster All Stars Taekwondo team and remains a member of the Doncaster club. In 1998 Sarah became Junior World Champion at the tender age of 15, followed by Junior European Champion in 1999. Sarah then qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, drawing the attention of Jackie Chan who sponsored her while promoting Shanghai Noon in the UK. Although not taking a medal in the 2000 Olympics (4th place), Sarah went on to become World Champion in 2001, the first British Taekwondo World Champion ever. Sarah has since become four times European Champion and World silver medallist in 2005.
In 2008, Sarah competed in the Beijing Olympics and won the bronze medal, the first ever medal for GB Taekwondo and become one of the most memorable athletes from the Beijing games. Not only has Sarah shown a consistent ability to compete at the top for a number of years, but has inspired many on and off the mat. She has recently set up ‘Sarah Stevenson Inspires’ which aims to educate and train young, aspiring athletes across a range of sports. Just a further example of why Sarah is a true ambassador to Great British sport. Sarah’s most recent sporting success came in May 2011 by becoming World Champion for the third time.
Off the mat, Sarah was awarded an MBE in 2012 and was selected by her fellow athletes to read the Athlete oath at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics. Since then she has also been awarded an Honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University, all of these achievements will be put to good use as Sarah develops her career over the next few years, inspiring others. Sarah has created her company Sarah Stevenson Inspires and is planning to continue to inspire, mentor and motivate young people to achieve and carry on the legacy that she has created for GB Taekwondo.
"I am so proud of what I have achieved both on and off the mat. I am now committed to pass on my experiences and help other young people gain the life skills and opportunities that I have had over the years. My ambition is to keep raising the profile of Taekwondo as a sport and encourage all youngsters to feel the benefits that come from being involved in sport”
Dan Keefe
Dan is the current Deputy Head and Director of Sport at Clare Mount Specialist Sports College having spent 20 years working in education and sports development as a PE teacher, Sports coordinator and Partnership Development Manager. Dan has a Degree in Sport, Social Policy and Management and a Masters in Advanced Educational Practice. He firmly believes that 'sport changes lives' and throughout his career has utilised the power of sport to boost attendance, behaviour, self-esteem, attainment and employ-ability skills. Dan has seen first hand the impact Underground Training can have on young people and the staff at his school.
Kevin Robinson
Kevin has been involved with volunteering work all his working life in helping individuals or groups in need of help.
Kevin worked on the Liverpool Docks for over thirty years and had the great privileged to represent workers in gaining better working and welfare conditions during negotiating with employers.
Kevin have always been interested in all sports and fitness, especially football. He represented his school playing for Liverpool Schoolboys and went on to play at Blackburn Rovers and Bury at semi professional level. Kevin has also coached football at all levels.
Kevin has worked in the third sector (not for profit) as an Employer Liaison Officer dealing with employers, councils, trade unions, Chambers of Commerce DWP.
Kevin worked with vulnerable people and voluntary groups via Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) and he was also a director of Kirkby Unemployed Centre.
Asked about working with the UTS Foundation, Kevin stated “I'm proud and privileged to bring some of these skills and life experiences to UTS and Kevin Im excited to be a part of such an ambitious and dynamic project”.
FOUNDATION AMBASSADORS
Dave Bolton
Foundation Ambassador, Dave Bolton is a fully qualified Strength & Conditioning Coach and gained his qualification in 2014 at Leeds Beckett University.
Dave has faced and overcome life threatening adversity throughout his life. In 2004 he was involved in a near fatal motor bike accident which left him in coma and being told he would not walk again.
Dave refused to accept this and in 2009 became the Light Heavy Weight Kick Boxing Welsh, British and World Champion representing Great Britain in Pisa, Italy. He has also represented England Athletics as a sprinter at schoolboy level and the Royal Air Force in Rugby Union.
In 2014, Dave was a covert Police Sergeant tackling serious and organised crime and was diagnosed with brain cancer. After recovering from brain surgery, Dave took medical retirement. He then began carving a new career out for himself in the world of fitness at the Underground Training Station where he has worked ever since.
During this time he has specialised in rugby and calisthenics. He is a qualified rugby coach with Wirral RFU and England RFU in the community to clubs across the region.
Dave has turned his own unfortunate terminal diagnosis into a positive for others by inspiring change and giving hope through his website and as a motivational speaker.
“My passion is sport, fitness and helping the next generation. Whether it be through youth development, working with the UTS Foundation and helping others that are in a similar position to myself, or those battling or recovering from cancer. There is nothing more rewarding"
Linda Pike
Linda's career background is in selling and designing high end jewellery to private clients. Providing an exclusive, bespoke service to a very discerning cliental.
She has also worked on a voluntary basis for Rainbow Trust, raising funds for children with terminal and critical illnesses.
Linda came to UTS shortly after completing 3 months of chemotherapy. " My body had been battered by the chemotherapy drugs. I was lacking energy, looking for quick fixes by eating sugar laden food and generally feeling low.
I realised that I needed to get my life back on track by eating well and exercising safely to improve my energy levels and well being, therefore giving myself the best possible chance of recovery and thats when I discovered the UTS Foundation.
Linda has just completed an initial programme and continues to enthusiastically work out at UTS. Linda's career experience along with her own journey fighting cancer makes her perfectly placed to be a UTS Ambassador.