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Ice dancing siblings John and Sinead Kerr have been supported by the institute for over five years and even called on their expert support team when they relocated to the USA in 2006
As they look ahead to Vancouver, it is clear that the brother and sister duo have reaped the benefits of unrivalled facilities and high performance expertise provided to them by the institute’s team of experts.
With a squad of seven working in various guises, the Kerrs aren’t missing out on the unique support provided back in their home nation. Their travelling support team has provided a hugely valuable addition to their New Jersey based operation. Co-ordinated by high performance manager Liz Mendl, who juggles the support for a number of Scotland’s athletes, the Kerrs receive regular visits from several institute experts to their training facility in New Jersey.
John and Sinead have consistently worked with the same members of staff over a number of years enabling each of them to develop a strong understanding of ice dancing and the duo’s fitness as well as collaboratively working towards helping them achieve their goals.
Institute physiotherapist Sue Warwick and exercise physiologist Vanessa Zucco have worked with John and Sinead to improve their overall condition and fitness between competitions. Video analysis expert, Andy Kerr has also visited the pair as well as travelled with them around the world as they compete. Whilst sports psychologist, Misha Botting keeps the pair focused and ensures they are mentally prepared to compete at their best.
Strength and conditioning coach, Neil Crosbie, is a regular visitor to New Jersey. He works closely with the duo’s own coach Evgeny Platov, to ensure they have a fitness plan to match their competitive goals. Collectively the team also ensure that they maintain continuity of presence with John and Sinead, not just dip in and out when they are back in the UK.
Neil, himself a West Coast Swing competitor, has also utilised his own contacts to help the Kerr’s develop their choreography. As a result they have worked with world renowned choreographer Robert Royston to help them to deliver a polished performance on the ice. This helped see them pick up a bronze medal at the European Championships this year, something they are looking to build on in Vancouver.
The creation and maintenance of a strong working relationship with the Kerr’s coach coupled with a dedicated, expert team has delivered a genuinely flexible solution as the siblings’ needs have evolved, at home and abroad.
