Speed Academy is a speed and strength coaching business working with professional and semi-professional athletes from football, rugby and golf, as well as delivering a youth programme for athletes from the ages of nine to 18.

An expert in the field of strength and conditioning, we spoke to Gascoyne about his newest project and the background behind his business.

He told us: “I was released by Bradford City when a new manager came in.

“As a father of two, the lack of job security forced me into the private sector.

“While at City, part of my role was to test the first-team players.

“It was doing this that made me recognise that the academy players coming through were not adequately prepared for full-time football.

“Although the numbers were fine, their movement quality would not stand up to daily training and soft tissue injuries were inevitable.

“That was the birth of the Speed Academy youth programme, which has now been running for over 13 years.”

The Ilkley project has been a long time coming, with Gascoyne saying: “I’ve been looking for something like this for 10 years.

“I’ve looked at many small units, but the overheads are too large and there’s always a compromise on space.

“Here at Ilkley Rugby Club, I have a small gym equipped for performance sport with the advantage of going straight outside to work on speed, agility and power. It’s quite unique.”

Rob Gascoyne outside the Ilkley facility. (Image: UGC)

And Gascoyne is adapting with the times too, saying: “I’ve always used video analysis to assist with coaching and have been using AI based software for two to three years to reduce the work load.

“However, now it’s like having a biomechanics lab out on the field and all I need is a phone and a tripod.

“Not only can we identify the risk of injury, but precisely what work needs to be done to get back to full speed and beyond.

“The reports also make complex biomechanics easy for the athlete to understand.

“Instead of just measuring sprint times, we can set a target of reducing the time spent on the ground with their right foot and exercises in the gym can work towards this.”

Everyone’s body has different demands, but Gascoyne said: “The best ability is availability and if you’re able to train consistently, you’ll see growth.

“I’ve developed a Movement Profile that every athlete I work with goes through, from my 70-year-old recreational runner to my professional athletes.

“It highlights what movements may cause problems, what’s holding them back and what’s their superpower.

“With this information, I can design a programme that keeps them training consistently and effectively.”

Gascoyne primarily works with footballers, rugby players and golfers, which sounds difficult, given the disparity between the three sports.

Former Leeds United player Seb Carole with his son Timeo, who attends the academy. (Image: UGC)

But he said: “The sports are different. The demands are different. But the tool is the same.

“A deep understanding of the human body is the starting point.

“Next, you have to understand the key movement demands of the sport.

“Most are based around running, which is a good starting point, but all offer their own unique challenges.

“Golf is completely different to football and rugby, but similar to throwing events.

“The Movement Profile highlights where the athlete is currently at so I can optimise the programme to their specific needs and it’s the same with specific injuries.

“Even though I’m not a physio and I’m only involved once the player is almost ready. I have to understand what caused it and what changes have occurred to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“These principles work at every level and for every sport.”