Talented Athlete Academy

🌟 Wrapping up 2024 on a high and stepping confidently into 2025! 🌟 As Founder | Head Coach of Talented Athlete Academy Ltd. It’s been an incredible journey so far, fueled by the inspiring engagement and relentless effort of our athletes. As we look ahead, 2025 promises even more: ✅ Expanded camps (multiple school venues) ✅ Athlete Development Mentoring ✅ Athlete-Centred Strength & Conditioning Stay tuned for updates on our website and social media for upcoming dates and opportunities to join us on this exciting journey. Here’s to pushing limits and achieving greatness together in 2025! 🙌 Coach Skene

Hi everyone just a bit more context to the Talented Athlete Academy camp coming up December 16th-20th at Cranmore School. Don't spend the first week of the holidays watching TV or letting your competition get ahead, come begin your athletic journey and learn to train correctly and with purpose to gain a better understanding on how to reach your physical, psychological peak whilst focusing on your emotional and social health and wellbeing. Check it out and sign up by visiting https://lnkd.in/eAaXAG3f and using the sign up page. Paul Hodgson stephanie gibson Cranmore ST. TERESA'S SCHOOL EFFINGHAM TRUST

- HURRY UP - Just ONE week remaining to book your place! For any aspiring athletes in or near Surrey who wish to take their athleticism and sport further please do not hesitate. Sign up now for Talented Athlete Academies's December Camp running 16th - 20th December for 11-6 year olds (boys and girls). Being held at Cranmore school using their Athlete Development Centre and other purpose fit facilities, camp will both educate athletes on the complexities of life in elite sport and the lifestyle skills required plus additionally provide 4h of physical performance training each day. Use the information provided or visit the website to download flyer and info packet plus find the sign up form. Hope to see you all there and if anyone wouldn't mind please share with clubs, schools, individual athletes. Your support is appreciated. Coach Skene

Recommendation Time! The Leadership Secrets of Nick Saban is a fantastic read (or listen) that offers valuable insights into exceptional leadership and coaching. I highly recommend checking it out! Do you have any great book or podcast recommendations on leadership, coaching, or personal development? I’d love to hear them—drop them in the comments!

Excited to announce Talented Athlete Academy’s first camp designed specifically for both athletic performance and personal development through carefully structured physical development sessions and athlete support workshops & mentorship. Venue is Cranmore school with their world class facilities, including Sports hall, Athlete Development Centre, purpose fit classrooms, sports pitches and more. Dates are Monday 16th to Friday 20th December. Catering for any aspiring athlete y7-11 (12-16 y/o). Huge shout out to Paul Hodgson who has allowed TAA to utilise such a great venue and sharing the companies vision of Athlete Centred Coaching & Mentorship Limited to just 30 spaces so be quick to sign up. Visit https://lnkd.in/eAaXAG3f for more details on how to register your interest in a space and to download the full itinerary.

I am excited to announce the launch of a new podcast as part of Talented Athlete Academy's mission to educate, develop and support aspiring athletes. This platform will feature interviews with industry experts, athletes and invested individuals who will share their unique insights, advice, and guidance to help athletes navigate the complexities of excelling in sport in today's climate, from early development to high performance and transitioning beyond competition whilst crucially maintaining an athletes mental health & wellbeing. To my esteemed network (domestic or international): If you are an expert in any of the following areas, or know someone who is, I would love to hear from you so we might schedule an interview. I am calling on: Strength & conditioning coaches Technical and tactical sports coaches Team / organisation management Team coaches Directors of Sport, PE & Athletic development Physical education teachers Heads of School Housemasters Sports scholarship personnel International recruitment operatives Kit / equipment personnel Parents  Athletes Sports scientists Sports physiotherapist Sports psychologists Cognitive performance developer Sports Nutritionists Discipline coaches (Yoga, Pilates, Animal Flow / Calisthenics etc.) Career advisors Athlete profile creators Financial advisors Mental health & wellbeing practitioners  Athlete personal development practitioners Lifestyle coaches Player care personnel Plus, any other industry expert not listed above, whom, I've missed and is involved in athlete development, support, wellbeing and performance. Your expertise will play a crucial role in helping young athletes achieve their full potential. LinkedIn offers us a unique opportunity for industry experts to connect and share their expertise, contributing to a shared goal of coaching, developing, and guiding the next generation of athletes. If you'd like to collaborate and make an impact, please don't hesitate to reach out. Stay tuned for the release of our first podcast episode – coming soon!

Athlete(s) update: Junior Athlete(s): Rugby Jack Pridmore, Jonny Wilkins, Sean Okubaye, and Nathan Okonkwo (Pictured from left to right) I’m thrilled to share the latest achievements of four of our former TAA athletes—Jack Pridmore, Jonny Wilkins, Sean Okubaye, and Nathan Okonkwo—who have made remarkable strides at Epsom College. Their dedication and professionalism have earned them spots on the U14's A Rugby team, where they’ve contributed to impressive victories over St. Paul’s (50-0), Radley College (36-5), St. John’s (48-0), and RGS Guildford (43-0). Though they faced a narrow loss to Seaford College (12-7), I’m confident it will only strengthen their resolve and growth. Well done to all, and we look forward to hearing more of your successes! Keep working hard, take every opportunity to grow and know we're always here to support you.

Wow what can I say, I am extremely privileged to receive this testimonial from Simon Kerrod, who in my eyes is a consummate professional athlete that epitomises being a team player In arguably the most team orientated sport, rugby. No one more focused, determined or deserving of his opportunities and does everything in his control to support and better those around him. Good luck this season Simon. He wrote: “At Harlequins, we have access to top-tier multidisciplinary support and facilities, but adding to that further, outside of the club I decided to work with Coach Ricky Skene, which was especially valuable from an elite performance perspective. His deep understanding of the demands of professional sport, combined with a personalized approach through the Talented Athlete Academy, has been crucial in helping me navigate the highs and lows, especially when it comes to injuries and team selection. Ricky doesn't just offer solutions; he understands the unique challenges athletes face and works with you to create strategies that lead to sustained elite performance and mental wellbeing. If you're a serious athlete looking to reach your full potential, I can't recommend Ricky highly enough." Simon Kerrod, Prop | Harlequins RFU

Athlete UPDATE: Junior Athlete - Rugby & Harrow Football Nicolas de Leo Lovely to hear from Rossella de Leo (mother of junior athlete Nicolas). She has just reached out to let Talented Athlete Academy know that her son Nic is smashing it. Couldn’t be happier for the whole family. Nicolas is a determined and talented young athlete with a very smart head on his shoulders and terrific support network around him. Achievements: • Student Athlete Harrow School | 5th Form • Sports Scholar - Rugby & Harrow Football • Selected Vice-Captain/Captain for the U14A’s, U15A’s & U16A’s Harrow Rugby teams.  • London Irish Development Player Programme U15's in 2023/2024 • Present Saracens Player Development Group U16's

Thank you for your valued feedback Grant. Testimonial courtesy of Grant King, Independent Non-Executive Director, Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) There is never a point, I don't feel, in anything that we do where there isn't room for an extra edge. Ricky and TAA have created an experience that is personal, centred around the athlete and lead with empathy which enables all to find that edge. Not many coaches and advisors listen first to really understand an athlete and are too quick to provide box solutions. Ricky and TAA have been able to break down athletes' challenges into useful chunks that become adaptable, resilient and durable across many aspects of their life which has enabled them to take their athletic, business, personal careers and health to the next level.