Applied Workshops
Body Composition Assessment In Soccer: Practical Applications and Performance Insights
Date and Time
Wednesday 18th June, 3pm – 4pm
Workshop Leaders:
Marianne Hayward, State Registered Dietitian, Performance Nutritionist and Independent Consultant
Dr Nicola Brown, Associate Professor, St Marys University, London, UK
Dr James Fleming, Senior Lecturer, Performance Nutritionist & Instructor Anthropometrist
This session explores the practical use of body composition assessment in soccer, with a focus on applying the ISAK protocol and interpreting results to optimise player performance. Through case studies, developmental considerations like growth and maturation, and examples of best practice, attendees will gain actionable insights into how body composition data can inform decision-making in elite and youth soccer settings. A must-attend for coaches, sports scientists, and practitioners looking to enhance their approach to player assessment and support.
Designing evidence-based talent pathways: Challenges and lessons from research and practice
Date and Time
Thursday 19th June, 3pm – 4pm
Workshop Leaders:
Dr. Tom Bergkamp, Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB)
Ilse Peringa, University of Groningen
Jan Verbeek, University of Groningen; Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB)
Prof. Dr. Ruud Den Hartigh, University of Groningen
This applied workshop will provide attendees with valuable insights into how empirical evidence can inform the design of talent pathways in football. Through the lens of the Dutch FA (KNVB) and University of Groningen, the session includes presentations on research-informed strategies for talent identification and lessons learned from examining player journeys. Football Associations (FAs) and other governing bodies typically establish and design pathways that identify and develop promising young football players, primarily to strengthen their senior teams. However, players’ unpredictable developmental journeys are inherently complex and imposes numerous challenges. This workshop discusses these challenges, connecting coaches, sports scientists, and practitioners in a collaborative effort to design evidence-based strategies for talent development.