In the spring, summer and fall of 2009, Richard Bucciarelli of Soccer Fitness, Robert Rupf and Jason Vescovi of the Canadian Sport Centre Ontario, and Paolo Pacione of the Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Centre, collected data on female Academy, Club, College, Provincial and National team players, for a comprehensive study comparing fitness test scores between these different levels of play in Canada. Our abstract, titled Speed and High Intensity Running Ability of Female Soccer Players of Different Standards of Play, was written and submitted in November, 2009, for presentation at the Second World Conference on Science and Soccer, at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, being held June 8-9, 2010. We have recently received confirmation that our abstract has been accepted, and as a result, Richard will be heading to South Africa in June to present the study at the Conference.
An internationally recognized event, highlighting the latest in soccer-specific scientific research, the Conference is aimed at academics, sport scientists, teachers, students, and administrators with an interest in the scientific study and/or the practical performance of soccer from grass roots to the professional levels. “It is a huge honour for me to be able to attend and present research at such an historic event,” commented Richard. “My trip to South Africa would not have been possible without the help of Robert Rupf, Jason Vescovi, Paolo Pacione, Bassam Naim, Peyvand Mossavat, Gabriella Trichilo, and Altaf Sarangi. I would also like to thank the ANB Futbol Academy, the Canadian Soccer Association, the Ontario Soccer Association, the Ryerson University Women’s Varsity Soccer Team, the Erin Mills Soccer Club, and the Glen Shields Soccer Club, for their assistance and participation in the fitness testing.” Stay on the look-out for future issues of Soccer Fit-Facts, for an in-depth review of our presentation, as well as highlights from the Second World Conference on Science and Soccer!
For more information on the Second World Conference on Science and Soccer, visit: www.nmmu.ac.za.