Get to know Huddersfield Town’s First Team and Academy staff
- ‘Know Your Role’ series continues
- Today we look at Senior Physical Performance Coach Callum Walsh
- You may have seen Callum giving pre-match warm-ups on a match day
With the coronavirus currently postponing Town’s fixture list, we’ve decided to introduce you to some of our First Team and Academy Staff – today we look at the Club’s Senior Physical Performance Coach, Callum Walsh!
Callum’s role sees him work as part of the Club’s performance staff to help the First Team’s injured players that have been cleared to return to action.
As well as this, he assesses training loads for the fit and healthy players, and you may have also seen him take pre-match warm-ups on a match day! But how did he get into the physical performance industry?
“I’d always wanted to be a footballer, but was never good enough, although the fitness side was never a problem!
“I had always enjoyed the fitness side and football so started at university on the journey of either wanting to coach or go down the fitness route.”
Now as Town’s Senior Physical Performance Coach, Callum took us through an average day for himself.
“8.30am - Meeting - To discuss the day/week ahead. What each player is up to including the injured players.
“9 - 9.30am - Meet the players - Each player fills out a health questionnaire to see how they are feeling, how they slept and if they have any soreness; it’s a good chance to gage the feeling in the group.
“9.30am - Meet the coaching staff, discuss player availability and what the session content is going to be.
“11.15am - Pre-activation - Set up the warm-up before training.
“11.45am - Training starts.
“1 - 1.30pm - Usually training has finished, and we take players through recovery.
“1.30 - 2pm – Lunch.
“2.30pm - Meeting/Gym.
“3 - 5pm - After that it’s time to catch up on paperwork regarding the day’s sessions and planning for the next day/week and further projects for development. Once the paperwork is done, there is time for me to train.”
Callum’s role sees him work closely with the performance department, led by Head of Performance Services John Iga, along with the coaching staff and the Club’s analysts. There are several pluses that come with the role.
“My favourite part of the role is seeing players come through hard times like a long injury and then come back and start performing well.
“We know how much they love playing and being out injured is tough not just physically, but mentally as they are away from the group and they have to work really hard often on their own.
“So, when they step back onto the field for the first time it gives the performance team a buzz.”
Like all roles, it doesn’t come without its challenges. Callum’s toughest challenge at the Club to date was relieved by a memorable night at the bet365 Stadium, earlier this season.
“The biggest challenge I think all the staff would say would not necessarily be the relegation, but the long run of games without a win.
“I have been working in football over 10 years and that win away at Stoke will never be forgotten!”
If working in physical performance is something that you’re aspiring towards, Callum has some words of advice for you!
“Get the qualifications and then open yourself up to coaching as much as you can to gain experience.
“I have been fortunate enough to work with every type of individual in different areas of the game including First Team players, academy, women, community and disability.
“You learn so much from working with a variety of groups that will stand you in good stead!
“It’s tough to get your foot in the door, so stay patient; it will be worth it!”
