YOUTH ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
IN CHELTENHAM
Supporting young athletes isn’t about pushing harder or specialising earlier. It’s about building strong foundations, guiding them safely through growth, and setting them up for long-term performance, resilience, and enjoyment of sport.
At Proview Sports in Cheltenham, we work with youth athletes, parents, and coaches to develop robust, adaptable athletes — not just for the next season, but for the next decade.
PERFORMANCE | LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT | MATURATION MANAGEMENT | SPORTS REHABILITATION
Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD)
Long-term athletic development recognises that young athletes are not mini adults. Their bodies, nervous systems, and movement skills develop in stages and training must evolve with them.
Our Cheltenham-based programme focuses on:
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Movement quality first – running, jumping, landing, rotating, decelerating
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Progressive strength development – age-appropriate loading to build robust bones, tendons, and muscles
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Athletic versatility – developing transferable skills rather than early over-specialisation
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Education and ownership – helping young athletes understand their bodies and training
This creates athletes who move better, tolerate training load more effectively, and are less likely to break down during growth spurts or increased competition demands.
The goal isn’t just short-term success at 13 or 14, it’s staying healthy, confident, and competitive at 18, 21, and beyond, ready for academy, regional, or national opportunities.
“Great having confidence that their development is structured & evidence based”
Managing Growth & Maturation Challenges
Led by Our Sports Therapy Team
Periods of rapid growth place unique stress on the developing body. Our sports therapy team in Cheltenham guides youth athletes safely through these phases, blending hands-on treatment with progressive rehab and athletic development. The aim isn’t just to reduce pain, but to help young athletes continue training appropriately while their bodies adapt.We regularly support youth athletes with common growth-related conditions, including:
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
"Pain at the tibial tuberosity caused by repetitive load through the patellar tendon during growth. Common in running, jumping, and kicking sports
.Our sports therapy led approach focuses on:
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Intelligent load management rather than unnecessary rest
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Reducing tendon irritation while maintaining lower-limb strengthImproving running, jumping, and landing mechanics
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Supporting confidence and continued participation during growth phases
Sever’s Disease
Heel pain driven by traction forces through the Achilles tendon during growth spurts.
Managed by our sports therapy team through:
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Activity and training load modification
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Progressive calf and ankle capacity building
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Movement efficiency during running and change of direction
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Structured return to full sport participation
Growth-Related Overload & Coordination Changes ("Scatters")
Rapid increases in height can temporarily disrupt coordination and load distribution, leading to aches, pains, or recurring minor injuries.
Our sports therapy team works to
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Identify growth-related risk factors early
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Adapt training and competition demands in collaboration with parents and coaches
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Reduce fear and frustration during vulnerable growth periods
“Training feels fun again, and I’m improving every session.”
Youth Injury Rehabilitation
Led By Our Physio Team
Injury risk often peaks around maturation. Without the right support, young athletes can get stuck in cycles of rest, flare-ups, and loss of confidence.Our physios have extensive experience working with youth athletes across school sport, academies, and talent pathways. Rehabilitation is tailored to each athlete’s stage of maturation and specific injury, not just a scaled-down adult model. Programs focus on restoring strength, coordination, and movement quality through maturation phases, ensuring a gradual and confidence-led return to training and competition.
Post-Operative Care & ACL Rehab Support
We provide structured post-operative care, including ACL rehabilitation, tailored specifically to youth athletes. Our physios guide athletes through every stage of recovery, from early load management to functional return-to-sport, ensuring safe progression while maintaining long-term development goals.
Sports Injury Clinic
Our Cheltenham sports injury clinic offers expert injury assessment for youth athletes, focusing on accurate diagnosis and tailored management.
We implement professional rehabilitation protocols, provide structured exercise prescription, and deliver clear advice and education for athletes, parents, and coaches, ensuring young athletes recover safely and continue progressing
Post-Operative Care & ACL Rehab Support
We provide structured post-operative care, including ACL rehabilitation, tailored specifically to youth athletes.
Our physios guide athletes through every stage of recovery, from early load management to functional return-to-sport, ensuring safe progression while maintaining long-term development goals.
Team Approach
Our physio team works closely with our sports therapists and performance staff to ensure rehab doesn’t happen in isolation.
This integrated approach allows us to:
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Align rehab with ongoing training demands
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Adjust load intelligently during growth spurts
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Reduce recurrence of injury as athletes mature
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Support long-term athletic development alongside recovery
A Joined-Up Approach
We don’t just treat symptoms. We look at the athlete as a whole.
Their growth stage, training age, sport demands, strength levels, and movement strategy.
By integrating injury management, physical development, and education, we help young athletes:
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Stay active through growth
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Reduce time lost to recurring pain
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Build resilience rather than fear around injury
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Develop habits that support long-term performance and academy potential
Who This Is For
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Youth athletes experiencing pain during growth
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Parents seeking clarity and reassurance
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Coaches wanting to support safe development
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Talented athletes navigating increased training loads or academy trials
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If you’re unsure whether pain is “just growth” or something that needs addressing, early guidance from our Cheltenham-based team can make all the difference.
Strong foundations now lead to better athletes later and Proview Sports in Cheltenham is here to guide them.