The Team
Rob Anderson
Owner
Rob created The Athlete Academy with the mission to provide world class athletic development and coaching for young athletes. His dedication to improving the quality of youth athletic development is reflected in his recent achievement, winning the 2024 UKSCA Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year Award for Youth Sport. With over 15 years of experience, Rob has coached emerging youth athletes, including serving 5 years at Scottish Rugby as the Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach for two Regional Academies: Borders & East Lothian Region and the Caledonia Region.
Qualifications:
– MSc in Applied Sport & Exercise Physiology
– BSc (Hons) in Strength & Conditioning Science
– World Rugby Coach Educator (Strength and Conditioning)
– UKSCA Accredited Strength & Conditioning Coach
– ISAK Level 1 Anthropometrist
– Precision Nutrition Level 1
– Level 2, Level 3, and Level 3 Advanced NASM Qualification
Ben Parkes
Coach
Ben obtained his BSc in Sport & Exercise Science and began working with the Scottish Rugby Union academy system where he began developing the practical elements of coaching across both the Borders and Edinburgh regions. In 2017 he took an opportunity to move to New Zealand where he spent four and half years working with professional rugby union players in the National Provincial Championship for both Northland Rugby and Southland Stags regions. He has returned to Scotland and is in the process of studying clinical nutrition whilst upskilling in performance psychology. His belief is that even a basic understanding of strength and conditioning is a benefit to absolutely everyone, whether a health conscious individual or a professional athlete.
Qualifications:
– BSc(Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science
– UKSCA (accreditation to TBC)
Reece Hope
Coach
Reece is currently studying BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science at Heriot-Watt University. He spent 10 years at pro-youth football academies, 8 years at Heart of Midlothian F.C and a further 2 years at St. Johnstone F.C . Alongside pro-youth football Reece graduated from the Scottish Football Association performance school which consisted of training, education and workshops providing information on recovery, nutrition and mental performance to enhance athletic performance. He’s joined the Athlete Academy to help his development as a coach and to stoke his desire to improve young athletes to reach high performance.
Calum Maxwell
Coach
Calum is currently pursuing a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science at Heriot-Watt University. With a background in Mountain Biking and sprinting for Lasswade Athletic, Calum developed a strong passion for athletic performance from a young age. He holds an ISAK Level 1 certification, is a Level 2 Gym Instructor, and is working towards his UKSCA trainer qualification.
Calum’s coaching philosophy is rooted in helping athletes of all levels reach their full potential. With a focus on strength and conditioning, he enjoys guiding young athletes through tailored training programs that enhance performance, improve recovery, and support long-term development.
Lewis Cowan
Coach
Lewis is currently studying a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science at Heriot Watt University. He alreadyI holds a Level 2 Gym Instructor Qualification, as well as working towards his S&C Trainer award via the UKSCA.
Lewis’ sporting background is in footbal, where he played as a goalkeepel. However, after stepping away from the sport at 17, he has tapped into an unwavering passion for the gym, and physical wellbeing. Having once been a competitive youth athlete himself, he understands the importance of not just being technically proficient, but also physically competent. Which is why The Athlete Academy has helped provide him with a vehicle to express his passion, in assisting as many youth athletes as possible with their athletic development, in order to give them the edge over their competition within their respective sports.
Ross Veitch
Coach
Lewis is currently studying a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science at Heriot Watt University. He alreadyI holds a Level 2 Gym Instructor Qualification, as well as working towards his S&C Trainer award via the UKSCA.
Lewis’ sporting background is in footbal, where he played as a goalkeepel. However, after stepping away from the sport at 17, he has tapped into an unwavering passion for the gym, and physical wellbeing. Having once been a competitive youth athlete himself, he understands the importance of not just being technically proficient, but also physically competent. Which is why The Athlete Academy has helped provide him with a vehicle to express his passion, in assisting as many youth athletes as possible with their athletic development, in order to give them the edge over their competition within their respective sports.
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