By Avra Sullivan
After graduating with a degree in Exercise Science and Business, Robert Woolley wanted to find a way to offer area youth an edge in getting into college. As a longtime coach here in Queen Anne’s County, he noticed many high school athletes wanting to get into college through sports. However, that avenue can be a tricky one to navigate. Bobby opened up The Edge Training Academy to improve the odds of high school athletes getting into the college of their dreams. This encompasses being the best athletes they can be as well as getting in front of the right audiences.
Through the Edge Training Academy, Bobby and his staff act as a type of agent, helping students ensure they are being seen by the right people at the right time. He can assist with developing on line profiles and making videos of both their training regimen and field-playing time. Bobby understands that preparation for college goes beyond the athletic field. Knowing what is expected from an academic level is just as important.
The Edge Training Facility targets students in grades six to eight who want to begin either the high school or college recruitment process, which can be daunting. “Many athletes and their families are somewhat blind to the intricate process of recruitment,” says Bobby. Times have changed and recruitment is stricter and beginning earlier.
The Academy focuses on areas such as speed, agility and body awareness, both on an individual and group level. Assessing the athletes to determine their strengths and weaknesses is part of the first steps in helping them become the best they can be.
Success isn’t simply found in the physical or technical athletic ability. An understanding of nutrition and overall health is crucial to excelling in any sport. “Just like a car, if you put bad fuel into it, you are going to get bad performance,” he explains. The Edge Training Academy has classes on health, nutrition and the mental preparation, including handling pressure and the importance of focus and commitment.
While Bobby wants to help all participants excel on the field he adds that “success is a way of life. I hope I am helping these students grow into better athletes as well as better individuals.” Bobby starts by asking each student “who do you want to be?” From there they develop goals and come up with a game plan on how to reach those goals. This sets up a “culture of success,” where kids discover that with hard work, commitment and the right guidance, they can succeed at anything, both on and off the field.
The Edge Training Facility will be hosting a grand opening on January 26th from noon to 4pm. There will be door prizes, vendor booths, light fare and training demos. You also can tour the whole facility and meet the staff. For more information visit them online at www.TheEdgeTrainingAcadamy.com or call 443-249-3133. You can reach Bobby directly at 410-490-7512.