Charlie Unwin, 28, of Great Stanhope Street, Bath, who is studying for a masters degree in Sport and Exercise Sciences (Psychology) at Brunel University, Uxbridge, West London, won the Postgraduate Applied Research Award at the annual student conference of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), at the University of Hull on Wednesday (April 1).
Mr Unwin competed as an international modern pentathlete, representing Great Britain in the 2005 World Championships, while serving as an army officer in the Royal Horse Artillery.
“I'm looking at how a coach can give confidence to a crew so that they perform well. I found that if a rowing club sets the right type of goals for its individual rowers, this can dramatically improve the attitudes and confidence of the crew as a whole,“ he said.
He added that he was “actually quite surprised to win it. It came as a bit of a shock but I'm really pleased that my research was recognised against so many others.“
About 300 delegates attended the conference. The prize was a cheque for £100 and a certificate which was presented by Professor Lars McNaughton, head of Sport, Health and Exercise Science at the University of Hull.
Charlie is currently coaching young world-class athletes on a UK Sport-funded programme in London. When he completes his course this summer he intends to set up a sports consultancy company in his home town of Bath.
Notes to Editors
Further details from Brunel University Press Office: email: press-office@brunel.ac.uk 01895 265585. Charlie can be contacted on: mob: 07799-713 366. email: charlieunwin@hotmail.com
Caption: Professor Lars McNaughton, of the University of Hull, presenting Charlie Unwin with the BASES award