Launching the GetPRO Professional Grassroots Sports Nutrition Grant
Danone UK & Ireland’s GetPRO Professional programme includes free evidence-based resources and funding to support sports nutritionists working with local clubs and teams.
3 July 2024. London, UK — Danone UK & Ireland launched a new initiative today at the annual European College of Sports Science’s (ECSS) congress in Glasgow aimed at sports nutritionists looking to work with athletes and people of all fitness levels. The new programme, GetPRO Professional, was developed with a panel of leading sports nutrition experts and provides professional tools, mentorship opportunities and funding to support sports nutritionists working with non-elite athletes and local sports clubs.
GetPRO Professional has been created to put sports nutrition at the heart of community sport. Typically, only elite athletes are likely to have access to expert support from sports or performance nutritionists. This new initiative from Danone has been created to make sports nutrition more accessible to all athletes, regardless of their level.
The GetPRO Professional Grassroots Sports Nutrition Grant, which is the funding element of the programme, is hosted in proud partnership with The Nutrition Society. The grant will provide funds to sports nutritionists in the early stages of their careers (within ten years of their latest graduation) who are looking to provide expert, evidence-based support to local grassroots sports clubs and teams.
Mark Hollingsworth, CEO of The Nutrition Society, said: “The new grant programme will create new pathways for sports nutritionists who are passionate about contributing to the health and fitness goals of everyday athletes and sporting enthusiasts, utilising evidence-based nutrition science. We’re proud to work alongside GetPRO Professional to make this happen.”
The GetPRO Professional programme also includes a new online hub, which provides practical tools and resources that sports nutritionists can use to provide practical and evidence-based nutrition advice to local grassroots teams and clubs. These free-to-use, evidence-based learning and delivery resources were co-developed with a panel of leading sports nutrition experts and cover topics such as hydration, fuelling requirement and recovery, as well as blogs on how to change behaviour and mentorship for early career sports nutritionists.
Robert Browne, Danone UK & Ireland’s Senior Science Communications Manager, said: “This programme aims to make sports nutrition accessible to all. By empowering early career nutritionists and supporting local grassroots teams, GetPRO Professional is building a future where every athlete, regardless of their level, can access the nutrition support they need to reach their goals.”
Oliver Witard, Senior Lecturer in Exercise Metabolism and Nutrition at Kings College London, said: “The world of sports nutrition is constantly evolving. The tools made available on the GetPRO Professional hub can help professionals to make sense of the latest research and how to apply it to real-world situations. I would recommend these resources to anyone involved in nutrition and interested in translating the latest evidence-based science to non-specialists.”
Applications for the GetPRO Professional Grassroots Sports Nutrition Grant are being accepted until 18 August 2024, with awards of up to £2000 available for the proposals which will deliver the most impact.