The BUAFL Sports Science group seeks to draw together those students and practitioners who are involved in the multi-disciplinary field of sports science and provide a platform for the dissemination of their knowledge and skills to enhance football programmes the length and breadth of the country.
Alongside writing weekly articles which may be of interest to athletes and coaches, the members of the committee attend national workshops and seminars on behalf of the League to ensure that we are providing our members cutting edge information.
The Reseach Group Consists headed by Dr Elesa Argent consists of:
Dr. Elesa Argent BA (Hons), MSc, PhD is an experienced sports and fitness professional. Having graduated from Loughborough University in 2006 with a PhD in Sport Science, Elesa is currently employed as a Senior Lecturer in Sport Studies at the University of Hertfordshire, in addition to being the Head of Research for BUAFL. Previous to this, Dr. Argent spent many years working within the sports sector, in positions as diverse as FE and HE Sports Studies lecturer (City of Westminster College, Loughborough College, Loughborough University), Sports Editor and Features Writer, Spin instructor, Pilates instructor, assistant weightlifting coach, aerobics instructor, personal trainer, project support for a global sports challenge (IBM Global Services) and Head of Operations for a South African investment banking consultancy.
Elesa recently qualified as an assistant American football coach and was previously a team member of the 2003 Loughborough Goldrush squad that won the universities national cheerleading title that year. Elesa was also previously a natural bodybuilding regional champion (Figure category) and two-time British finalist.
Dr. Argent has spoken at a number of national and international academic conferences, including the North American Society for Sport Management, the European Association for Sport Management and the British Psychological Society, and published in a number of academic journals. She is also a member of the North American Society for Sport Management. Her research interests include the strategic development of the sport of american football in the UK, development of character and leadership via sport participation, natural bodybuilding and boxing.
Contact: research@buafl.net
Lindsy Kass, BSc (Hons), MSc (Distinction), RNutr Lindsy is an experienced sport scientist and fitness trainer. She has worked for over 15 years in the fitness industry and for more than 8 years as a Sports Nutritionist and Sports Scientist both with elite and recreational athletes in sports as diverse as cycling, triathlon, rugby, football, rowing and tennis. Lindsy is a Registered Nutritionist and a member of the British Association of Sports and Exercise Science (BASES). She has been involved in regular collaborative work with elite athletes, their coaches and their physiotherapists as well as advising schools on healthy eating. Lindsy lectures at the University of Hertfordshire in Sport Science and Sport Nutrition and has guest lectured at other institutions.
Lindsy sits on the registration committee of the newly formed Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register, a partnership between the Nutrition Society, the British Dietetics Society and (BASES).
Lindsy regularly demonstrates her understanding of current theory and practices of nutrition and sport science through both her work within academia and through work as a self-employed nutritionist. She has lectured to health professionals on the subject of obesity and has written for consumer journals as well as international journals. Lindsy has also undertaken several research projects including looking at the effect of various sports drinks, the effect of magnesium on recovery and the effects of sodium bicarbonate.
Lindsy maintains a keen interest in sport and exercise regularly participating in both team and individual sports. She is BAWLA qualified and has had many years experience of weight training and gym work. Her competitive nature and natural enthusiasm along with her wealth of experience allows her to give the best advice and impart knowledge to all athletes in an informative yet interesting way.
Contact: researchlk@buafl.net
Jon Wyse Jon is an experienced and well respected coach (and player) in British American Football. He has been a member of the British American Football Coaches Association (BAFCA) since 1994, and has presented at several BAFCA Conventions and workshop clinics. He began his coaching career in 1992 with the Staffordshire University Stallions, progressing from assistant coach, to Offensive Coordinator, to becoming Head Coach from 1995-98. He was also Head Coach of the Staffordshire Surge (British American Football League - BAFL) from 1997-98. Following a couple of work-related relocations, he was the Assistant Head Coach at the Plymouth University Blitz from 2000-2003, and also at the Colchester Gladiators (BAFL) in 2005. He also served on the coaching staff at the Plymouth Admirals (BAFL) from 2001-2002.
Coach Wyse has been a coach for the Great Britain Bulldogs, the National Student team, from 1998-2003. At the G.B. Bulldogs, he coached Wide Receivers before moving onto coordinating the Special Teams and working as the Psychological Skills Coach.
One of his most cherished achievements was in being asked in 2007 to assist the Woodham Warriors during the NFL Flag Football World Championships in New Orleans. The Warriors (from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham) finished a creditable 7th place IN THE WORLD, and Wyse continues to help the team develop as they progress into the kitted game.
Currently, he is Director of Education for the British American Football Coaches’ Association, leading in the development of the Coach Education & Qualifications Programme.
Outside of american football, Jon exhibits a successful career in sport science and physical education. He graduated from Staffordshire University with an honours degree in Sport Science, and is currently employed at Filton College, at the WISE campus in Bristol, where he manages the Sports Academy & Franchise Development Department.
Contact: researchjw@buafl.net
