McLaren Applied Technologies host Ideas4Innovation 2011
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The I4I judges at the McLaren Technology Centre
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UK Sport 10 August 2011
The McLaren Technology Centre in Woking has hosted UK Sport’s fourth Ideas4Innovation judging day.
Ideas4Innovation is an award scheme aimed at harnessing exceptional research concepts and proposals which, given sufficient funding and support, could improve British athletes’ performances. Since the scheme was launched in 2008, UK Sport has awarded six prizes of research and development funding of up to £25,000 to students and individuals to invest in their ideas.
UK Sport’s Research and Innovation team is seeking new ideas from Britain’s scientists and engineers in the fields of athlete equipment and accessories, coaching technologies, training science or performance medicine, which could give Britain’s Olympians or Paralympians the edge over their rivals at the Winter Games in Sochi in 2014 or in Rio in 2016.
Out of 56 applications for this year’s award the top eight were selected to attend McLaren Applied Technologies’ research and development centre to present their ideas to a Dragon’s Den-style expert panel comprised of Liz Nicholl, CEO of UK Sport, Dr Scott Drawer, Head of Research and Innovation at UK Sport, Nikolai Bohelke, Research and Innovation Coordinator at UK Sport, Steve Brown, GB Wheelchair Rugby player and Duncan Bradley, Design Director for McLaren Applied Technologies.
Liz Nicholl said: “Being a judge on the Ideas4Innovation panel gave me a fascinating insight into the work of our Research and Innovation team and our innovation partners, McLaren Applied Technologies.
“There were some really interesting submissions, mainly focused on collecting, managing or communicating data derived from measurements; crucial information that can better inform coaches and athletes on their training, preparation and ultimately performance.
“I would like to thank McLaren Applied Technologies for hosting us on the day, providing the perfect setting to foster creativity in performance sport.”
Steve Brown said: “Having witnessed the impact ideas generated through this award scheme can have, I was really excited to be part of the judging panel, and the applicants didn’t disappoint.
“I was genuinely impressed by the standard of the ideas and how the applicants had applied their existing skills, knowledge and expertise to support elite athletes.”
Students are encouraged to apply for Ideas4Innovation via the ‘New Researchers’ entry route, while those outside of higher education can apply via the ‘Garage Innovators’ application process. Winners of the 2011 Ideas4Innovation Awards will be granted up to £25,000 in research funding and access to UK Sport’s extensive innovation partner network to help realise their idea.
Winners will be notified shortly and announced on www.uksport.gov.uk.
Details of, and the application process for, the 2012 Ideas4Innovation Awards will be released soon.
