As sports progress, one thing remains constant throughout every competition. Athletes are going to be big, they are going to be strong, and they pride themselves on being in the best shape possible when taking their respective realms of competition.
In 2006, Valwood School in Hahira, Georgia dedicated the Justin Taylor Hobdy Weight Room on its campus. With notable assistance from the (Chris) Manwell family, James Warren, Dr. Gee, Brooks Akins, and John Lastinger, the weight room proved to be a tremendous asset, as the facility has helped shape champions both on and off the field.
However, as time passes and numbers increase, there is a need for a larger facility as well. And in October 2015, that is exactly what happened. Ground broke on construction of a new training facility on the Valiants’ campus, and the staff is eager regarding the new addition.
“We had outgrown the original weight room,” said Valwood head football coach Ashley Henderson. “You couldn’t comfortably lift 16 kids in there. We can now lift almost triple that amount in the new facility.”
Located behind the Valwood campus between the gymnasium and the practice field, the 2500-square-foot facility will include state-of-the-art weight room equipment as well as a large open space with indoor turf. It is expected to be put to use as soon as the flooring is completed and equipment is installed.
Heading the development of Valwood’s student athletes within the new facility will be Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Austin Grant. He takes over this position after two years as the Training Director Kinetix Sports Performance in Valdosta.
“Anyone that knows Austin knows how passionate he is about athletic development and all of his athletes,” Coach Henderson said. “We are blessed to have his contagious energy and thorough knowledge he brings to the table. He’s been involved in the football team’s strength and conditioning program as a consultant for two years now, and the results speak for themselves. He’ll be a tremendous asset to all of our sport programs now.”
Grant’s familiarity with the football team should help to provide a seamless transition into working with athletes from all of Valwood’s athletic teams. And with a bigger workspace, the opportunity should prove to be fruitful.
“The facility is a much larger training space with brand new equipment,” Grant said. “The athletic programming, the approach to training, and the push to get all sports involved will be the biggest change to the school.”
As previously stated, perhaps the biggest change that will come from the implementation of the new facility will be the push to make it accessible for every student-athlete in the school. Not only that, use will be extended beyond just the students themselves.
“All athletic teams will use the training facility,” Grant said. “It will also be available to the faculty, parents and families through designated fitness class times.”
With the new facility’s opening, the school will quickly take advantage of the new opportunity to build and train their student-athletes. Also, although there is a new venue for training on the campus, that will not eliminate use of the former weight room.
“The current weight room will still be utilized,” Coach Henderson said. “It will be used as the practice space for cheerleaders, wrestling team, or any other sport that may need the room at that time.”
It will be exciting to witness the growth of Valwood’s campus and athletic programs in the years to come. And if the quality produced within the confines of the previous weight room is any indication, Valiant faithful should prepare for pleasing results for years to come.
In the Game / April 2016
Training Facility
Valwood School
Hahira, Georgia
Valwood Preps New Training Facility
By James A. Washington
