Blending sports and science

Comprehensive training and recovery services
Garren Smith embarked on a transformative six-year academic endeavour in South Africa, immersing himself in the disciplines of sport science and biokinetics.
Phillipus Josef
Windhoek Pro Sport Performance Academy (WPSPA) is a state-of-the-art performance and recovery centre located in Windhoek, catering to both professional and amateur athletes of all ages. For about four years, WPSPA has been offering a broad spectrum of performance-enhancing services, including performance testing, specialised training camps, strength and conditioning programmes and expert coaching. Additionally, the centre provides extensive recovery services such as injury rehabilitation, compression boots, video analysis and ice baths, among other things.

WPSPA is dedicated to delivering integrated performance training through a modern, multidisciplinary approach to conditioning and injury rehabilitation.

Garren Smith, the founder and owner of WPSPA, embarked on a transformative six-year academic endeavour in South Africa, immersing himself in the disciplines of sport science and biokinetics. Reflecting on the centre's mission, he said: "Our holistic approach ensures that athletes not only reach their peak performance, but also maintain their health and well-being throughout their athletic careers".

WPSPA's commitment to excellence is evident in its integrated training methodologies, which are tailored to meet the unique needs of each athlete. The centre's performance testing services provide detailed insights into an athlete's strengths and areas for improvement, forming the basis for personalised training programmes. Training camps offer intensive, focused training sessions that push athletes to their limits and help them achieve their full potential.



Critical component

Recovery is a critical component of the WPSPA experience. "Injury rehabilitation services are tailored to help athletes recover swiftly and safely, minimising downtime and promoting long-term health," Smith explained. "Advanced recovery tools like compression boots and ice baths aid in reducing muscle soreness and accelerating the recovery process. Video analysis offers a visual understanding of performance, allowing for precise adjustments and improvements."

Beginning with a bachelor's degree in sport science from Stellenbosch University in 2016, he pursued further specialisation, obtaining an honours degree sport and exercise science from the University of the Western Cape in 2017, followed by a bachelor of science honours degree in biokinetics from Stellenbosch University in 2018.

These educational pursuits laid the groundwork for Smith's career as a sport scientist and biokineticist.

A massive milestone has been the establishment of the academy, where he specialises in biokinetics, strength and conditioning, and team performance services.

Collaborating closely with Namibian athletes and teams, Smith has witnessed their growth and success firsthand.

Notable among his achievements was his role as the sport scientist for the Brave Warriors football team during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

His contributions led to the team's historic first-ever win and progression to the round of 16.

Smith said he draws inspiration from the words of Nelson Mandela: "Sport has the power to change the world".

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Namibian Sun 2024-07-06

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Currie Cup: Cell C Sharks XV 25 vs 26 Fidelity ADT Lions | Suzuki Griquas 24 vs 44 Airlink Pumas Rugby World Cup U20: Australia U20 12 vs 17 Italy U20 | South Africa U20 12 vs 31 Argentina U20 | England U20 48 vs 11 Fiji U20 | France U20 26 vs 27 New Zealand U20 | Wales U20 31 vs 10 Spain U20 | Ireland U20 22 vs 16 Georgia U20 Katima Mulilo: 8° | 32° Rundu: 8° | 30° Eenhana: 10° | 31° Oshakati: 9° | 28° Ruacana: 13° | 31° Tsumeb: 12° | 27° Otjiwarongo: 8° | 25° Omaruru: 8° | 24° Windhoek: 6° | 20° Gobabis: 8° | 27° Henties Bay: 12° | 18° Wind speed: 17km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 09:41, High tide: 03:38, Low Tide: 22:03, High tide: 16:09 Swakopmund: 13° | 16° Wind speed: 14km/h, Wind direction: W, Low tide: 09:39, High tide: 03:36, Low Tide: 22:01, High tide: 16:07 Walvis Bay: 12° | 18° Wind speed: 17km/h, Wind direction: W, Low tide: 09:39, High tide: 03:35, Low Tide: 22:01, High tide: 16:06 Rehoboth: 5° | 20° Mariental: 5° | 20° Keetmanshoop: 5° | 15° Aranos: 5° | 23° Lüderitz: 12° | 16° Ariamsvlei: 7° | 13° Oranjemund: 12° | 16° Luanda: 20° | 22° Gaborone: 7° | 26° Lubumbashi: 11° | 30° Mbabane: 6° | 27° Maseru: 1° | 18° Antananarivo: 9° | 25° Lilongwe: 14° | 28° Maputo: 13° | 28° Windhoek: 6° | 20° Cape Town: 10° | 15° Durban: 9° | 23° Johannesburg: 8° | 18° Dar es Salaam: 23° | 29° Lusaka: 14° | 28° Harare: 12° | 25° Currency: GBP to NAD 23.23 | EUR to NAD 19.68 | CNY to NAD 2.5 | USD to NAD 18.16 | DZD to NAD 0.13 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.29 | EGP to NAD 0.37 | KES to NAD 0.14 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.73 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.32 | RUB to NAD 0.21 | INR to NAD 0.22 | USD to DZD 134.16 | USD to AOA 871.26 | USD to BWP 13.56 | USD to EGP 47.96 | USD to KES 127.98 | USD to NGN 1515.35 | USD to ZAR 18.23 | USD to ZMW 24.45 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index Same 0 | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1791.53 Down -0.7% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 13367.73 Up +0.54% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 28364.79 Up +0.72% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI 9380.4 Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 391.62/OZ UP +1.48% | Copper US$ 4.67/lb UP +2.36% | Zinc US$ 3 017.00/T UP 0.01% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 87.46/BBP DOWN -0.0079 | Platinum US$ 1 027.76/OZ UP +2.82% Sport results: Currie Cup: Cell C Sharks XV 25 vs 26 Fidelity ADT Lions | Suzuki Griquas 24 vs 44 Airlink Pumas Rugby World Cup U20: Australia U20 12 vs 17 Italy U20 | South Africa U20 12 vs 31 Argentina U20 | England U20 48 vs 11 Fiji U20 | France U20 26 vs 27 New Zealand U20 | Wales U20 31 vs 10 Spain U20 | Ireland U20 22 vs 16 Georgia U20 Weather: Katima Mulilo: 8° | 32° Rundu: 8° | 30° Eenhana: 10° | 31° Oshakati: 9° | 28° Ruacana: 13° | 31° Tsumeb: 12° | 27° Otjiwarongo: 8° | 25° Omaruru: 8° | 24° Windhoek: 6° | 20° Gobabis: 8° | 27° Henties Bay: 12° | 18° Wind speed: 17km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 09:41, High tide: 03:38, Low Tide: 22:03, High tide: 16:09 Swakopmund: 13° | 16° Wind speed: 14km/h, Wind direction: W, Low tide: 09:39, High tide: 03:36, Low Tide: 22:01, High tide: 16:07 Walvis Bay: 12° | 18° Wind speed: 17km/h, Wind direction: W, Low tide: 09:39, High tide: 03:35, Low Tide: 22:01, High tide: 16:06 Rehoboth: 5° | 20° Mariental: 5° | 20° Keetmanshoop: 5° | 15° Aranos: 5° | 23° Lüderitz: 12° | 16° Ariamsvlei: 7° | 13° Oranjemund: 12° | 16° Luanda: 20° | 22° Gaborone: 7° | 26° Lubumbashi: 11° | 30° Mbabane: 6° | 27° Maseru: 1° | 18° Antananarivo: 9° | 25° Lilongwe: 14° | 28° Maputo: 13° | 28° Windhoek: 6° | 20° Cape Town: 10° | 15° Durban: 9° | 23° Johannesburg: 8° | 18° Dar es Salaam: 23° | 29° Lusaka: 14° | 28° Harare: 12° | 25° Economic Indicators: Currency: GBP to NAD 23.23 | EUR to NAD 19.68 | CNY to NAD 2.5 | USD to NAD 18.16 | DZD to NAD 0.13 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.29 | EGP to NAD 0.37 | KES to NAD 0.14 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.73 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.32 | RUB to NAD 0.21 | INR to NAD 0.22 | USD to DZD 134.16 | USD to AOA 871.26 | USD to BWP 13.56 | USD to EGP 47.96 | USD to KES 127.98 | USD to NGN 1515.35 | USD to ZAR 18.23 | USD to ZMW 24.45 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index Same 0 | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1791.53 Down -0.7% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 13367.73 Up +0.54% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 28364.79 Up +0.72% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI 9380.4 Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 391.62/OZ UP +1.48% | Copper US$ 4.67/lb UP +2.36% | Zinc US$ 3 017.00/T UP 0.01% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 87.46/BBP DOWN -0.0079 | Platinum US$ 1 027.76/OZ UP +2.82%