2nd October 2023 – Podium Analytics (“Podium”), the NGO and charity committed to reducing injury in youth and grassroots sport, is excited to announce Steven McRae, principal dancer with The Royal Ballet, as an Athlete Ambassador.

Steven brings to Podium his passion to deliver better support and practices for the next generation to ensure young people’s long-term participation in the sports and arts.

His first-hand experience of the devastating impact of injury, caused through long-term physical and mental burnout, makes Steven an advocate for greater understanding of the causal effects of injury and the need to empower teachers and coaches to better support young people in their formative years to deliver lasting change.

Commenting on his appointment, Steven McRae said: “I am honoured to be an ambassador for Podium Analytics – I was instantly inspired by their mission. Having experienced the challenges of devastating injury first-hand, I know only too well the importance of taking the right steps to prevent injury from happening – both physically and mentally. I am passionate to ensure the next generation of young people can benefit from the transformational power of sport and the arts, and Podium’s work will form an important part of this.”

Andy Hunt, CEO of Podium Analytics, said: “We are delighted to have Steven join Podium as an Athlete Ambassador. Steven’s personal injury experience, combined with his dedication to make a real change for future generations resonates closely with our work. The appointment further complements the work we are already undertaking with The Royal Ballet School to better understand workload and the

Steven McRae is an Australian dancer, currently a Principal of The Royal Ballet. He was awarded a scholarship for The Royal Ballet School at the Prix de Lausanne in 2003. After graduating to The Royal Ballet in 2004, he was promoted to First Artist in 2005, Soloist in 2006 and Principal in 2009. He was awarded Best Male Dancer at the Critic’s Circle Dance Awards 2012. In 2019, Steven snapped his Achilles tendon during a live performance at The Royal Ballet – a potentially career-ending injury. Following extensive rehabilitation and work over the subsequent two years, Steven defied expectations and stepped back onto the stage to perform again in October 2021.
 

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACTS

Louisa O’Riordan - 07789 658 798 louisa.o’riordan@podiumanalytics.org

Orla Chapman - podiumanalytics@headlandconsultancy.com

ABOUT PODIUM ANALYTICS

Podium Analytics is an NGO, registered as a charity (England, Wales and Scotland) with a vision to create a safer world of sport. Founded by Ron Dennis CBE, its mission is to significantly reduce the incidence and impact of sports injury, with a focus on 11–18-year-olds. Podium’s team is made up of hand-picked specialists with proven expertise in business, academia, science, technology and sport, who share in a sense of responsibility for shaping a safer legacy for sport. SportSmart is the schools and clubs programme from Podium Analytics, designed to help PE teachers and sport coaches deliver safer sport.

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