-Pip-Barr-Leza-Milligan-Sam-Gold-and-Jo-Chisholm-at-the-launch-of-Optimise-Fou.jpeg?trim=0,0,0,0&width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
More than 100 people gathered to celebrate the launch of Optimise Foundation, a charity set up in Farnham to promote awareness of female physiology in sports.
Founded by Leza Milligan, Optimise Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation working to empower girls and women to stay active in sport and injury free by understanding and adapting their exercise, nutrition and recovery around their own physiology.
Ultra-athlete and Optimise ambassador Sophie Power said: “I support Optimise so all women and girls should be empowered to fully understand our bodies, so we can engage in sport and perform at our best throughout our lives.”
Farnham resident and three-time world duathlon champion Emma Pallant-Browne said: “As an elite athlete, I understand the importance of training around my physiology.
“For Optimise to champion and communicate this at a grassroots level is innovative and progressive – empowering local clubs, schools, coaches and female athletes of all ages to avoid injury and improve health and performance outcomes.”
Milligan kicked off the launch with a speech explaining how Optimise started, thanking the Farnham professionals involved to date, and the foundation's plans for 2025.
Hannah Owen, associate lecturer at St Mary's Twickenham and Premiership rugby player, highlighted the importance of translating academic insight into impact in grassroots sport.
Farnham Runners chairwoman Nicola O'Connor spoke about the positive impact Optimise Foundation's programme to support post-menopausal runners at the club had on her health and confidence, and indicated her intention to contribute her own science and communication background to the foundation.
Weydon School head of PE Lucy Harper gave an insight into the day-to-day achievements and challenges faced by her young female athletes in training and performance, and her strategies to help them navigate these.
She described the benefits of the education shared by Optimise with Year 10 PE students and invited Optimise to return to Weydon to educate other age groups.