Sportscape Education: Walsall FC scholars make their own energy drinks while learning the importance of hydration in sport as part of their education apprenticeship

Walsall FC second-year scholars have been making energy drinks to match specific moments in a football match.

They took a deep dive into the science of sports nutrition as part of their Level 3 BTEC in Sports Excellence and Performance with Sportscape Education.

In the recent Unit 4 (Nutrition) practical lesson, the focus was on a vital aspect for any athlete, hydration.

The session explored the different types of hydration and how they relate to football performance.

Scholars were tasked with creating drinks tailored to different parts of a football match, pre-game, during, and post-event.

Each drink was designed with purpose, isotonic drinks were crafted with higher salt content to replace sodium lost through sweat, while hypertonic drinks were packed with carbohydrates to replenish energy used during play.

Beyond hydration, the lesson also touched on energy expenditure and intake.

Learners had to ensure their drinks provided the right calorie balance in line with energy needs, adding an ingredients list to support their assignment.

The hands-on approach gave students a real-world understanding of how proper nutrition fuels performance on the field.

The fun didn't stop there - the students also got to try and taste the drinks they created!

This interactive method of learning not only helped consolidate their knowledge but made the experience memorable and enjoyable.

As the saying goes, "making memories makes learning easier," and this practical lesson certainly hit the mark for these young athletes and highlights Sportscape Education’s teaching style in terms of hands-on learning being key to an apprentice’s learning journey.