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Writer's pictureJames Donnelly

Player Case Study: Noah's Journey to Enhanced Fitness and Confidence

Updated: Nov 14


Player Overview:


  • Age: 14

  • Location: England

  • Current Level: Playing at a professional club

  • Position: Right Back (RB), Right Wing (RW)

  • Ultimate Career Dream: To play at a higher league and secure a two-year contract with his current team


Initial Goals: Noah joined the Matchfit programme with the aim of improving his fitness, speed, and strength, while also working on his mindset, particularly in handling mistakes during games. His short-term goals included developing a better mindset, increasing his belief in himself, and improving his fitness. Over the next six months, he aimed to become stronger, quicker, and more confident on the ball, ultimately striving to secure a two-year contract with his current team within a year.


Initial Situation: Before joining the programme, Noah was a talented player recovering from a significant injury—an infected bone that required surgery in August. This injury had impacted his motivation, stamina, and confidence, leaving him feeling behind his teammates when he returned to play. His primary focus was on regaining his physical fitness and speed, while also working on his mental resilience to overcome the challenges of returning from injury.


Reasons for Joining Matchfit: Noah joined the Matchfit programme to rebuild his fitness, enhance his stamina, and develop a stronger mindset. He was motivated by the desire to regain his physical edge and to keep pace with his teammates, who had advanced while he was recovering. Additionally, he aimed to believe in himself more, especially under pressure in matches.


Improvements Observed: Within just 90 days of starting, Noah has already made significant progress across several key areas:


  • Strength: Noah's max press-ups increased by an impressive 120%, showing substantial gains in upper body strength. His max plank time also improved by 33%, reflecting stronger core stability.


  • Agility and Speed: His T Test score, which measures agility, improved by 42%, and his 505 agility test times improved by 11.8% on the left side and 17.35% on the right side, indicating better balance and change of direction speed. Notably, his 30m fly sprint time improved by 30%, highlighting a significant boost in his straight-line top-end speed and acceleration.


  • Stamina and Endurance: Noah’s stamina and endurance improved by 11.11%, allowing him to maintain a higher level of performance throughout matches.



Performance Changes: These physical improvements have translated into better match performances. Noah has become more engaged in his position, using his increased speed, strength and stamina to cover more ground and effectively participate in both defensive and offensive plays. His confidence is also growing as he begins to see the results of his hard work, particularly in his ability to stay composed and focused during games.


Confidence and Mentality: One of the key areas of improvement for Noah was his mindset. Within 1-2 months of joining the Matchfit programme, his confidence began to return. He became more resilient in dealing with mistakes during matches, which allowed him to focus on the game rather than dwelling on errors.


Programme Flexibility: Noah found the different exercises and workouts targeting various parts of the body particularly beneficial. The programme's structure allowed him to progressively build strength and fitness in a way that was manageable and effective. He appreciated how each workout was designed to strengthen specific areas, which contributed to his overall improvement.


Player’s Perspective: Noah enjoyed the variety of exercises and the focus on different muscle groups, which he found both challenging and rewarding. The structured approach helped him stay motivated and committed to his training, especially as he began to see tangible improvements.


Hypothetical Scenario Without Matchfit: Without the Matchfit programme, Noah likely would have continued to struggle with his speed, stamina, and strength, potentially leaving him behind his teammates in terms of physical and mental development. His confidence might have remained low, affecting his ability to perform at his best and reducing his chances of securing the two-year contract he aspires to achieve.


Conclusion: Noah’s journey through the Matchfit programme so far has already led to significant gains in fitness, strength, and confidence—all within just the first 90 days of a 12-month training process. The progress he's made so far is a strong indicator of the even greater improvements that are likely to come as he continues with the programme.


With substantial enhancements in his speed, agility, and overall endurance—evidenced by impressive percentage gains across key fitness metrics—he is now better equipped to compete at his current level and pursue his goal of earning a two-year contract with his team. The programme is not only helping Noah to regain his physical edge but has also strengthened his mindset, enabling him to approach his football career with renewed confidence and determination.


If you'd like more details about the programme which Noah has been implementing, click the image below:




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