Recently, I have had a number of enquiries about online or virtual training for younger athletes, especially who cannot make it into our supervised sessions. Our app that we use, Train Heroic has a great tool developed, to allow you to sign up and have programming delivered weekly, so you always have something to follow.
Our model is heavily influenced by the Australian Strength and Conditioning Position Statement on Child and Youth training and we take other influences from world leading models, such as Vern Gambetta, who has been a pioneer of sorts in the LTAD arena for a long time.
Glenn Hansen, our head Strength and Conditoning Coach has been working with children and youth athletes for more than 20 years and understands the importance of a mix between fun and learning in the sessions we program. We also understand how busy people are and how stretched for time we all are.
Why is it worth the investment?
1. Long-Term Athletic Development, Not Short-Term Results
Most junior athletes are exposed to training that is reactive, inconsistent, or performance-chasing. A structured strength and conditioning pathway provides progressive, age-appropriate development that respects growth, maturation, and training age.
A long-term program ensures that athletes:
- Build foundational movement competency before loading or intensifying training
- Develop strength, speed, and resilience in the right order
- Avoid the common trap of early specialisation or excessive competition load
For parents, this is an investment in durability and sustainability, not just this season’s performance. The goal is not to create the best 14-year-old athlete—but to support the healthiest and most capable 18-year-old, and beyond.
2. Injury Risk Reduction Through Structured Preparation
Injury is one of the biggest disruptors to junior sport participation, confidence, and enjoyment. Many injuries occur not because sport is unsafe, but because athletes are under-prepared for the physical demands placed on them.
A structured strength and conditioning program:
- Improves movement quality, strength, and tissue capacity
- Prepares joints and muscles for running, jumping, contact, and change of direction
- Helps athletes tolerate school sport, club sport, representative pathways, and growth-related changes
For parents, this is about keeping their child on the field, not sidelined by preventable injuries or chronic niggles.
3. Confidence, Accountability, and Healthy Training Habits
Perhaps the most overlooked benefit is the psychological and behavioural impact of a structured program.
When young athletes follow a guided pathway:
- They understand why they are training, not just what to do
- They develop confidence in their body and physical abilities
- They learn discipline, consistency, and ownership of their development
This builds healthy relationships with training and exercise that extend well beyond junior sport. Parents are not just investing in athletic performance—they are supporting lifelong physical confidence and self-belief.
Why This Matters at Vector Health & Performance
At Vector Health & Performance, our junior athlete pathway is built on the belief that care, structure, and education matter. Taking this program online allows us to support young athletes with the same principles we apply in our clinics and gyms—just delivered at scale, with clarity and purpose.
If these three pillars align with your thinking, the next step is to translate them into a parent-focused narrative that clearly answers one question:
“How does this help my child stay healthy, confident, and capable over the long term?”
The programs provide 2 main levels of work, and we have provided links to the program below.
How to sign up for the program:
Go to Train Heroic – search for Glenn Hansen or click on one of the below links:
https://marketplace.trainheroic.com/workout-plan/team/ltad-elevate-field-sport-2-strength-2-speed-fitness-level-2a-b ( This program is for ages 10-12 mainly, or for older athletes who are just starting or do not have access to a gym space. I would think that this program would be suitable for a year then upgrade to another level.
(The above program is for athletes who already have access to a gym or gym equipment: Suitable for anywhere from 12 and up.
The programs work on a subscription with no lock-in phase. They provide a 7 day trial to make sure it is suitable. You are able to provide feedback to our coaches for assistance and if there are any issues we cannot solve quickly, we can offer an appointment with one of our coaches either in-person or virtually, to problem-solve and help you figure things out.