If you have a child attending Newcastle Public Schools in grades three through 12, they will now have the option of participating in a summer workout program. As well, NPS students who participate in a sport at Newcastle High School will be lifting weights.
Their program will be specific to their sport, thanks to the hire of 36-year veteran Strength and Conditioning Coach Tim Gray.
The coach was recently hired as a way to make and keep Newcastle competitive in its new Class 5A level.
Athletic Director Brent Hodges said he and Superintendent Dr. Cathy Walker identified strength and conditioning as a must-have in order to be competitive in Class 5A sports. Hodges said all sports this year are now Class 5A with the exception of Varsity Girls Fast Pitch Softball, which will continue its final season of Class 4A.
Hodges said Gray is a motivator of young kids and athletes. He will work with every student athlete either during the day or after school. Hodges said he has known Gray for many years. He said both of Gray’s sons played college football.
Gray will work with the Newcastle coaches and develop workout plans for all sports.
“When the buy-in is there from the athlete and the parents, they’ll see a lot of value in what we are doing,” Hodges said. “This can be transformational for an athletic program.”
