Cambridge United Academy’s Life Skills programme got off to a fantastic start this week with an engaging workshop led by Marc Pugh – former Premier League footballer and now widely known as The Foodie Footballer…
Marc, who has been working closely with the club for the past three years, delivered an in-depth session on the importance of nutrition for performance.
The workshop focused on how a balanced diet can help players maximise their energy levels, recover effectively, and maintain peak performance on the pitch.
Following the presentation, the U’s scholars swapped the training ground for the kitchen, taking part in a hands-on cooking activity. Together, they prepared French toast – a simple but highly effective pre-match meal – reinforcing the practical side of fuelling correctly ahead of games.
Academy Head of Education, Harsh Joshi, praised the impact of the session, saying, “It was a fantastic workshop that really brought theory into practice for the scholars. We’ve been working with Marc for over three years now, and his expertise in nutrition continues to give our scholars that extra edge.”
Reflecting on the session, Marc Pugh added, “It was a pleasure to spend time with such a fantastic group of players. We discussed the importance of nutrition for elite performance, recovery, and overall health, and the lads were full of thoughtful questions and enthusiasm.
“We covered key topics such as protein, carb loading, healthy fats, hydration, sleep, good habits and goal setting. Then, to put the learning into practice, the lads got hands-on in the kitchen and produced some excellent French toast.
“A huge thank you to Harsh for his support and for the great work he’s doing at Cambridge United FC – he’s making a real difference.”
The session marked a strong start to the Life Skills programme, equipping scholars not only with valuable knowledge for their football careers but also with essential skills for life beyond the game.
