When the close-season fitness programmes were handed out at the start of May there was one player whose eyes lit up.
Dean Lewington was delighted to see the importance of ‘active recovery’ on the pack handed out to the players, which is designed to keep their fitness ticking over during their holidays before they return for pre-season.
The term ‘active recovery’ means one thing to the Dons’ skipper – time on the golf course. Fitness, strength and conditioning coach Damien Doyle encourages players to do light, yet active work which will help them over the summer months.
Lewington said: “Walking around the golf course is ‘good active recovery’ according to Damo so it’s good to get the thumbs up from the fitness coach! It’s a nice way of spending a couple of hours to keep the fitness ticking over and to make sure I’m not getting fat.
It may be a stereotype that footballers spent their time away from the pitch on the golf course, but Lewington believes the two sports go hand-in-hand.
“It’s a low impact sport so there’s not much chance of an injury, and it’s kind of the opposite of football. It’s an individual sport rather than a team sport, it’s quiet rather than loud and it seems that a lot of footballers like the peace and quiet of the golf course.