Grace Baron
Aspull,Greater Manchester
Summary
Experience working with aspiring athletes across motorsport drivers, academy footballers and both national & international karate athletes demonstrating a commitment to fostering determination and resilience of athletes. Over 10 years experience competing at an international level, representing England, and now coaching athletes towards European championships. Recognised for providing an outstanding elite sporting insight from an athlete and coaching perspective that is applicable to many scenarios. Motivated in assisting athletes on enhancing strength, speed and injury prevention strategies to prepare them for competitive challenges through field and laboratory testing and training. With an academic background including a Masters Strength & Conditioning and Undergraduate Degree in Sports Coaching, expertises‘ are emphasised in training design, practical coaching and fitness testing across a range of sports. Undergraduate research undertaken allowed for a karate-specific testing battery to be used by clubs, showcasing practical implications for coaches and also athletes development. With strong communication and organisation skills from a range of experiences and attention to detail, provides me with setting the highest standards in practice.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work history
McLaren F1 Team Nurture Cohort 2025-26
Girls On Track
Woking, Surrey
2025.02 - 2026.02
- Networking with professionals in the motorsport field to assist in gaining hands on experience as a future motorsport performance coach.
- Trusted with sensitive and competitive team data and analytics.
- Hands on experience conducting fitness testing and education into the importance of health for the UK Motorsport Academy Karting drivers for females in December 2025 in Northamptonshire at a talent identification and progression day.
- Supported with employment searching and next steps and goals
Research assistant
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester
2026.01 - Current
- As an assistant to a students PhD novel research looking into the physical and psychological demands and markers of motorsport drivers.
- Aid in data collection using VALD force plates and dynamometers to assess neck strength, trunk rotation, hand grip and upper and lower body strength all while managing lab inventory effectively.
- Testing both male and female drivers across several series including F3 & F4, having the opportunity to collaborate with More Than Equal and the Motorsport UK Academy drivers to enhance their understanding of their progression and next steps for success.
- All data collected is documented meticulously to allow for repeatability and reliability of testing.
- By strategically using soft skills to ensure the drivers, chaperones and staff are at ease or to answer any questions to encourage for a smooth running of testing and also make enjoyable and memorable experiences for everyone.
Karate Instructor
Sono Karate
Greater Manchester & Lancashire
2024.03 - Current
- Co-owner and senior instructor teaching all ages and abilities of students aged 4+ within large group class settings, elite squad training and 1:1 settings.
- Trained and coached England National Karate Team students for competitive events, achieving high standards of excellence within the WUKF by winning medals and improving on past performance scores.
- Planned the logistics, organised and led grading days with over 80 students grading at any one time and also sitting on the grading panel for black belt gradings to monitor and approve students towards their goals.
- Implemented health and safety regulations, maintaining a safe training environment.
- Customised training sessions that are suitable for those with hidden learning difficulties to allow them to unlock their potential.
Strength & Conditioning Intern
Wigan Athletic FC Academy
Wigan
2023.10 - 2025.04
- Conducted fitness assessments using force plates, force frames, growth and maturation, anthropometrics and speed gates to provide comprehensive feedback to players, coaches and managers.
- Lead group warm-up and cool-down sessions for full squads of all ages, promoting optimal muscle function for pre and post match days.
- Delivered informative workshops on proper exercise techniques reducing injury risk to younger players to install education behind physicality.
- Facilitated rehabilitation exercises for recovering athletes post surgery, specialising with players who had ACL and hamstring injuries.
- Created bespoke stretching routines thus increasing flexibility and mobility which reduced acute in training/match injury rates by around 50%.
Fitness & health volunteer
Girls On Track
Bicester, Oxfordshire
2025.01 - Current
- As a volunteer for Girls On Track, headed up by Motorsport UK and the FIA, I lead fitness and health initiatives on motorsport experience days for young girls aged 7 to 18 to increase their awareness and possible job opportunities within motorsport
- December 2025 - Whilton Mill: Lead for fitness testing of reactions, mobility and teamwork activities for female karters aged 8-16 where talent identification of individuals progressed onto some receiving UK Motorsport sponsorship for the following year.
- July 2026 - Silverstone Circuit: Race weekend event for school girls aged 7-16 to introduce them to motorsport roles. Speaking with the girls about health and fitness, what steps to take o work towards it and also conduct hands on tasks such as he use of the BATAK and tennis ball drop team games.
- July 2026 - Mercedes HQ: Running several sessions through the day for employees daughters, nieces and goddaughters etc about the fitness demands of working in motorsport as a team member and driver, Also, the importance of warming up to perform your best with underpinnings of the importance teamwork and communication for success.
Karate Instructor
RED TIGER KARATE
Wigan
2021.01 - 2024.03
- Class karate instructor twice a week and assistant kata squad coach.
- Identify individual strengths and weaknesses, adapting training sessions to meet the students age and abilities.
- Maintaining a positive group cohesion in Classes and within the squad to maximise team support at competitions, enhancing performance.
- Provide one to one technical feedback suited to their age and ability to improve their performance.
- Analysis of fitness testing methods and competition performance videos to create a progressive training plan for the upcoming days, weeks and months.
Studio Assistant
VANILLA POD STUDIOS
Chorley, Lancashire
2020.09 - 2026.07
- Learning how to operate photography and videography equipment.
- Maintain tidiness and organisation of studio equipment, along with tidiness of the studio to maintain a safe working environment.
- Assist with office duties.
- Liaising with clients and models.
- Learning camera, photoshop and video editing software.
Bar Staff
The Globe Inn
Standish
2023.02 - Current
- Increased footfall with engaging promotional strategies In verbal upselling, promotional artwork and organising charity events increasing sales.
- Assisted in training new staff, contributing to team efficiency and consistency of service.
- Managed customer disputes effectively, preserving the business’ reputation and experience for other customers.
- Served high volumes of guests in fast-paced service environments with exceptional customer care.
Education
Master of Science - Strength & Conditioning
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester, England 09/2025 - 09/2026
Bachelor of Science - Sports Coaching
Edge Hill University
Bolton 09/2022 - 08/2025
A-levels - Sports Science, Chemistry and History
ST JOHN RIGBY SIXTH FORM COLLEGE WIGAN
Wigan 09/2020 - 08/2022
GCSEs -
St Josephs RC High School
Bolton 09/2015 - 08/2020
Skills
- First aid and CPR trained
- Specialist First Aid in Martial Arts
- DBS checked
- Fitness testing experience (leading and assisting) with Academy Football Athletes and English Karate Team Athletes (VALD Force plates, Force frames, Dynamometers, Growth & Maturation, Speed gates, GPS & Biomechanical analysis)
- Creation of Periodised Training Plans across a range of sports
- Creation of athlete needs analysis
- Academic research testing in labs and in the feild
- 1 to 1 mentoring and coaching for athlete's on the England Karate Squad with detailed feedback, training plans and monitoring methods
- Inclusive SENCO teaching practices
- Project management and administration for Sono Karate to promote and run large scale events such as gradings, training, fundraisers and award nights
Accomplishments
Represent Englands‘ National Karate Team
Former World and European Karate Champion
McLaren Nurture Co-hort 2025 for Human Performance
Working towards completion of UKSCA qualification
Sports Scholarship Student at Manchester Metropolitan University
Sports Scholarship Student at Edge Hill University
This Girl Can ambassador - delivering Self defence sessions to female college students
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Research assistant
Manchester Metropolitan University
2026.01 - Current
McLaren F1 Team Nurture Cohort 2025-26
Girls On Track
2025.02 - 2026.02
Fitness & health volunteer
Girls On Track
2025.01 - Current
Karate Instructor
Sono Karate
2024.03 - Current
Strength & Conditioning Intern
Wigan Athletic FC Academy
2023.10 - 2025.04
Bar Staff
The Globe Inn
2023.02 - Current
Karate Instructor
RED TIGER KARATE
2021.01 - 2024.03
Studio Assistant
VANILLA POD STUDIOS
2020.09 - 2026.07
GCSEs -
St Josephs RC High School
09/2015 - 08/2020
A-levels - Sports Science, Chemistry and History
ST JOHN RIGBY SIXTH FORM COLLEGE WIGAN
09/2020 - 08/2022
Bachelor of Science - Sports Coaching
Edge Hill University
09/2022 - 08/2025
Master of Science - Strength & Conditioning
Manchester Metropolitan University
09/2025 - 09/2026