Windsor athletes commit to Kings Performance Systems

 

By Ryan Blevins

A local athletic training facility is celebrating their one year anniversary.

Kings Performance Systems is an athletic training facility in Windsor and has now been training athletes for one year. Specializing in weight and speed training, KPS is home to many young athletes in the Windsor and Essex County area.

King Performance Systems was founded by Windsor native Jake Francis-Taylor. Francis-Taylor, a trainer and Holy Names Catholic High School graduate had aspirations of providing local student athletes a place to hone their skills. Francis-Taylor was able to secure an internship with one of America’s top athletic training facilities, Barwis Methods Professional Grade Sports Training. According to Francis-Taylor he learned everything he knows about training while interning under Mike Barwis.

“Growing up I was like a lot of high school athletes. I watched YouTube videos to find out what other trainers were doing in order to get stronger,” he said.

As an intern, Francis-Taylor worked with professional and collegiate athletes to develop a resume. While working with Barwis Methods he was able to work with 32 professional athletes including players from the CFL, NFL, MLB and NHL. Taking the knowledge he acquired as an intern, along with his many athletic trainer certifications, Francis-Taylor sought employment with the goal of offering the same level of athletic training to Windsor athletes.

“Some of the biggest struggles have been location and target audience but I’ve been trying to get it across to the kids is that this isn’t a money grab,” said Francis-Taylor.

Windsor athletes took little time in discovering the benefits of Kings Performance Systems. There are approximately 40 athletes receiving group or individual training with Francis-Taylor. Many local football players call KPS their home. A total of 30 Windsor Essex County Secondary School Athletic Association All-City players, 12 Canadian Interuniversity Sport football commits and two NCAA Division I football commits are using the gym to prepare themselves to play at the next level.

Catholic Central High School student and University of Buffalo football commit Dominic Johnson credits KPS for strengthening his abilities and preparing him to play at the next level.

“Working out here has made me faster, stronger and smarter too,” said Johnson. “This isn’t just for football, this is for any sport or even just for yourself.”

Strength and conditioning are not the only tools highlighted at KPS. Athletes looking to play at the next level such as Johnson are able to improve their abilities by combining specific drills. Athletes trying to garner the attention of coaches are instructed on various techniques while also using methods on how to improve their physical capabilities in their 40 yard dash times and vertical jumps.

Kings Performance System puts an emphasis on training football players mainly because of Francis-Taylor’s experience in football, with hopes of expanding into sports such as baseball, basketball and hockey.

After one year of training athletes KPS seems to have found a market in which to excel.