Cassius Camps was born after founder Philip Ercolano brought 4 young, unknown footballers to the Lake District, to take part in an experimental training and development camp. They were all viewed as prospects at their respective clubs, and each set what appeared to be an ambitious goal for the forthcoming season: to make one first team appearance.
Drawing on a lifetime of experience working with high performing teams, and recognising the connection between mentality and performance, Philip and his team designed a programme to drive success. Using specific outdoor challenging activities, instant review sessions and life skills workshops, they created a programme to accelerate the mindset needed to perform at the highest level.
Fast-forward twelve months; collectively with over 70 first team games under their belts, picking up numerous national awards along the way, their combined value at the end of that first season was over £20m.
We accelerate the development and performance of professional sports teams and individuals through adventurous and challenging 1-7 day training camps.
We take people out of their comfort zones. Through skilful review and reflection, people are able to turn the outcomes from the challenges and workshops into knowledge they can apply in their chosen sport.
Through replicating a sports competitive environment in the outdoors, our programmes deliver life- changing experiences. We focus on 12 improvement pillars, which in turn creates the Cassius ‘Pushing The Limits’ Mindset.
We will place you in extreme situations where you will continuously doubt your ability to succeed. When you accomplish our challenges, the mindset you will gain will be fundamental to the success of your future.
Our challenges are facilitated to make you achieve performance levels that you never realised existed in yourself. We will make you see how much more you are capable of and push you to higher levels and beyond.
Our wild and unique environment forces you and your team to build trust and respect at an accelerated rate. You will feel a new level of camaraderie and create bonds that will last a lifetime.
We will challenge you in extremely pressurised situations to see how you cope and lead your team. You will learn what is needed to step out of your comfort zone and confidently drive your team to victory
You will be placed in some of the most stressful situations you have ever been in. This will give you a feeling of how paramount effective vocal and physical communication is to success.
Our programmes make you see another person in the mirror. We eliminate self-doubt and create inner confidence so that you leave feeling that you deserve to succeed, you can succeed and you will succeed.
Our level playing field makes you realise how you behave, how you affect others and how much more you are capable of achieving. We will push you so you become aware of what it takes to become the best professional in your field.
Our programmes help you build and define your personal brand. Each challenge will make you realise how you are currently projecting yourself and by the end of the week, our aim is to make you commit to a brand you feel great about.
The attitude of every professional on our programmes will inspire you to achieve higher performance levels. You will go away with a greater feeling of purpose and motivation like you’ve never seen before.
We make you realise the importance of a balance so you become even more productive at work and even more committed to the ones you love. After completing our programme, you will feel focused and inspired in all aspects of your life.
We will monitor you all the way through the programme and track your effort even when we are not looking. You will leave with a greater awareness of what it takes to be the best and become extra motivated to develop, even when people aren’t watching.
Our programmes make you aware of what makes up your beliefs and character. You will go away with a commitment to these values, which will play a fundamental part in shaping your career and life.
"A fantastic experience for the boys. Showing them what they are capable of & being able to go the extra yard is paramount for their development. It opened their eyes to the privileged position they are in, with the opportunity to have a career in a sport they love. Don't fail because you can't be bothered to push yourself!"
Neil Thompson - Sheffield Wednesday FC U23 Manager
"Toughest experience of my life. As tough as it was, the feeling you get when you complete a challenge that your body tells you that you can't do, is unbelievable."
George Hirst - Sheffield Wednesday & England U20
"Immensely proud of our club & the relationship we have built with Cassius Camps & its staff. A life changing event that will not only set us up for a memorable season but also set each of us up for life as better people."
Jon Whitney - Walsall FC Manager
It was a great experience and an opportunity to show what kind of person I am. I surprised myself as a person and how much I can push myself. It is the best experience of my life yet.
Ben Brereton - Nottingham Forest FC & England U19
Massive thank you to Cassius Camps for an unforgettable and enjoyable experience. Pushed to my limits both mentally and physically!
Stephen Kingsley - Scotland & Swansea City FC
“Challenging situations delivered by experienced staff in a fantastic setting in the Lake District. The Cassius team ensured our academy players were taken well and truly out of their comfort zone.”
Dean Ramsdale - Manchester City Academy
“Cassius Camps is a must for all professional sports people and teams from Academies to First Teams. The programme is very well structured and gives the individuals the opportunity to push themselves to the limits and beyond. I am in no doubt that the experience they had will benefit our young players this season and during their future careers.”
Nick Harrison - Preston North End FC Academy Manager
"Cassius Camps provided a day that took our players completely out of their comfort zone both mentally and physically. The day was structured and delivered in a very professional but fun manner. At the end of the day our players left with a huge sense of achievement and had developed a bond that will last for many years. It also gave them the knowledge that they can achieve anything with the right mentality and desire."
Michael Duff - Burnley FC U23 Lead Development Coach
"Cassius Camps tailor made a fantastic, challenging and unique experience for our staff and for our players. The challenges they were exposed to took them emotionally and physically to places way outside of their comfort zones, giving them an opportunity to grow. It gave our organisation a valuable insight into the deeper characteristics of our players as well as the players themselves developing resources and characteristic traits that will be valuable for their development and help them overcome future challenges."
Jack Lester - Nottingham Forest FC U23 Lead Development Coach
"Cassius Camps opened our eyes to some of the things we take for granted as professionals; the things that make us what we are. When you are tired you find out a lot about yourself. You discover what you can do with limited energy and see what energy comes from teammates too. You find out who wants to go the extra distance for their teammates and who doesn't."
Jon Wilkin - England & St Helens RL
"We know how important something like this is for the mental aspects of the togetherness of the group. They’ve been taken out of their comfort zone and they’ve been tested in what is a fantastic setting. The Cassius team asked me to take a step back and observe because you do see completely different things in situations like this. It’s nice to see the group motivate itself, and the pleasing thing is to see everyone buy into what they are being told.”
Keith Curle - Former England International & Carlisle United FC Manager
"You can’t replicate what Cassius Camps creates. They laid on extremely challenging situations which took our players completely out of their comfort zones. I’m confident now that when faced with difficult situations throughout the season our players will be able to draw on this experience."
Kieron Cunningham - Former GB International & St Helens RL Head Coach
“I never knew the consequences of projecting a poor personal brand and the impact it can have on a career. After the Camp, I committed to a personal brand that I now feel great about”
Sam McQueen - Southampton FC & England U-21s
“In all my career I’ve never seen such a unique and professional way of developing and finding the best in talent! Cassius Camps are a revolution.”
Paul Hart - Former Head of Leeds United Academy
“Cassius Camps provide a first rate, highly professional and unique experience. A thoroughly complete product delivered from a breathtaking location with outstanding facilities. Cassius have built from their cutting edge vision and now deliver what I believe to be an industry first.”
Adam Smith - Former New Zealand All Blacks Strength and Conditioning Coach
“Nike back innovative companies that add real value to the sports world! Cassius Camps creates a platform for talent to ‘Push The Limits’ in performance in a way we’ve never seen.”
Lee Molyneux - Nike
"It's very unique, I don't know anyone that does it, not like this. Mentally it gives you a big edge!"
Calum Chambers - England & Arsenal FC