Matt Long’s lifetime contribution to the sport was commended by the East Midlands Regional Council in recognition of his work spanning over a quarter of a century. Amongst his achievements, Matt has coached 3 world champions and has been capped internationally for his country as team staff on 30 occasions, including work at Loughborough University as a coach at a development camp prior to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Matt was also recognised as a coach educator whose publication of over 400 coaching articles has guided coaches and athletes across the globe.
A former winner of the Vice Chancellor’s ‘Unsung Hero Award’, Matt has also served as a sports chaplain at the university. He voluntarily coaches Loughborough University athletes and alumni on campus through the independent Loughborough Elite Endurance Group. In his coaching role, he works alongside Commonwealth Games medallist Chris McGeorge and Olympian Sonia McGeorge, as well as Senior Research Associate in Engineering Paul Goodall and graduate Lewis Moses, who represented Team GB in the World Athletics Championships. Recently Matt has worked with one of Loughborough University alumni, former marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe, coaching athletes on campus.