Rod Thorpe

Awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2008, his inspirational teaching, student support and vision of sport for Loughborough accelerated the development of what we know as the Loughborough Sport experience today.

Teaching Games for Understanding

In 1982 Rod, with colleague David Bunker, produced a paper on ‘Teaching Games for Understanding’. This article represented a significant change in the teaching approach within Physical Education and has received almost 3000 citations to date. TGfU has since become the focus of International Conferences and Research Groups across the globe. Rod was central in modifying the approach as ‘Game Sense’.

In addition, he adapted the ideas to develop the concept on which the Youth Sport Trust’s highly successful TOP Play and TOP Sport programmes are based. In 1997, he received the International Olympic Committee Services to Sport Award and in 2001 was inducted into the UK Coaching Hall of Fame.

From 1997, during his tenure as Director of the Sports Development Centre, Rod extended the University’s involvement with National Governing Bodies, national and regional Government Agencies, and a host of other key partners. Most notably, Rod led the £35 million sports facility development as part of the English Institute of Sport partnership on campus.

Rod’s contribution to Loughborough Tennis and to British tennis is of special significance. His relentless focus on developing players, coaches and the tennis workforce through collaborative initiatives shaped national level coach education and the success of Loughborough alumni in tennis-related employment.

In his retirement, Rod has played a key role as a member of the triumvirate who set up Loughborough Sporting Club, and spearheaded significant alumni initiatives such as the Loughborough Sport Hall of Fame.