Performance Support

The Performance Support strand offered by the CVA works in partnership with the Performance Support Team at Loughborough to provide a wide range of student opportunities.

Introduction

This strand is aimed at students who may wish to develop a career in the Performance Support / Sport Science industry. This industry is a rapidly expanding global industry, and for this reason, Performance Support Practitioners are in increasing demand, particularly given the drive of professional athletes to maximise their potential through marginal gains.

As a world-leading university that has a strong historical association with high performance sport, we are in a unique position whereby we can offer our students the opportunity to volunteer as part of a high performance multi-disciplinary team in a number of Performance Support pathways.

These supporting roles form part of Loughborough Sport’s wider multidisciplinary Performance Support team which focuses on athlete and team performance. Each of these pathways include opportunities to access training, guidance and support from both internal practitioners and external industry experts.

Our Virtual Performance Support Briefing

If you want to know more about Performance Support, you can watch our 2020 briefing by clicking the image below.

Performance Support briefing 2020-2021
Click here to watch our performance support briefing where we talked about all the opportunities withing performance support and how to get involved!

What We Offer?

There are five distinct pathways in which students can become involved in at various stages at their time studying at Loughborough:

a person viewing a live match on a screen at the side of the pitch

Performance Analysis

Our Performance Analyst volunteers help capture, analyse and review video and data with the aim to improve the overall technical and tactical performance of both team and individuals across our performance programmes. Click to find out more about Performance Analysis at Loughborough!
boxing training

Strength and Conditioning

Our volunteer Strength & Conditioning (S&C) coaches work under the guidance of a team of full-time coaches to support the physical and physiological development of athletes within Loughborough’s performance programmes. Click to find out more about S&C here at Loughborough!
Sports psychology

Sport and Performance Psychology

Open to those studying MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology, students have the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of performance sport settings through projects supported by Sport and Performance Psychology Lead, Dr Karl Steptoe. Click to find out more about Sport Psychology at Loughborough.
a range of food spread out on a table

Performance Nutrition Sport

The Nutrition Team offer aspiring practitioners a range of opportunities to gain practical experience including a Summer Internship supporting athletes in pre-season and placements for students studying MSc Sport & Exercise Nutrition. Click to find out more about Performance Nutrition Support here.
an athlete using a cycle in a fitness lab surrounded by people

Physiology Support

A handful of students can do a voluntary placement alongside their full-time MSc. Student volunteers will undertake a training & development programme throughout the course of their placement to ensure they get the best experience possible, and our athletes benefit from their input.

Practitioner Programme

Applications now open for Stage 1 2022-23

Developed in partnership with the School of Sport Exercise & Health Sciences, Loughborough Sport's Practitioner Programme utilises the expertise of our practitioners and academics to provided a blended and applied learning opportunity for those who are pursuing a career as a practitioner.

Support & Development

Training and Mentoring

Access to in house specific technical training and mentoring delivered by Loughborough Sport Performance Support staff.

Bursary Scheme

Apply for funding towards CPD opportunities like conferences or accreditations

Masterclasses

Access to masterclasses and continual personal development (CPD) opportunities led by performance support practitioners

Qualification & Accreditations

Access to internationally recognised industry qualifications such as ISAK.

Employability Skills

Develop employability skills such as communications and problem solving through hands on experience

Networking Opportunities

Opportunity to network with industry professionals

Why get involved?

  • Access to internationally recognised industry qualifications such as ISAK and UKSCA accredited workshops.
  • Access to in house specific technical training and mentoring delivered by Loughborough Sport Performance Support staff.
  • Access to masterclasses and CPD opportunity that are led and delivered by industry experts.
  • Opportunity to network with industry professionals and leading industry organisations.
  • An opportunity to develop employability skills through volunteering experiences and an employability programme.
  • Access to our reward & recognition scheme and subsidised Coach & Volunteer Academy kit.

Don’t just hear it from us!

Check out some of our Success Stories below to read about the experiences some of our volunteers have had!

Andy McBay, Performance Analysis Volunteer

"It’s genuinely been life changing. I came to the University with a clear idea of what I wanted to do for a career, but when I realised that was wrong it was volunteering that helped me see what I actually wanted to spend my life doing."

Anne Shapre, Strength and Conditioning Volunteer

"It’s been a big game changer for me. Having the opportunity to work with some very experienced coaches and peers, as well as some world class athletes has been incredible!"

How to get involved?

Any student studying on a Higher Education Course at Loughborough University or Loughborough College can get involved with our Performance Support Strand; however, there are some opportunities in the strand which students from only certain academic degrees can access.

To find out more on how to get involved in the Coach & Volunteer Academy, visit our “Get Involved” page.

Get Involved