Loughborough Sport Placements

Loughborough University is committed to the development of students & staff through sport. Supporting around 1,000 students in gaining quality experiences within sport, we provide a unique environment to develop a range of skills within a workforce development programme. 

The successful applicant will gain practical applied experience in a sports workforce development environment under the guidance of Sports Development staff. During the 1- year placement, there is an opportunity to build a portfolio of Continued Professional Development (CPD) and practical expertise, enhancing their employability within the sports development field. 

 What would I be doing? 

• Working with the Sports Volunteering Coordinator on the development of the CVA Portal to enable students to find and undertake the opportunities most relevant to them. 
• Using the CVA Portal to generate reports that inform key decision making that supports the CVA Strategy. 
• Coordinating and organising CVA Portal Training for Loughborough Sport Staff. 
• Supporting the Head of Sport Workforce Development to organise and conduct the CVA Graduate Survey 
• Identifying CVA Strand-Specific volunteering, placement, and graduate opportunities and sharing them on CVA Channels 
• Supporting the organisation of the annual CVA Awards Ceremony. 
• Coordinating a review of the CVA Reward & Recognition Scheme including creating feedback surveys, coordinating focus groups with student volunteers, and presenting finding to the CVA Team. 
• Working alongside the Sports Volunteering Officer to coordinate Logging Hours & Out & About Week Campaigns. 
• Attending regular meetings with the CVA team, other key University personnel, external agencies and contribute appropriately. 
• Supporting the wider Development Team with the organisation of Welcome Week Activity. 
• Carrying out any other duties, that may be reasonably requested. 

What will I get out of this opportunity? 

• Personal Development and Mentoring support from the Sports Volunteering Coordinator 
• Portfolio of CPD and practical experience 
• Enhance your employability 
• Development of soft skills 
• Understanding of wider sporting landscape 
• Personalised Coach & Volunteer Academy (CVA) kit package and Loughborough Sport Kit 
• Access to the CVA’s Reward & Recognition scheme as a result of logging hours 
• Work and learn alongside experienced Sports Development Staff 

 What is Loughborough Sport looking for? 

• To undertake this role, you must be a current student at Loughborough University. 
• Interest or experience in handling and processing data. 
• Ability to use programmes such as Microsoft Excel to collect and analyse data. 
• Full commitment – otherwise you won’t get much out of the placement. 
• Due to the nature of the role, some of the experience will take place during evenings and weekends to align with programme scheduling. 
• The ability to communicate well, share knowledge simply and effectively and strong attention to detail. 
• Demonstration of excellent organisation and time management skills. 
• Professional attitude and approach, respect for others. 
• Innovative thinking and willingness to try things. 

 Additional Details 

• Paid stipend of £6000 over 12 months 
• Variety of start dates between 1st July – 1st September 
• Minimum of 35 hours per week for 45 weeks 
• Evening and weekend work required 
• Diploma of Professional Studies running alongside placement year 

 How can I apply? 

Please send a CV & Video Application to One Drive via the file request link below. It’s up to you how you choose to produce the video, the only stipulations are that it is no longer than 5 minutes and you answer all questions (with relevant detail) set out below: 

 Tell us about yourself: 

• Name 
• Your experiences in a sporting environment 
• Your career aspirations 
• What do you think you are like as a person, how would others describe you? 

 Tell us why you would like to join us: 

• Why this placement? Why you? Why Loughborough? 

Deadline for applications is Sunday 30th November at 23:59 & Interviews will take place on Friday 5th December 2025. 

For any informal Enquiries about the role, please contact Amber Main, Sports Volunteering Coordinator.  

Loughborough Sport is committed to the development of aspiring coaches and practitioners through elite sport in the UK. Supporting around 500 funded athletes, scholars, and first team athletes across a range of sports and athletic disciplines, we provide a unique environment to develop a range of skills within an interdisciplinary sports program.

Positions available for 2026-27:

• Men’s Football Operations
• Women’s Football Operations
• Futsal Operations

The successful applicants will gain practical and applied experience in a performance sporting environment under the guidance of practitioners and coaches. During the placement, there is an opportunity to build a portfolio of practical expertise, enhancing your employability.

What would I be doing?

• Working alongside the Football Programme Manager and Head Coaches to assist with the operations and administration of running the Football and Futsal programmes. The role would also be responsible for liaising with the AU club around matters of mutual interest.
• Suitable for someone looking to move into a club management, development or marketing role in sport
• Support the extensive trials process at the beginning of the academic year
• Support with other areas of the Inter-Disciplinary team.
• Match day operations which include the coordination of match day staffing and logistics and management of the match day experience for National League and BUCS Fixtures
• Matchday Communications for all internal and external stakeholders
• Overseeing the spectator experience for National League and BUCS Fixtures
• Support the Scouting Hub with recruitment into the football programme, including leading Trials with AU Chair
• Support the provision of marketing, media, and communications across the programme.
• Potential opportunities to work with external football bodies (e.g. County FA, Premier League, etc.) when hosting fixtures and events at Loughborough

What will I get out of this opportunity?

• Exposure to working with coaches and athletes in the Loughborough sporting environment
• Exposure to a range of sports, disciplines, and abilities
• Mentoring from practitioners and supervisors
• Support through qualifications and accreditations
• Portfolio of CPD and practical expertise
• Enhance your employability,
• Work closely with other practitioners within an interdisciplinary team
• Development of soft skills
• Direct mentoring support from an experienced programme manager

What is Loughborough Sport looking for?

• To undertake this role, you must be a current student at Loughborough University.
• Full commitment – otherwise you won’t get much out of the placement and the support for football will be affected
• Due to the nature of the role, experiences will take place during evenings and weekends to align with the football training schedule.
• The ability to communicate well, share knowledge simply and effectively and strong attention to detail.
• Experience in delivering or assisting in the delivery of presentations.
• A proactive attitude, Innovative thinking and willingness to try things.
• Professional attitude and approach, respect for others.

Additional Details

• Paid stipend of £6000 over 12 months
• Start date July 1st, 2026
• 37 hours per week for 45 weeks, with potential for extended hours fixtures dependant
• Evening and weekend work required
• Opportunity to volunteer ahead of your placement
• Diploma of Professional Studies running alongside placement year

Previous Operations Placements have gone into roles at:

• Arsenal Academy
• Manchester United Women’s First Team
• Aston Villa Women’s Academy
• Youth Sports Trust
• AU Club Chairs (Loughborough University)

How can I apply?

Please send a CV & Video Application to One Drive via the file request link below. It’s up to you how you choose to produce the video, the only stipulations are that it is no longer than 5 minutes and you answer all questions (with relevant detail) set out below:

Interviews will take place on the week commencing 8th December (Provisional)

Applications close Sunday 30th November

Tell us about yourself:

• Name
• Your experiences in a sporting/football environment
• Personal sporting interests and programme (men’s or women’s) you would like to be involved in
• Your career aspirations
• What do you think you are like as a person, how would others describe you?

Tell us why you would like to join us:

• Why this placement? Why you? Why Loughborough?

Loughborough Sport is committed to the development of aspiring coaches and practitioners through elite sport in the UK. Supporting around 750 funded athletes, scholars, and first team athletes across a range of sports and athletic disciplines, we provide a unique environment to develop a range of skills within an interdisciplinary sports program.

The successful applicant will gain practical applied experience in an elite sporting environment under the guidance of practitioners and coaches. During the placement, there is an opportunity to build a portfolio of practical expertise, enhancing your employability.

What would I be doing?

• Working alongside the Rugby Programme Manager and women’s coaches to assist with the operations of running the women’s rugby performance programme including Premiership Women's Rugby side Loughborough Lightning and wider BUCS delivery 
• Suitable for someone looking to move into an operationsl/team/logistics management or marketing role in sport 
• Individual will support the management and logistics needed to field multiple teams each week across PWR and BUCS (including BUCS Women’s Super Rugby) 
• Support match day operations 
• Support the provision of marketing, media and communications across the programme along with the media team 
• Support the Programme Manager in Commercial endeavours 
• Opportunity to work with external rugby bodies (e.g. RFU, PWR and BUCS) 
• Opportunity to work with Loughborough Lightning’s partner Northampton Saints 
• Support with other areas of the Inter-Disciplinary team as required 
• Manage operations volunteers alongside the Programme Manager 

What will I get out of this opportunity?

• Exposure to working with coaches and athletes in an elite and professional sporting environment 
• Exposure to a range of sports, disciplines, and abilities 
• Mentoring from programme manager and head coaches 
• Support through qualifications and accreditations 
• Portfolio of CPD and practical expertise 
• Enhance your employability 
• Work closely with other practitioners within an interdisciplinary team 
• Development of soft skills 
• Work within a professional environment with full time athletes 
• Opportunities to visit, work within and alongside a variety of professional rugby clubs 
• Develop a range of contacts within rugby 

What is Loughborough Sport looking for?

• To undertake this role, you must be a current student at Loughborough University.
• Full commitment – otherwise you won’t get much out of the placement and the support for our sports will be affected
• Due to the nature of the role, some of the experience will take place during evenings and weekends to align with sport training schedules and fixtures
• The ability to communicate well, share knowledge simply and effectively and strong attention to detail.
• Demonstration of excellent organisation and time management skills
• Professional attitude and approach, respect for others
• Innovative thinking and willingness to try things
• Professional attitude and approach, respect for others

Additional Details

• Paid stipend of £6,000
• Start Date 15^th July 2026
• Minimum of 37 hours per week
• 1 year duration (Including 22 days holiday and University Closure days)
• Evening and weekend work required
• Opportunity to volunteer ahead of your placement
• Diploma of Professional Studies running alongside placement year

How can I apply?

Please send a CV & Video Application to One Drive via the file request link below. It’s up to you how you choose to produce the video, the only stipulations are that it is no longer than 5 minutes and you answer all questions (with relevant detail) set out below:

Tell us about yourself:

• Name
• Your experiences in a sporting environment
• Personal sporting interests and sport you would like to be involved in at Loughborough
• Your career aspirations
• What do you think you are like as a person, how would others describe you?

Tell us why you would like to join us:

• Why this placement? Why you? Why Loughborough?

Interview date: w/c 8 December 2025

Closing date: Sunday 7 December 2025

Loughborough Sport is committed to the development of aspiring coaches and practitioners through elite sport in the UK. Supporting around 750 funded athletes, scholars, and first team athletes across a range of sports and athletic disciplines, we provide a unique environment to develop a range of skills within an interdisciplinary sports program.

The successful applicant will gain practical applied experience in an elite sporting environment under the guidance of practitioners and coaches. During the placement, there is an opportunity to build a portfolio of practical expertise, enhancing your employability.

What would I be doing?

• Working alongside the Rugby Programme Manager and men’s coaches to assist with the operations of running the men’s rugby performance programme and wider BUCS delivery
• Suitable for someone looking to move into an operations/team/logistics management or marketing role in sport
• Individual will support the management and logistics needed to field multiple teams each week across BUCS (including BUCS Super Rugby) and National League Rugby
• Support the extensive trials process at the beginning of the year alongside the Programme Coordinator
• Support match day operations
• Support the provision of marketing, media and communications across the programme along with the media team
• Support the Programme Manager in Commercial endeavours
• Opportunity to work with external rugby bodies (e.g. RFU and BUCS)
• Support with other areas of the Inter-Disciplinary team as required
• Manage operations volunteers alongside the Programme Manager
• Have strong input and management for Social Media & Marketing updates for the teams

What will I get out of this opportunity?

• Exposure to working with coaches and athletes in an elite sporting environment
• Exposure to a range of sports, disciplines, and abilities
• Mentoring from programme manager and head coaches
• Support through qualifications and accreditations
• Portfolio of CPD and practical expertise
• Enhance your employability
• Work closely with other practitioners within an interdisciplinary team
• Development of soft skills
• Opportunities to visit, work within and alongside a variety of professional rugby clubs
• Develop a range of contacts within rugby

What is Loughborough Sport looking for?

• To undertake this role you must be a current student at Loughborough University.
• Full commitment – otherwise you won’t get much out of the placement and the support for our sports will be affected
• Due to the nature of the role, some of the experience will take place during evenings and weekends to align with sport training schedules and fixtures
• The ability to communicate well, share knowledge simply and effectively and strong attention to detail.
• Demonstration of excellent organisation and time management skills
• Professional attitude and approach, respect for others
• Innovative thinking and willingness to try things
• Professional attitude and approach, respect for others

Additional Details

• Paid stipend of £6000 over 12 months
• Start Date 15^th July 2026
• Minimum of 37 hours per week
• 1 year duration (Including 20 days holiday and University Closure days)
• Evening and weekend work required
• Opportunity to volunteer ahead of your placement
• Diploma of Professional Studies running alongside placement year

How can I apply?

Please send a CV & Video Application to One Drive via the file request link below. It’s up to you how you choose to produce the video, the only stipulations are that it is no longer than 5 minutes and you answer all questions (with relevant detail) set out below:

Tell us about yourself:

• Name
• Your experiences in a sporting environment
• Personal sporting interests and sport you would like to be involved in at Loughborough
• Your career aspirations
• What do you think you are like as a person, how would others describe you?

Tell us why you would like to join us:

• Why this placement? Why you? Why Loughborough?

Interview date: w/c 8^th December 2025

Closing date: Sunday 7^th December 2025

Loughborough Sport is committed to the development of aspiring coaches and practitioners through elite sport in the UK. Supporting around 750 funded athletes, scholars, and first team athletes across a range of sports and athletic disciplines, we provide a unique environment to develop a range of skills within an interdisciplinary sports program. 

The successful applicant will gain practical applied experience in an elite sporting environment under the guidance of practitioners and coaches. During the placement, there is an opportunity to build a portfolio of practical expertise, enhancing your employability within the Strength & Conditioning field. 

What would I be doing? 

• Support the Strength & Conditioning team in providing support to University athletes and teams (e.g. Swimming, Netball and Rugby) throughout the pre-season. 
• Work closely with other practitioners within an interdisciplinary team 
• Assist in the programming and performance planning, delivery of training sessions and data analysis 
• Gain practical coaching experience under the guidance of experienced coaches 
• Exposure to working with coaches and athletes in an elite sporting environment 
• Exposure to a range of sports, disciplines, and abilities 
• Mentoring from practitioners and supervisors 
• Support through qualifications and accreditations such as the UKSCA process 
• Portfolio of CPD and practical expertise 
• Enhance your employability, particularly within S&C 
• Work closely with other practitioners within an interdisciplinary team 
• Development of soft skills 
• Develop skills such as programming and performance planning, delivery of training sessions and data analysis 

What will I get out of this opportunity? 

• Gain practical coaching experience under the guidance of experienced coaches 
• Exposure to working with coaches and athletes in an elite sporting environment 
• Exposure to a range of sports, disciplines, and abilities 
• Mentoring from practitioners and supervisors 
• Support through qualifications and accreditations such as the UKSCA process 
• Portfolio of CPD and practical expertise 
• Enhance your employability, particularly within S&C 
• Work closely with other practitioners within an interdisciplinary team 
• Development of soft skills 
• Develop skills such as programming and performance planning, delivery of training sessions and data analysis 

What is Loughborough Sport looking for? 

• To undertake this role you must be a current student at Loughborough University. 
• Full commitment – otherwise you won’t get much out of the placement and the support for our sports will be affected 
• Due to the nature of the role, some of the experience will take place during evenings and weekends to align with sport training schedules. 
• The ability to communicate well, share knowledge simply and effectively and strong attention to detail. 
• Experience in delivering or assisting in the delivery of lectures, workshops and consultations. 
• Innovative thinking and willingness to try things 
• Professional attitude and approach, respect for others 

 Additional Details 

• Paid stipend of £6000 over 12 months 
• Variety of start dates between 1st July – 1st September 
• Minimum of 30 hours per week for 45 weeks 
• Evening and weekend work required 
• Opportunity to volunteer ahead of your placement 
• Diploma of Professional Studies running alongside placement year 

 How can I apply? 

Please send a CV & Video Application to One Drive via the file request link below. It’s up to you how you choose to produce the video, the only stipulations are that it is no longer than 5 minutes and you answer all questions (with relevant detail) set out below: 

• Tell us about yourself
  1. Name
  2. Most recent experience in a sporting environment
  3. Career aspirations 

• Tell us why you want to work in Strength & Conditioning? 

• Tell us about a time that you have had success when working with someone, to elicit a performance change 

• What about you as a person would make an athlete want to engage with you? 

• Physically demonstrate, and give only the main coaching points for the following exercises (if you have access to a gym, please demonstrate with load, if not, bodyweight will suffice):
  1. Squat
  2. Romanian Deadlift/Stiff Leg Deadlift
  3.Front Plank  

• Please give us the details of your most recent references that are available to contact.  

Application Deadline: Sunday 30th November at 23:59

For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Chris Thorpe.