As part of the new agreement, the new Hub will provide coaching support, coach education, mentoring, and a range of sports science and therapy services, providing direct support to hundreds more athletes and their coaches on the England Athletics Talent Pathway.
The aim of the Hub network is to create a training and educational environment for pathway athletes and their coaches and, over time, develop links to local clubs to become an integrated part of the England Athletics structure.
Loughborough’s selection is due to its established reputation built over many years of supporting and developing world-class athletes. This further builds on England Athletics’ mission of providing a network of industry-leading elite and community-linked environments.
Femi Akinsanya, Director of Athletics, at Loughborough University, said: “We’re delighted to have been selected as a new Talent Hub. This partnership is testament to the longevity of a high-performing athletics programme at the University that consistently delivers for its athletes.
“By building on the great work already in place, we hope to ensure that our athletes continue to receive the very best of performance support to achieve their personal sporting goals.”
The agreement will build on the two established Hubs at Birmingham and Leeds, with St Marys University, Twickenham, also selected as a new Hub.
Sarah Benson, Head of Talent Development at England Athletics, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with St Mary’s and Loughborough as talent hubs to support more athletes on their journey through the pathway.
“The expertise and development environment that St Mary’s brings to the England Athletics Endurance Programme is world-class, as is also the case with Loughborough’s long standing and rich heritage within athletics. Together, we are incredibly excited to be working towards delivering the England Athletics and UK Athletics Talent Strategy together.”