Para and Disability Sport
Loughborough University is renowned as a world leader in sport. We’re incredibly proud of how broad and inclusive our sport offer is, so whatever your level and whatever your interest, find out more and get involved.
Athletic Union
The Athletic Union provides a para sport award rating to every club to demonstrate their current level of inclusion, plans for future development and competitive offer for disabled students.
Currently, we compete in eight BUCS Para sports (Athletics, Badminton, Cycling, Powerlifting, Swimming, Triathlon, Wheelchair Basketball, and Wheelchair Tennis). We continue to work with BUCS to add more competitive Para sports opportunities for our students.
All club committee members are welfare trained to ensure they can facilitate their clubs to be as inclusive as possible. The Athletic Union works closely with LSU’s Disability Support Network (DSN).
If you have feedback on the Athletic Union’s accessibility or would like more information on any of the above, please feel free to contact our Sport Executive Officer.
Recreational Sport
Our recreational sport programme offers a free, beginner-friendly way for students to get involved in sport.
Alongside a wide range of activities, we also provide five adaptive sports: wheelchair basketball, wheelchair handball, wheelchair tennis, sitting volleyball and boccia.
All Weekly Timetable sessions can be adapted to suit individual needs. For support, simply speak with the session activator or contact our Para & Disability Sport Exec or Disability Sport Coordinator, Graeme Wilson.
We’re committed to expanding our disability sport offer and making every activity as inclusive as possible.
Hall sport (IMS)
IMS is a free programme open to all Loughborough students - a great way to make friends and compete in a variety of sports through leagues and one-day events.
Wheelchair Basketball is one of our most popular IMS events, and we’re working to add more inclusive opportunities to the programme.
If you have specific needs, please email before your event.
Social sport
The Social Sport programme allows departments, halls, societies and friends to enter teams in Social Sport leagues and a series of one-day events that run throughout the year.
These events feature a wide variety of activities, including disability sports, and are open to all students.
If you have any specific needs you would like to discuss before participating in a Social Sport event, please contact our team.
Coaching and Volunteering
We can access unique coaching, placement, and volunteering opportunities in Para and Disability sport.
These vary from year-long placements with performance programmes to volunteering opportunities at disability sport events and competitions on campus.
In addition, there are opportunities to gain coaching qualifications in disability sports.
The CVA also offer a Rewards and Recognition programme allowing students to log their volunteer hours and receive rewards at significant milestones.
Gyms
Holywell Fitness Centre and Powerbase Gym are both accessible facilities catering for all abilities.
Our fitness instructors are used to working with gym members of all levels and sporting backgrounds, from Paralympians at the very top of their sports to recreational gym users.
We have a range of fitness equipment and areas accessible to all members, and offer 1-2-1 instructor assistance.
We can aid in the development of fitness programs catered to each individual.
Para and Disability Sport Exec
The Para & Disability Sport Exec is a dedicated group of students who are working to improve the recreational opportunities for disabled students in sport at Loughborough.
They work with staff, participation programmes and AU clubs to make sure every student can play sport at Loughborough, whatever their ability or experience.
If you have questions about adaptive, accessible, or disability sports, contact us. You can also check facility accessibility in advance via AccessAble.
Stay updated with para and disability sport by following the Parasport Instagram, run by the Para & Disability Sport Exec.