Performance Athletics

The Loughborough Athletics Performance programme sits at the heart of our world-renowned athletics offering, providing dedicated support to those with the talent, drive and ambition to succeed at the highest level.

Loughborough's Athletics Performance programme exists to nurture those with aspirations to compete at the highest levels of the sport nationally and internationally. Each year, around one third of Loughborough Students’ Athletics Club (LSAC) members are selected to be part of the elite Performance group.

The programme is structured to ensure that every athlete receives the right level of support for their stage of development. Athletes are placed into one of three tiers: Scholar, Performance, or Development based on current performance standards, future potential, and progression trajectory. This tiered approach allows us to offer a highly tailored support package that evolves as the athlete grows and achieves.

Whether you're an emerging talent or already performing on the world stage, the Performance programme is designed to challenge, support and accelerate your progress – helping you make the most of your time at Loughborough.

A Loughborough University para athlete running on blades in a race

Para and disability sport

Para-athletics is experiencing significant growth both in the UK and internationally, and we are delighted to integrate Para athletes into the Loughborough environment.

The Loughborough Para-Athletics offer integrates with the Performance programme depending on the level and classification of the athlete. All performance athletes have access to a comprehensive programme which includes on and off-track support in a variety of areas.

Benefits

Comprehensive Performance Support, including access to physiotherapy, nutrition, psychology, physiology, and more
Performance lifestyle support to help you balance elite sport with academic success
Scholarship opportunities for athletes who demonstrate exceptional talent and commitment
A Loughborough athlete on the running track

Selection criteria

Athletes are invited to join the Performance or Development groups based on recent results. Performance group standards align with BUCS medal-winning levels, while Development group standards reflect strong BUCS finalists. 

Results must be from after January 1st of the entry year (e.g., after January 1, 2025, for the 2025/26 year). Exceptions may be made for athletes returning from injury. Athletes with only U20-level results can stay on the Performance programme for one year, after which they must improve to U23/senior standards. 

For sprints and horizontal jumps, performances must have legal wind readings. 

Before each academic year, coaches review results and decide who to invite. In rare cases, athletes not meeting the criteria may be included if the panel agrees there is a strong reason. 

See men and women's criteria

Our star alumni

A photograph of Loughborough athlete Ben Pattison during a run

Ben Pattison

2023 Graduate

Athletics

  • 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2023 World Championship 800m Bronze medallist
  • 2024 British Champion
  • Ranked 2nd on the UK all-time list with 1:42.27
A photograph of Loughborough athlete Alex Haydock Wilson

Alex Haydock-Wilson

PhD in Photovoltaic Technology

Athletics

  • 2023 World Championship 4x400m Bronze medallist
  • Double Bronze medallist (Mixed & Men’s 4x400m) at the 2024 Olympic Games
  • 2025 European Indoor Bronze medallist

Jake Wightman

BSc Retail, Marketing and Management Graduate

Athletics - 1500m and 800m

  • 2022 World Champion (1500m)
  • Commonwealth Bronze medallist (2018, 2022)
  • European Silver medallist (2022)
A photograph of Loughborough athlete Molly Caudery

Molly Caudery

BSc Sport and Exercise Science Graduate

Athletics - Pole Vault

  • 2022 Commonwealth Silver medallist
  • 2024 World Indoor Champion
  • British Record holder (4.92m)
  • 2024 European Bronze medallist
A photograph of Loughborough athlete Bekah Walton throwing javelin

Loughborough is the best place to pursue life on and off the track and support me to achieve my goals. You feel part of the family as soon as you arrive. They’ve shown me my potential is greater than I ever thought. It really feels that the staff care for me as more than an athlete and genuinely want me to succeed as a person.

Bekah Walton
MEng Mechanical Engineering – Javelin, 3x British Champion

Coaching staff

A photograph of Loughborough coach Femi Akinsanya

Femi Akinsanya

Director of Athletics

With 40+ years in athletics as a competitor and coach, Femi is a former international triple jumper who competed at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and won 2004 World Masters gold. He progressed through British and England Athletics coaching roles before joining Loughborough in 2019. He has coached elite athletes across disciplines, including Phillips Idowu and Louise Hazel.

A photograph of Loughborough coach Emma Wiltshire

Emma Wiltshire

Athletic Programme Manager

Emma manages daily club operations and is the main contact for competition and BUCS enquiries. A Loughborough alumna, she has extensive athletics administration experience with Welsh and British Athletics, managing teams at major international events.

A photograph of Loughborough coach Kyle Bennett

Kyle Bennett

Head Endurance Coach

Kyle brings 16+ years coaching from junior to international level. Former Head Endurance Coach at Oxford University, he led BUCS medal-winning teams and worked with England Athletics as Regional Coaching Lead and youth talent lead before joining Loughborough.

A photograph of Loughborough coach Dai Greene

Dai Greene

Head Sprints and Hurdles Coach

Commonwealth, World, and European 400m hurdles champion, Dai captained Team GB at the 2012 Olympics. With 20 years of elite experience and top-level mentorship, he leads Loughborough’s sprints and hurdles programme.

A photograph of Loughborough coach Joe Mcdonnell

Joe McDonnell

Head Para Sprints Coach

Joe has 18 years coaching Paralympians, including multiple gold medallists and world record holders Sophie Hahn and Libby Clegg. He is Lead Coach for the UK Invictus Team and manages Para Sprint coaching and athlete recruitment at Loughborough.

Placeholder 160 x 160 pixels

Kate Rooney

Pole Vault Coach

Former British record holder and two-time Olympian, Kate placed 6th at the 2009 World Championships. After a coaching break, she returned successfully, guiding Commonwealth finalists and BUCS medallists.

A photograph of Loughborough coach Dave Turner

Dave Turner

Head Throws Coach

Loughborough alumnus specializing in javelin, David coaches Scholar and First Team athletes. As England Athletics Event Lead, his highlight is coaching Paralympic Champion Hollie Arnold to gold and a world record at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. He coordinates throws coaching and recruitment.

A photograph of Loughborough coach Lukasz Zawila

Łukasz Zawiła

Head Jumps Coach

A former high jumper from Poland with 10+ years coaching in the UK and Poland, Łukasz coaches triple, long, and high jumpers with international success. He heads Loughborough’s jumps programme and contributes to youth talent development.

Prospective students

If you are looking at your university options and are considering how best to combine your studies and sporting development, Loughborough athletics provides a mixture of training and competing at Britain’s most successful student club setup, alongside receiving strong academic support.

Application form