Selection Policy for the Loughborough Triathlon Performance Centre – Development Squad - 2025

The LTPC is a partnership between British Triathlon Federation (“BTF”) and Loughborough University and incorporates the Performance Squad, Development Squad and Loughborough Students’ Athletic Union (“AU”) Squad.

The overarching aim of the LTPC is to “support athletes throughout the performance pathway on their journey towards World Triathlon Championships Series (WTCS) and Olympic podiums, by developing people who can meet and exceed the demands of competition within a sustainable performance environment”.

With that in mind, the purpose/standard (and capacity, which may change from time-to-time due to facility availability) of each squad is as follows:

a. Performance Squad (approximately 20 athlete places):

i. purpose - develop athletes towards WTCS and Olympic podiums 

ii. standard - those competing internationally (i.e. WTCS/WC/CC) OR those deemed necessary to support others to do so.

b. Development Squad (approximately 20 athlete places):

i. purpose - win BUCS annually and develop athletes towards National Series podiums. 

ii. standard - athletes with realistic aspirations to compete internationally (i.e. WTCS/WC/CC/World Jnr) AND high-level single-sport transfer athlete.

c. AU Squad* (approximately 65 athlete places):

i. purpose – contribute BUCS competitors/points and provide an outstanding student triathlete experience.

ii. standard - lower-level triathletes and age-group athletes.

*Separate policies/guidance will be produced in conjunction with Loughborough University and the AU Club in due course. Any athletes not successful in securing a place in the Performance squad will automatically be put up for consideration for one or both of the Development and AU squads.

1.1 To be eligible to be part of the Development squad, athletes must:

a. Fill in an application form to notify of their desire to be considered for selection to the Development squad, no later than 7 October 2025.

b. Be a student at Loughborough University (including affiliated courses at Loughborough College) UNLESS there are exceptional reasons as to why an athlete should access the squad whilst not being a student.

c. Commit to racing for Loughborough University at BUCS events and representing Loughborough at National Series events.

Section 2: Selection process

2.1 Athletes will be considered using the automatic and discretionary criteria outlined below.

2.2 Whilst initial Development squad selections will be made at the beginning of the academic year, these decisions will be kept under continual review as athletes progress throughout the year.

Section 3: Selection Criteria

3.1 Athletes will be selected for the Development squad either automatically or via discretionary selection. Where an athlete does not satisfy the automatic criteria, they will then be considered for discretionary selection. ALL athletes are expected to be at the Time Trials on the 15 October and take part in the interview process.

Automatic selections

a. Achieved an Individual OR Team medal for Loughborough University at any 2024/5 BUCS Duathlon/sprint/standard Triathlon events.
b. Achieved a Top 10 senior finish at a 2025 BTF National Series Individual event.
c. Achieved a Top 5 finish in a 2025 BTF National Junior Series Individual event.
d. Achieved a Top 8 senior finish at a 2025 BTF Performance Assessment
e. Win the individual event for Loughborough University at the 2025 BUCS Biathlon.
f. Have been a prior member of the LTPC Performance Squad Discretionary selections.

3.2 Where athletes do not meet the criteria above for automatic selection to the Development squad, there will be a discretionary assessment that will consider Time Trial performance (14 October), triathlon performance history, single discipline performance profile, progression and trajectory, alongside the interview process.

Section 4: Deselection and conditions

4.1 Students accepting selection to an LTPC squad, athletes commit to:

i. Competing at BUCS Triathlon or Biathlon events unless agreed with the Development squad coach, Loughborough Triathlon Head coach and Program manager*

ii. Consistently and positively engaging in Development squad activities; AND

iii. Abiding by all University and British Triathlon student/athlete Codes of Conduct

*Failure to follow will result in automatic selection status being revoked and selection will be discretionary henceforth.

Section 5: Appeals

5.1 There is no appeals process for an athlete who is not selected into the Development squad. However, athletes can request a meeting with the University Head Coach and Development squad coach to discuss their case and obtain further rationale as to why they were not selected for the Development squad for the current year.

Section 6: Amendment

6.1 LTPC reserves the right to amend this Policy to secure the aims of the Policy.

Information and queries

Any queries or requests for further information relating to the policy should be directed to Loughborough University Development Squad Coach Nathan Tweedie.