Performance Nutrition Mentoring and Coaching Programme

Find out more about the Mentoring and Coaching Programme on offer here at Loughborough Sport

At Loughborough Sport, we are deeply committed to nurturing aspiring coaches and practitioners within the UK’s elite sports landscape. Supporting ~800 funded athletes, scholars, and first-team athletes across a diverse range of sports and athletic disciplines. As part of our interdisciplinary sports programme, we offer a unique environment for developing a wide array of skills.

Our Professional Mentoring and Coaching Service is now in its second year, building upon the success of the Loughborough Sport Stipend Placement and Voluntary Internship program. Over the past decade, we have seamlessly integrated mentoring and coaching alongside the MSc in Physiology and Nutrition, resulting in successful graduates securing roles at prestigious national governing bodies (such as the UK Sports Institute and British Rowing) and professional sports organizations (including Stoke City Football Club Academy, Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club, Leicester Tigers, and London City Lionesses).

This mentoring and coaching opportunity offers a chance to work with senior members of the Performance Nutrition team. We are offering an opportunity for recently graduated Performance Nutritionists starting their careers to engage in a supportive and challenging mentoring and coaching programme over the course of a year.

We recognize the power of both mentorship and coaching. While mentorship involves sharing advice based on personal experience, coaching focuses on supporting self-discovery and thoughtful discussions. Our program combines these approaches because we believe that learning through personal experiences is the most effective way to develop as a professional.

What is included?

The aim is to offer a flexible and tailored support service to you as the mentee. It is envisaged that candidates will opt for one of the following routes monthly, but this can be changed throughout the year depending on what’s right for you:

  • 2x 1 hour 1-to-1 coaching and mentoring meetings.
  • 1x 1 hour 1-to-1 coaching and mentoring plus 1 hour support through WhatsApp, Email, Phone Call as required.

Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to network with our Loughborough Sport Performance Nutrition team, which comprises 18 practitioners working across a multisport environment at various stages of development. You’ll also connect with our Loughborough Sport Alumni network and other key contacts relevant to your career growth.

Through this program, you’ll develop essential skills in areas such as personal growth, problem-solving, self-reliance, and overall skill enhancement.

What is required?

  • Degree in Sport Science or related topic.
  • Postgraduate qualifications in Performance Nutrition / Sports Nutrition or related discipline
  • Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR) graduate or registrant or equivalent registration (e.g., HCPC)
  • Completed post-graduate qualifications with the last 3 years
  • Mentees should be actively working or volunteering in the Performance or Sports Nutrition industry (1-2 hours per week minimum)

Who will be mentoring me?

Mentoring and coaching will be provided by the two most senior members of the Performance Nutrition Team – Andrew Shepherd (Performance Nutrition Lead) and Harriet Bates (Performance Nutritionist). Between them, Andrew and Harriet have 21 years of experience in the industry and have worked across elite and development environments from Olympic, World, European, Commonwealth and Professional sport.

Andrew leads the Performance Nutrition team at Loughborough Sport, supporting the development and delivery across internal and external services. He leads on relationships with key partners both on and off campus. Leading the delivery for swimming and the Centre of Excellence for Boxing. Having previously held roles at Swim England, British Diving, England Athletics, Sheffield Hallam University, and worked extensively in boxing, triathlon, and athletics. Andrew is also the Performance Nutrition Lead for ParalympicsGB ahead of Paris 2024. Find out more about Andrew’s career here: LinkedIn.

How to apply?

Click here to complete the form to apply for the 2024-2025 mentoring and coaching cohort
Send a copy of your CV to Andrew Shepherd (A.Shepherd2@lboro.ac.uk). The deadline for submission is Monday 1 July 2024 at 9:00 am.
Shortlisting will take place on Monday 1 July 2024.

After this process is complete, we will invite a small cohort of potential mentees to discuss their application in more detail. The aim of this will be to explore how we can best support your journey, decide on the best mentor/mentee combinations as well as to understand more about what you are hoping to gain from the experience.

Additional details:

  • Mentees will sign up for 12 months
  • Cost - £100.50/month. Payable in instalments or as a lump sum
  • Mentees can renew their place at the end of 1 year, for a maximum of 2 years on the mentoring programme.
  • This initial cohort will have a maximum capacity of 4 places
  • Approximate start date of week commencing 1 August 2024 and end date 31 July 2025