LTC is the performance arm of Triathlon Leeds. Athletes wanting to train for triathlon and study in Leeds can apply to either The University of Leeds or Leeds Beckett University.
University of Leeds
University of Leeds (UoL) Leeds is ranked in the top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2020.
The University was The Times and The Sunday Times’ University of the Year in 2017 and is currently ranked 13th in its Good University Guide 2020 . Staff have been awarded 25 National Teaching Fellowships – more than any other university.
University of Leeds is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities
To find out more about the University click here.
Leeds Beckett University
Creating inspirational teaching and learning environments is key to Leeds Beckett University. Graduates bring much-needed skills to the local community, from teachers and nurses to lawyers and engineers. Our mission is to ensure we use our knowledge and resources to make a positive and decisive difference to people, communities and organisations.
Over the next five years LBU will be investing £200 million in campus developments, which cover a wide range of projects across campuses. These are significant developments to enhance and improve the infrastructure, and provide modern and state-of-the-art facilities for students, staff and partners.
Facilities and Training Environment
Athletes training at the Leeds Triathlon Centre will use several facilities both on and off campus at UoL and Leeds Beckett.
- Brownlee Centre Circle circuit and performance gym https://sport.leeds.ac.uk/facilities/bodington-playing-fields/
- Indoor straight (opening 2020) and outdoor athletics track – Leeds Beckett https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/our-university/facilities/sports-facilities/
- Performance gym – Leeds Beckett and Uni of Leeds at The Edge https://sport.leeds.ac.uk/the-edge/
- Swimming pools at The Edge, John Charles Centre for Sport https://active.leeds.gov.uk/findacentre/johncharlescentreforsport and Leeds Beckett University
- A wide variety of hilly and flat running on or off-road running in local parks and canals
- Quiet roads for flat, hilly and very hilly riding!
- Access to open water swimming at Otley Sailing Club during the summer
Squad Standards and Eligibility
There are three selected triathlon squads and one participation Athletic Union triathlon squad in Leeds.
Squads are selected at the start of the academic year via a swim bike run trial. No trial is needed for the Athletic Union Triathlon Club.
All athletes wishing to apply for a squad should apply via the following link which will open in July each year https://www.leedstriathloncentre.co.uk/join-us.html
Squad Standards
| SQUADS | ELIGIBILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance (no trial needed) | BTF Funded Athlete |
Training Environment Enhancer (TEE) |
Any Other Athletes with Performance Potential |
|
| Development (Application and Trial required) |
BTF Funded Athlete |
Current University of Leeds Student |
Current Leeds Beckett Student |
Any Other Athletes with Performance Potential |
| BUCS (Application and Trial required) |
Current University of Leeds Student |
Current Leeds Beckett Student |
||
| AU (Application required) |
Current University of Leeds Student |
Current Leeds Beckett Student |
||
Coached and Group Sessions
Leeds is a busy Centre and has 3 squads each with assigned coaches these are; the BUCS, Development and Performance squads. Please read on to find out more about how sessions work and listen to interviews from coaches and athletes in each squad. All athletes new to the Leeds environment are selected into either the BUCS or Development squad and the majority of interviews are focussed here. Performance squad membership is by invite with athletes normally progressing forward from the Development squad. We have included an interview with Performance squad athlete Jack Willis below to give some idea of life in that squad.
BUCS Squad
BUCS squad sessions run during term time only and are supported by a dedicated coach and coach interns. Athletes are encouraged to train together outside of the organised sessions. Running and riding will be linked to Development/Performance Squad sessions where appropriate. A typical week includes:
- 5 x coached swims
- 2 x run sessions
- 2 x bike sessions
- Squad S+C
BUCS Coach
BUCS squad coach, Alan Copland, tells us more about the programme.
BUCS Athlete
BUCS squad athlete, Sam O'Shea, tells us more about the programme.
BUCS Athlete
BUCS squad athlete, Jemma Speers, tells us more about the programme.
Development Squad
Training sessions run throughout the year and are run by a dedicated squad coach.Athletes are encouraged to train together outside of the organised sessions. Running and riding will be linked to Performance Squad sessions where appropriate. A typical week includes:
- 5 x 60-90 minute coached swims, including open water in the summer
- 1 x bike session
- 2 x long group bike rides
- 2 x coaches run sessions
- 2 x S+C sessions
Athletes on the Development Squad can access support services including nutrition, physiology and sports psychology in line with University resources.
Student athletes are expected to compete in BUCS competitions.
The Leeds Beckett University is also a TASS recognised centre https://www.tass.gov.uk and links TASS support to the LTC.
Development Squad Coach
Leeds Development Coach and Yorkshire Regional Academy Lead, Sinan Osman, tells us more.
Development Squad Athlete
Development squad athlete, Natasha Sinha, tells us more about the programme.
Development Squad Athlete
Development squad athlete, Toby Osman, tells us more about the programme.
Performance Squad
- 5 x 90 minutes coached swims, including open water in the summer
- 1 x bike session
- 2 x long group bike rides
- 2 x coached run sessions
- 3 x strength and conditioning sessions??
World Class Programme athletes on this squad also receive physiotherapy, physiology, nutrition and lifestyle support through the EIS.
Performance Squad Athlete
Performance squad athlete, Jack Willis, tells us more.
Athletic Union Club
Training sessions run through throughout the academic year and are coached by qualified coaches and student coaches. Weekly sessions include:
- 2 x swim sessions
- 1-2 x bike sessions dependent on experience
- 1-2 x run sessions dependent on experience
Students in the AU club also get together to organise training, events and social activity outside of organised training
Watch videos below from the squad coaches and athletes to find out more about what it is like to train and study here.
Scholarships and Support
The University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University award triathlon scholarships on an annual basis. Scholarships are awarded during the first semester of the academic year. To find out more follow the links below.
https://sport.leeds.ac.uk/sport/performance-sport-scholarships/
https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/sport/sports/sports-scholarships/
Finding Out More
Both University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University hold open days which we would encourage you to attend.
Find out about the University of Leeds Open Day here.
Find out about the Leeds Beckett University Open Day here.
In addition if you are interested in our Performance or Development Squad and want to find out more about what it is like to train in Leeds, please contact us to make arrangements for a visit to train in the Leeds environment.
Please contact Centre Director, Alison Wyeth if you have any further questions alisonwyeth@britishtriathlon.org
