Athletes wanting to train for triathlon and study can apply to either Loughborough University or Loughborough College.

Loughborough University

Loughborough University has maintained its top five ranking for a second successive year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and remains the top university in the Midlands.  The guide ranks universities on nine indicators – teaching quality, student satisfaction, research quality, graduate prospects, entrance qualifications held by new students, degree results achieved, student/staff ratios, service and facilities spend, and degree completion rates. 

In the 2020 guide Loughborough is ranked fifth out of 134 universities and is first in five subject areas: Building; Communication and Media Studies; Criminology; Librarianship and Information Management; and Sport Science.

As well as degree level study, the University offers an one year  Elite Foundation Course for high achieving elite international level athletes who don’t have the predicted grades to be accepted onto University courses

Loughborough College

Loughborough College is located just across the road from Loughborough University and athletes can choose from several courses, including undergraduate degrees endorsed by Loughborough University.  The college provides great options for triathletes unable to achieve the academic standards required by Loughborough University. 

Loughborough College provides high levels of flexibility to work around the demands of elite sport.

Facilities and Training Environment

We are home to the country’s largest concentration of performance facilities across a wide range of sports

• 50m pool
• Indoor and outdoor athletics track
• Powerbase performance gym
• Hilly and flat running on or off-road in local parks, canals and surrounding countryside.
• Quiet roads for hilly and flat riding
• Facilitated sessions at local cycle circuits - Prestwold and New College Leicester
• Access to open water swimming at Six Hills, Mallory Park and Holme Pierrepoint
• Wide range of support services available to all selected LTPC members (Physio, S+C, Physiology, Nutrition)

Squad Standards and Eligibility

There are three triathlon squads in Loughborough:

LTPC (Loughborough Triathlon Performance Centre) which aims to develop and support athletes up to World and Olympic level.  Members of this squad are either on the World Class Programme, students who have been selected via LTPC trials or ITU international level non-students who add value to the squad.  Indicative standards for 18 year olds in 2020-21 are below:

NB. achieving these standards is not a guarantee of squad membership

The Development Squad is the link between LTPC and the Athletic Union (AU) Squad and caters for athletes who are competing in both elite and age-group racing. The main squad focus of the squad is national level competitions and British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competition. There are no set entry standards for this squad but race results and trial performances are considered.

The AU triathlon club is aimed at participation through to age-group and BUCS racing

Athletes who want to be part of the LTPC squad need to submit an application which opens in July each year and closes at the end of the first week in September. Full information about performance squad standards can also be found at point of application.

More information about the Development and AU Squads can be found here:

Training at Loughborough

LTPC

Loughborough is a busy Centre and has 2 squads each with assigned full time coaches these are; the LTPC squad and the Development Squad. The LTPC operates with 3 coaches and the Development Squad operates with one coach. Please read on to find out more about how sessions work and listen to interviews from all the coaches and from two athletes in each of the squads. In addition the Athletic Union (AU) Club has some coached support, more information on the AU club can be found below too.

Training runs year-round and athletes are encouraged to train together outside of organised sessions. High levels of individual coaching and support are available.

 A typical week includes:

• 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

The squad also receives physiotherapy, physiology, nutrition and lifestyle support.   

Loughborough is also a TASS recognised delivery hub and links TASS support to the LTPC to avoid duplication of services.

LTPC Olympic Performance Coach

LTPC Olympic Performance Coach, Adam Elliott, tells us about the Triathlon programme.

LTPC High Performance Coach

LTPC High Performance Coach, Gavin Smith, tells us about the Triathlon programme.

LTPC Assistant Coach

LTPC Assistant Coach and East Midlands Academy Regional Lead, Rob Bridges, tells us about the Triathlon programme.

LTPC Athlete

Loughborough University performance squad athlete, Sophie Alden, tells us about the Triathlon programme.

LTPC Athlete

Loughborough University performance squad athlete, Harry Leuleu, tells us about the Triathlon programme.

Development

Training sessions run throughout the academic 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 possible.A typical week includes:

• 6 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 fitness sessions

Development Squad Coach

Loughborough University development squad coach, Jack Hall, tells us about the Triathlon programme.

Development Squad Athlete

Loughborough University development squad athlete, Forbes Jackson, tells us about the Triathlon programme.

Development Squad Athlete

Loughborough University development squad athlete, Rachel Vatter, tells us about the Triathlon programme.

Athletic Union Club

Training sessions run through throughout the academic year and are coached by student coaches.  The squad can take up to 60 members.

• 5 x 60 minutes coached swims
• 2 x run sessions
• 1 x bike sessions
• 2 x long group rides

Scholarships and Support

A new three-tier scholarship programme is being introduced in 2020.  Scholarships will be aimed at the recruitment of athletes to the LTPC squad.  There will be bursaries available to support athletes at Level 1 and 2.  Level 3 athletes will received free Athletic Union and gym membership .  In addition, high calibre athletes may be able to be offered reduced academic grades to facilitate their entry to the university.

All LTPC athletes will receive performance support services regardless of whether they are scholarship or TASS athletes. 

Finding Out More

Both Loughborough University and Loughborough College have undergraduate open days which we would encourage you to attend.  Come and meet us at the Loughborough University Open Day Triathlon talk.

Please contact Centre Director, Alison Wyeth if you have any further questions alisonwyeth@britishtriathlon.org