Athlete Wellbeing Course Introduced at Loughborough

Loughborough University has launched a new course dedicated to professionals responsible for the wellbeing of elite athletes, a world-first of its kind.

The qualification, called Elite Athlete Wellbeing Management, which will be run by the Wellbeing Science Institute (WSI) from campuses at Loughborough, aims to enhance the professional development offered in the UK.

Professionals will gain knowledge and skills relating to elite athlete wellbeing including everything from sleep, injury recovery, psychological wellbeing, positive mental health, dual-career strategy, relocations and financial wellbeing.

The course has been specifically designed by WSI, an Australian institution dedicated to holistic and developmental approaches to elite athlete wellbeing.

Jo Simpson, Commercial and Facilities Director at Loughborough Sport, said:

"Loughborough Sport is all about innovation and the holistic support we offer our outstanding athletes is at the heart of everything we do."

"By working with WSI to bring this course to Europe, we will develop that further and deepen our connections with top sporting organisations as we develop the next generation of leaders in elite athlete wellbeing."

"This will drive performance and shape the future of how sporting organisations support elite athletes with their wellbeing throughout the sporting world."

The course was first launched in 2017 in Australia and at the time was the first programme of its kind in the world.

It has been endorsed by a number of professional sporting organisations including the National Rugby League, The Australian Cricketers Association, the Queensland Academy of Sport and the Rugby League Players Association.

In the UK, it has already attracted interest from a number of professionals in the sporting industry. This includes those associated with Liverpool FC, Manchester City, Arsenal FC, West Ham United FC, Harlequins Rugby, The Gaelic Players Association, and The League Managers Association.

Steve Johnson, Chief Executive Officer at the WSI, added: "The programme will provide a world-class professional development for practitioners looking to provide leadership and excellence in their work with elite athletes across the UK and Europe."

"Loughborough was a natural fit for the Wellbeing Science Institute and what it is working to achieve because of its world-leading reputation for sport."