High Performance Academy

Staffordshire University Sport’s High-Performance Academy aims to provide the best possible personalised schemes for highly talented athletes, coaches and officials and their individual needs.

Our main objective is to help enrich, develop and improve the student experience whilst studying at the university. Within the HPA, high performing sporting students can apply to any of the three yearlong tailormade scholarship or development schemes, depending on their requirements whilst studying here at the university.

We offer three schemes, one scholarship scheme, the Performance Athlete Scholarship Scheme (PASS) and two development schemes , the Talented Athlete Development Scheme (TADS) and our Coaching & Officiating Development Scheme (CODS).

All schemes consist of the same basic support package which includes:

  • Strength and conditioning
  • Nutrition advice
  • Sports psychology
  • Sports therapy sessions
  • Academic flexibility
  • HPA kit bundle
  • Dual career mentoring
  • Free gym and facility access
  • Free BUCS membership 

Performance Athlete Scholarship Scheme

Applying to be part of PASS requires applicants to compete at either a regional, national or international stage within the past 2 years, evidence will be required on submission. Once accepted onto the scholarship, PASS athletes will have access to the following additional benefits:

  • Bursaries (up to £3,000 depending on level of competition)*
  • 1 to 1 strength and conditioning coached sessions
  • 1 to 1 sports psychology sessions
  • Higher levels of academic flexibility
  • St Georges Park athlete testing/experience days
  • Dual career TASS qualified mentoring

*to receive this funding students must be on a full time undergraduate course.

Talented Athlete Development Scheme

When applying for TADS, applicants must be currently competing at a regional or national standard or show evidence that they are able to do so. TADS athletes will have access to the following additional benefits:

  • Group strength and conditioning coached sessions
  • Group Sports psychology sessions
  • St Georges Park athlete testing/experience day
  • Access to small amount of funding
  • Free BUCS competition entries
  • Dual career advice

Coaching & Officiating Development Scheme

Coaching applicants must have or be in the process of achieving a UKCC Level 2 (or equivalent) in a sport recognized by Sport England. Officiating applicants must be currently officiating at a regional, national or international level. Added benefits to the scheme consist of the following

  • Dual career mentoring
  • Additional fund access
  • Career pathway development

Red Staffordshire University logo next to the words High Performance Academy
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Thea the skier wins bronze at World University Games

A Staffordshire University skier is flying high after winning a medal for Team GB at the World University Games
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Sports scholarship helps give world figure skating student the edge

A Staffordshire University student has pivoted his way to six gold medals at the World Inclusive Skating Championships.

Eligibility

Each scheme has their own set of eligibility criteria, plus applicants must meet the following requirements for entry onto any HPA scheme:

  • Compete, Officiate or Coach at a high level of competition (junior or senior)
  • Demonstrate passion and commitment to your sport
  • Meet the academic requirements of the course
  • Be able to provide credible references

Performance Athlete Scholarship Scheme
  • Applicants must be enrolled on a full time undergraduate course with Staffordshire University
  • Applicants must maintain a good-high level of academic achievement
  • Applicants must compete at a regional, national or international level (junior or senior) or show strong evidence of the potential to do so.
  • Applicants must participate in a sport that is recognised by Sport England
  • Applicants must be studying at any of our campuses within the UK
  • Applicants must be able to represent Staffordshire University in their chosen sport

Talented Athlete Development Scheme
  • Applicants must be enrolled on a full-time/part-time undergraduate or postgraduate course with Staffordshire University
  • Applicants must maintain a good level of academic achievement
  • Applicants must be competing at a regional or national/national league level or show strong evidence to do so.
  • Applicants must be studying at any of our campuses within the UK
  • Applicants must be able to represent Staffordshire University in their chosen sport

Coaching & Officiating Development Scheme
  • Applicants must be enrolled on a full-time/part-time undergraduate or postgraduate course with Staffordshire University
  • Applicants must be involved in the coaching or officiating of a regional, national or international level.
  • Applicants must show a desire and willingness to work in the Coaching or Officiating sectors.
  • Applicants must maintain a good level of academic achievement
  • Applicants must hold a minimum UKCC Level 2 (or equivalent) coaching/officiating qualification or have evidence to show working towards this.

Submitting your application

When applying, applicants will be required to check their eligibility before completion. Once the application is completed it will be forwarded to a HPA staff member for processing.

Applicants will be informed if they are successful via email once the entry deadline has passed.

Applications close 29 September 2024

Please submit all applications before this date. Please note we reserve the right to reject any application after this date.

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