ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ awarded UK Sport Elite Training Centre status
The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ has become the latest university to be awarded Elite Training Centre (ETC) status by UK Sport, recognising its role in providing a world-class high-performance environment for Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches and practitioners.
Published 06 Aug 2026
As the nation's high-performance sports agency, UK Sport supports Britain's most talented athletes to maximise their chances of success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Through its Elite Training Centre programme, UK Sport works in partnership with leading organisations to create thriving environments for UK Sport-funded sports and athletes to deliver systematic and sustainable high performance.
The accreditation marks a significant milestone for the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and recognises years of investment in developing an outstanding performance environment and a culture of excellence that enables elite athletes and coaches to thrive.
As part of the UK Sport Elite Training Centre network, the university will collaborate with leading high-performance environments across the UK, sharing expertise and best practice while helping to drive innovation and sustained Olympic and Paralympic success. The network is designed to strengthen connections across the UK's high-performance system, providing athletes with access to world-class facilities, people and performance environments.
The university's partnerships with British Weight Lifting and British Wheelchair Basketball were instrumental in securing the accreditation. These partnerships have helped create a high-performance environment where athletes and coaches can prepare for success on the international stage.
Most recently, athletes supported through these programmes enjoyed outstanding success at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, returning with an impressive haul of medals across both sports. The achievements are a source of great pride for the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and reflect the quality of the performance environment, coaching and support services available on campus.
Elite Training Centre status will now create even greater opportunities to enhance programme delivery, develop coaches and practitioners, expand collaborative research, strengthen strategic partnerships and attract elite athletes. Building on the success of its national governing body partnerships, the university is well placed to play an increasingly important role in supporting the preparation of Great Britain's Olympic and Paralympic athletes, further strengthening its reputation as one of the UK's leading centres for elite sporting performance.
We are incredibly proud to have been recognised by UK Sport as an Elite Training Centre. This accreditation is a fantastic acknowledgement of the ambition of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and our long-term commitment to creating an exceptional high-performance environment. It recognises not only the quality of our facilities and integrated support services, but also the outstanding practitioners who deliver exceptional provision every day. Their expertise, dedication and collaborative approach are fundamental to the success of our athletes and performance programmes. Becoming part of the UK Sport Elite Training Centre network is an exciting opportunity to work even more closely with key partners in the performance landscape, share expertise and continue driving innovation. We look forward to building on our existing partnerships and playing an even greater role in supporting Olympic and Paralympic success in the years ahead.
Alex Perry, Assistant Director of Sport, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Sport
About the UK Sport Elite Training Centre network
To achieve UK Sport accreditation, centres must demonstrate excellence across areas including facilities, people, partnerships and athlete support, alongside a clear commitment to continuous improvement.
Elite Training Centres form part of a UK-wide network of high performance environments, designed to support athletes, coaches and practitioners through collaboration, shared learning and access to world-class expertise.
Further information about the UK Sport Elite Training Centre programme and the expanded network of accredited centres is available on the UK Sport website: .