Wednesday 20 September 2023 is the International Day of University Sport (IDUS), celebrated annually since it was officially proclaimed as such in 2016 by the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO). 

The values encompassed by sporting opportunities at universities, and everything that falls under the umbrella term of sport, resonate deeply with the values of Leeds Trinity University; Dignity and Care, Solidarity and Service, Honesty and Integrity, Respect and Inclusivity, and Knowledge and Excellence.  

These values can be seen across all sporting landscapes from social, grassroot sports sessions, to the upskilling of sports coaches and leaders, and performance athletes competing at the highest level within their sport. It is these values that, when engaging in any aspect of university sport, creates lifelong friendships, transferable skills, a sense of belonging and camaraderie to those who take part. This is not only applicable to team sports, but also to those who participate in individual sports when, for example, they give back to local communities by volunteering in sports organisations. 

At Leeds Trinity University, our Dual Career support falls under our Talented Athlete Support Package. First developed in 2016 the package has gone from strength to strength, most recently resulting in the University gaining Dual Career Accreditation status from TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme). The package utilises the expertise of our staff ensuring that an athlete’s wellbeing is placed at the centre of all decision making and developed around the University’s values. 

We’re often quoted at Leeds Trinity saying ‘you’re a name, not a number’ to our students, and we stand by this by having an athlete’s wellbeing at the heart of decision making. Every athlete is different in the support they require, the time they need with their tutors and their sport’s performance assessment support. One size doesn’t fit all. 

Our dual career athletes are essentially managing full time studies and a full-time sporting career, both being high pressure environments requiring hard work, determination, resilience and the ability to manage stress. It is these skills that Leeds Trinity aims to develop so student athletes can take them into the workplace upon graduation and apply to their chosen field of work as well as in other areas of their personal and professional lives. 

In 2016, the University also launched its Inspiring Futures Programme as part of our 50th anniversary year, launched by former Chancellor, Gabby Logan, with one strand of this being a Sporting Excellence fund. Since then, Dual Career athletes competing at National or International level in their sport have received over £7000 to contribute to their sporting expenses such as travel, and additional training equipment. I know first-hand from working with the athletes how much this support has meant to them, especially in the current financial climate. 

On this year’s International Day of University Sport, we’re celebrating the strides we’ve made since 2016 to create a package we’re proud of, that applies our core values to our student athletes and that ensures we can watch them flourish while studying with us. 

Sarah Todd is the Sport Development and Performance Manager at Leeds Trinity University. 

Leeds Trinity University has a wide range of sporting opportunities on offer to students. Those interested in taking part can find out more information on the website.

More information on the sports courses available at Leeds Trinity University is also available online.