School of Sport and Wellbeing

Welcome to the School of Sport and Wellbeing

The team in Sport and Wellbeing welcomes you to our exciting and dynamic School. As a team with strong research and applied practice in industry experience which we bring into our teaching and learning, we provide an exciting set of degree programmes that prepare you for the world of work or further study in our exciting sector.

This year has seen some amazing sports (e.g., Olympics and Paralympics) which have once again highlighted the wealth of opportunities to work in and around sport, whether in high-performance sport or participation in health and wellbeing roles. We’ve seen that behind every sportsperson is a team of experts providing support and guidance. We’ve seen the impact sport has on communities and its potential for enhancing individuals’ wellbeing. Career opportunities that relate physical activity to both physical and mental health are continuing to grow.

The importance of the Health and Social Care sector is evident in the mainstream media and was further highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a growing sector, our Health and Social Care programme equips you for graduate opportunities, to provide well-informed and evidenced-based decision-making in a variety of related roles.

Increasingly, graduates need to stand out from their competitors in the job market. Our focus on employability has led us to strong Graduate Outcome data, illustrating how well-regarded our graduates are in the workplace. Our students get real insight into working in their respective sector, gain career-enhancing experience and develop networks that will support them during and after their studies.

Our achievements

100% of our School of Sport and Wellbeing graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduating

Graduate Outcomes, Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), published 2024

Health and Social Care is ranked joint 20th in the UK for student satisfaction

The Complete University Guide 2026 - Health Studies discipline (which includes Health and Social Care) student satisfaction subject league table, released June 2025

Leeds Trinity University is top in Yorkshire and top 10 in the UK for 'satisfaction with teaching'

The Guardian University Guide 2025

Leeds Trinity University is top in Yorkshire and top 10 in the UK for ‘satisfaction with teaching’

The Guardian University Guide 2025

Our courses

Undergraduate courses

Postgraduate courses

Study courses endorsed and accredited by professional bodies

Our Sport and Exercise Sciences degree is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) – the professional body for sport and exercise sciences in the UK.

The course is also endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector, for the Gym Instructor professional standard. Students who successfully complete this course will have met the Gym Instructor professional standard and will be eligible for CIMSPA membership, while also gaining a degree endorsed by an organisation recognised in the professional sector.

Our Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation degree is accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists. Students who graduate from this course and fulfil the requirements of membership of the Society of Sports Therapists will be eligible for full membership of the Society.

A School with connections

We work with a number of organisations locally and across the UK.

Our partners have offered our students placement and graduate opportunities throughout the years as well as visited campus to host guest lectures.

Make more happen with our specialist facilities

School activities

We pride ourselves on the number of opportunities our students can experience when they study within the School of Sport and Wellbeing.

Throughout the academic year, the activities have ranged from an inspirational and thought-provoking talk from Olympic Gymnast, Nile Wilson, to Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation CPD sessions on ACL injuries and tendinopathy masterclasses to physiology testing for potential Olympic skiers.

Below are some other examples of what our students have been up to this year.

St Georges' Park visit

St George's Park

Image of Sport and Wellbeing staff at a Leeds Knight match..

Leeds Knights partnership

Leeds Knights

Olympic medalist shares career lessons

Nile Wilson

Sports Therapy CPD sessions

MSK Ltd

Meet our alumni

Our alumni have been making an impact since we opened our doors in 1966. Read more about our exceptional graduates and how they got to where they are today.

Jodie Wilkinson - Professional Boxer

"In 2022 I represented England in the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham."

Meet Jodie

Ellis Pascall, Women's Team Manager at Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club

"Leeds Trinity helped me prepare for my career in so many ways, from making sure I can hit deadlines on time to giving me experience in writing lesson plans for the sessions I currently deliver. The big plus for me was the number of placement opportunities I was able to take advantage of."

Meet Ellis

Annum Hussain, Sports Therapist, Bradford Bulls Women's Rugby League Team

"I had the amazing opportunity of working with Bradford City Women’s Football Club before becoming the main Sports Therapist for Bradford Bulls Women’s Rugby League Team."

Meet Annum

Khalid Khan, Health and Social Care Lecturer and Nutritional Therapist

"I enjoyed the content and the delivery, along with learning from my tutors who are experts in the field. The online course delivery was flexible and engaging and platforms used for study materials, events and interactions were solid and easy to access."

Meet Khalid

Cutting-edge research

View our research

The School of Sport and Wellbeing brings together undergraduate and postgraduate provision from a range of sport, physical activity, health and wellbeing, and physical education subjects that centre on improving the physical, mental and social health of individuals, groups and communities; we also focus on enhancing the human performance of individuals in whatever setting they live and work.

We encompass research and knowledge exchange, teaching and learning, and professional practice expertise from a range of disciplines and have a strong focus on enhancing the employability of our students and graduates.

Research themes

Improving Health and Performance in the Workplace

Academic Leads

Professor Mark Russell
Dr Nicola Arjomandkhah
Dr Lisa Gannon

Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan

Academic Leads

Professor Martin Barwood
Dr Lisa Gannon
Dr Danielle Davis

Sports, Physical Activity and Exercise Performance

Academic Leads

Professor Mark Russell
Dr Danielle Davis

Our people

Name	Position	Link to full profile
Adam Lunn	Lecturer	Research profile
Dr Danielle Davis	Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science	Research profile
Dr Kirstie Grace	Deputy Head of School: Sport and Wellbeing	Research profile
Dr Lisa Gannon	Associate Professor (Professional Practice)	Research profile
Dr Luke Barnes	Lecturer in Sport Psychology	Research profile
Professor Martin Barwood		Research profile
Mathew Carter-Woodhead	Senior University Teacher in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Robert Elliott	Lecturer in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation	Research profile