Blues Performance Scheme
Providing support to high performing teams and athletes studying at Oxford
The Blues Performance Scheme supports high performance teams and individual athletes at Oxford University to improve their long term performance in sport whilst balancing their academic commitments. To find out more about the specific support for teams and individuals please use the tabs below.
Selected Athletes 2018/19
The following individuals were selected as part of the performance programme: –
| Name | College | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Gruen | Balliol College | Athletics |
| Aron Hegedus | Christ Church | Powerlifting |
| Cameron Montgomery | Green Templeton College | Lacrosse |
| Cecilie Andersen | Magdalen College | Orienteering |
| Charlotte Dannatt | St John's College | Athletics |
| Claudia Havranek | Magdalen College | Judo |
| Eoghan Totten | Hertford College | Athletics |
| Georgia Bacon | St Hilda's College | Lacrosse |
| Isaac Kitchen-Smith | Linacre College | Athletics |
| Isabelle Scott | St John's College | Athletics |
| Jack Millar | University College | Athletics |
| Jan Kruszewski | Wadham College | Fencing |
| Jude Bright-Davies | Lincoln College | Athletics |
| Laura Neill | Merton College | Squash |
| Magnus Gregory | Lady Margaret Hall | Canoe Sprint |
| Marcus Pegg | Trinity College | Floorball |
| Matthew Courtis | Linacre College | Swimming |
| Polly Maton | Lady Margaret Hall | Athletics |
| Rachel Wheatley | University College | Judo |
| Rebecca Bell | Pembroke College | Equestrian |
| Thomas Lees | Christ Church | Modern Pentathlon |
| Timothy Lefroy | St Cross College | Athletics |
| TJ Fitzgerald | St Hilda's College | Fencing |
| Zoe Thursz | Green Templeton College | Lacrosse |
Support Offered
All selected performance athletes will receive the following support: -
- Weekly strength and conditioning training (small groups or 1:1)
- Up to four free 1:1 sports nutrition sessions per year
- Up to four free 1:1 sports psychology sessions per year
- Recognition as a performance athlete and promotion of success
- Access to fundamental support
Application Process
The application window opens in mid-August each year and closes in mid-October. All applications should be made online and once performance athletes have been selected there will be no further places available for the academic year. All applicants must meet the following requirement to be considerer for support: -
Athlete Requirements
- Applicants must be a current University of Oxford undergraduate or postgraduate student, undergoing full-time or part-time study
- Applicants must be able to show evidence of outstanding ability within their chosen sport
- Applicants must provide a supporting statement from their coach or National Governing Body to confirm the details of their application
- Applicants must contribute to the success of Oxford University in both BUCS and Varsity competitions. This can be achieved either through competing or adding value to your specific sports program
- Selected athletes must represent Oxford University Sport and the performance scheme to the highest standard at local, national or international competitions
- Selected athletes must keep communications with coaching and other support staff open and inform staff if they are unable to attend allocated sessions
- Selected ahtletes must provide regular updates on results from competitions or sport specific selections
How to Apply
To apply to be a performance athlete for the 2019/20 please use the button below. If you were selected as a performance athlete in 2018/19 you do not need to re-complete the application form.
The deadline for applications is 16:00 on Friday 18th October 2019. Some places may be released prior to the deadine, in order for successful performance athletes to start engaging in support prior to the start of term. Please apply early if you wish to be considered for early release.
Selected Teams 2018/19
The following teams were selected as part of the performance teams programme: –
| Athletics (Men’s and Women’s) | Judo (Men’s and Women’s) |
| Badminton (Men’s) | Lacrosse (Men’s and Women’s) |
| Basketball (Men’s*) | Lawn Tennis (Men’s and Women’s) |
| Boxing (Men’s and Women’s) | Modern Pentathlon |
| Clay Pigeon Shooting (Men’s* and Women’s*) | Netball (Women’s) |
| Cricket (Women’s) | Rugby League (Men’s) |
| Cross Country (Men’s and Women’s) | Rugby Union (Women’s) |
| Cycling (Men’s and Women’s) | Squash (Women’s) |
| Equestrian | Swimming (Men’s and Women’s) |
| Fencing (Men’s and Women’s) | Table Tennis (Men’s and Women’s) |
| Football (Men’s and Women’s) | Triathlon (Men’s and Women’s) |
| Golf (Men’s*) | Ultimate Frisbee (Men’s and Women’s) |
| Gymnastics (Men’s and Women’s) | Volleyball (Men’s and Women’s) |
| Hockey (Men’s and Women’s) | Water Polo (Men’s and Women’s) |
*These teams are not receiving all areas of support.
Support Offered
Performance teams, once selected, will be contacted via team captains to arrange the following support: –
- Weekly team strength and conditioning sessions
- Up to two free team sports nutrition sessions
- Up to two free team sports psychology sessions
- Recognition as a performance team and promotion of success
- Access to fundamental support
Application Process
To find out about the application process to become a performance team, visit our club support pages using the link below. Please note to access our club support resources you must have a single sign on username and password from the University of Oxford.
Fundamental Support
Fundamental support is available to performance teams, performance athletes and all other blues teams (first teams of Oxford University sports clubs). Blues teams who are performance teams should register their team for their members to get access to the fundamental support package.
Subsidised Injury Treatment
Injury treatment is subsidised for athletes registered on the scheme and is delivered through The Bodymaster Clinic, based at Iffley Road Sports Centre. Initial consultations are £23 and follow up appointments are £20. To be eligible for the subsidy you must book an appoint via The Bodymaster Clinic, collect a token from Iffley Road Sports Centre reception (proving you are registered on the scheme) before your appointment and present it to the member of staff at the clinic. For athletes not registered on the scheme, the clinic also offer a discount to all Oxford University students. For all services, the full price list or to book an appointment please visit the Bodymaster Clinic's website.
Subsidised Psychology and Nutrition Sessions
Psychology and nutrition sessions are available, fully funded, as part of the Performance Teams programme and the Performance Athletes programme. In addition, student athletes who wish to book individual sessions can do so at a reduced cost of £50 per session. To book an individual session please contact one of our specialists using the ‘our support staff’ section below.
Our Support Staff
The Blues Performance Scheme is delivered by a team of Oxford University Sport staff, consultant coaches, consultant specialists and the injury treatment team from the Bodymaster Clinic at Iffley Road Sports Centre. Find out more about the team below: –
| Name | Job / Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Taylor | Sports Services Manager | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
| Dan Tibbitt | Sports Coordinator - Competitions | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
| - | Head Strength and Conditioning Coach | TBC |
| Duncan Bennett | Strength and Conditioning Coach | duncan.bennett@sport.ox.ac.uk |
| - | Strength and Conditioning Coach | TBC |
| Mark Bellamy | Sports Psychologist (Consultant) | mark@performt.com |
| Helen Money | Sports Nutritionist (Consultant) | helen@helenmoneynutrition.com |
| Frances Carroll | Sports Nutritionist (Consultant) | contact@francescarroll.co.uk |
