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 2023/24
The following individuals were selected as part of the performance programme. Click on their name to visit their athlete profile: –
Name | College | Sport |
---|---|---|
Tarka Abraham | Somerville College | Equestrian |
Michael Allison | St Anne's College | Athletics |
Phoebe Baggott | Hertford College | Athletics |
Charlotte Buckley | Oriel College | Athletics & Cross Country |
Daniel Cox | Brasenose College | Hockey |
Ioan Cressey-Rodgers | St Peter's College | Swimming |
Hannah Davis | St John's College | Cricket |
Matthew Dean | Lady Margaret Hall | Amputee Football |
Zoé Faure Beaulieu | St Catherine's College | Triathlon & Swimming |
Ella Fryer | St Catherine's College | Athletics |
Emma Godden | St Cross College | Modern Pentathlon |
Harry Grindle | Linacre College | Athletics |
Alexander Gruen | Keble College | Athletics & Cross Country |
Amelia Henley | Somerville College | Squash |
Rosemary Huck | St John's College | Water Polo |
Bronwen Hyde | University College | Fencing |
Nani Jackson | St Hilda's College | Swimming |
Laura John | Magdalen College | Triathlon |
Sneha Kotecha | St Catherine's College | Tennis |
Roberto Lacourt | University College | Boxing |
Maranga Mokaya | Keble College | Athletics |
Alex Wilkinson | Keble College | Rugby Union |
Naomi Young | Oriel College | Equestrian |
Support Offered
All selected performance athletes will receive the following support: -
- Weekly strength and conditioning training (small groups or 1-to-1)
- 1-to-1 sports nutrition sessions
- 1-to-1 sports psychology sessions
- Recognition as a performance athlete and promotion of success
- Access to fundamental support
The following sport scholarships and funding are also available to a limited amount of successful applicants:
- Richard and Eliza Blackwell Scholarships - £500
Application Process
The application window opens in early July each year and closes at the start of September. 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 offer holder or 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 athletes must provide regular updates on results from competitions or sport specific selections
How to Apply
Applications for the 2024/25 season open on the 17th May, 2024 and close at 23:59 on the 1st September, 2024. Applications can be made via the online form (after the 17th May). Application forms in an Accessible Word Document format are available on request (email performance@sport.ox.ac.uk).
Selected Teams 2023/24
The following teams were selected as part of the performance teams programme: –
Tier 1
Athletics (Mixed) |
Lacrosse (Women's) |
Cross Country (Mixed) |
Rowing - Openweight (Men's) |
Fencing (Mixed) |
Rowing - Openweight (Women's) |
Hockey (Men's) | Rugby Union (Men's) |
Hockey (Women's) | Rugby Union (Women's) |
Tier 2
Badminton (Mixed) | Rowing - Lightweight (Men's) |
Cycling (Mixed) |
Rowing - Lightweight (Women's) |
Lacrosse (Men's) |
Swimming (Mixed) |
Lawn Tennis (Mixed) |
Triathlon (Mixed) |
Modern Pentathlon (Mixed) |
Water Polo (Mixed) |
Netball (Women's) |
Yachting (Mixed) |
Orienteering (Mixed) |
Tier 3
American Football (Mixed) | Ice Hockey (Men's) |
Basketball (Men's) | Polo (Mixed) |
Basketball (Women's) | Rugby League (Mixed) |
Boxing (Men's) | Squash (Men's) |
Boxing (Women's) | Squash (Women's) |
Equestrian (Mixed) | Volleyball (Men's) |
Football (Men's) | Volleyball (Women's) |
Football (Women's) |
Support Offered
Performance teams, once selected, will be contacted via team captains to arrange the following support: –
- Weekly strength and conditioning sessions
- Team nutrition session(s)
- Team sports psychology session(s)
- 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.
Our Support Staff
The Blues Performance Scheme is delivered by a team of Oxford University Sport staff, consultant coaches and consultant specialists. Find out more about the team below: –
Name | Job / Role | |
---|---|---|
Andy Taylor | Head of Sport & Physical Activity | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
Richard Harding | Sports Coordinator - Competitions | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
Tiahan Eeles | Head Strength and Conditioning Coach | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
James Wappett | Strength and Conditioning Coach | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
Joanna Train | Sports Psychologist | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
Stefano Montanari | Sports Nutritionist | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
Contact Us
01865 611490