Elite Athlete Scheme

We help students striving to fulfil their athletic potential whilst studying at our institution; providing specialist sport science support, mentoring, sport massage and physiotherapy as well as nutritional advice, lifestyle management and strength and conditioning. Financial contributions are provided to assist with fees associated with competing such as travel and accommodation.

Meet our Elite Athlete class of 2023-24 below

Scheme Eligibility

• Must participate in a sport recognised by BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport)
• Applicants must agree to represent the University in their chosen sport
• Applicants must be on a full time undergraduate or postgraduate course at the University of Sunderland for the year they are applying
• Applicants must have been selected within the last 18 months to compete at the level which they state in their application - Regional, National or International
• Previous acceptance on the scheme does not guarantee a space the following year. You must apply each year!

Alongside the eligibility criteria, once you are a member of Team Sunderland as an Elite Athlete we have some conditions you will need to continually meet:

• Successful applicants to the scheme must have exemplary class attendance and maintain satisfactory academic and sporting progress to retain access to the allocated support
• It is expected that students entering the scheme will play a full part in sport at the University of Sunderland and represent the university when it is compatible with their training, competition and academic programmes
• Scheme participants are required to display the highest standards of sporting behaviours at all times as expected in sport generally & abide by the Team Sunderland Code of Conduct
• Each successful athlete must sign a Team Sunderland contract and payments will be made in instalments when relevant criteria is met