The Laurus Trust - which includes Droylsden’s Laurus Ryecroft School - has announced a new partnership with Loughborough University aimed at supporting the sporting stars of tomorrow.

The Trust has developed a brand new ELITE Pathway initiative to help talented students thrive and excel in the sporting arena while being fully supported in their academic achievements.

The Pathway will provide specific opportunities not usually available within state education to those students with the potential to participate in sport at a professional level.

Up to 60 students across the Laurus Trust’s five secondary schools - including Laurus Ryecroft - will now have the opportunity to work with high level coaches and receive expert support.

The talented students will work with some of sport’s leading clubs and trainers in tailored mentoring and coaching sessions.

There will be personal training, strength and conditioning coaching, bespoke prehab and rehab sessions, video analysis and links with nutritionists, psychologists and physiotherapists.

It is the first time Loughborough University has partnered with schools to deliver such an ambitious programme.

Loughborough has been named one of the UK’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research, academic excellence and unrivalled achievement in sport.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS stars university rating scheme and named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects - consistently appearing in the top 10 national league tables.

Ed Haslam, Laurus Trust Director of Sporting Excellence, said: “We’re incredibly excited to launch the ELITE Pathway to ensure every student has access to an all-round, educational, sporting experience.

“Our principles very much align with those of Loughborough University and we are thrilled to have them on board to help support the training and education of our student athletes.

“I’m also really looking forward to our GCSE and A Level students having the opportunity to experience Loughborough’s world class facilities and working with some of the country’s best practitioners, to aid their academic development.”

Loughborough University will be working to support the Laurus Trust’s ELITE Pathway, which will focus on providing the selected students with the invaluable experience of living, training and learning like a professional athlete, balancing the demands of their sporting dreams with academic success.

Dr Ash Casey of Loughborough University said: “This partnership presents a fantastic opportunity to work with young people, their teachers and their schools to enhance what is happening across their education.

“When the Laurus Trust first approached us about a partnership, it was obvious that they placed learning, personal development and support of their students at the heart of what they were doing.

“This mirrors the university’s ethos, and this long-term partnership allows us to take what we do best - ie, sport - and use it to enable Laurus individuals to excel.”

To be considered for the ELITE Pathway, potential students need to meet stringent criteria.

They must be playing at a regional or national level, dedicating a significant number of hours per week to their training and have an ambition to play at a professional level with the potential to be accepted onto an international or Olympic pathway.

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