Coach & Volunteer Academy Impact Report 2025/26
Developing the people who will shape the future of sport
In 2025-26, the CVA continued to unlock student potential through meaningful volunteering, coaching and workforce development opportunities, helping students develop the skills, experience and confidence to shape the future of sport.
Introduction
Throughout 2025-26, the CVA continued to support the development of students through volunteering, workforce development and experiential learning opportunities. By connecting students with meaningful roles across coaching, officiating, performance support, events, communications and sport leadership, the CVA helped develop the next generation of coaches, practitioners, officials and leaders.
This report reflects on the impact of those opportunities, recognising the contribution of our volunteers and placement students while celebrating their achievements and progression throughout the year.
A year in review
- 104,375 volunteering hours logged
- 845 active volunteers
- 996 volunteering milestones achieved
- 200+ courses, workshops and masterclasses delivered
- 51% of CVA alumni working in sport-related roles
- Student-led events including EmpowerHer, Para Sport Takeover and the Student Officiating Conference
Coaching
In 2025-26, the CVA continued to build a coaching development pathway that supported students from gaining their first qualification through to developing their practice, gaining real-world experience and taking on leadership roles within the coaching workforce.
Courses and qualifications
More than 190 students gained coaching qualifications through on-campus courses and the CVA Bursary scheme. A further 78 completed safeguarding training and 106 gained First Aid qualifications, helping students coach safely and effectively.
Coach Progression Programme
The Coach Progression Programme (CPP) launched in October as the CVA's flagship coach development programme. 58 students engaged in 10 CPD and networking sessions, developing their knowledge of coaching practice, leadership, resilience and reflective learning. By connecting coaches from community to elite sport, the programme helped students build the skills, confidence and mindset needed to thrive in coaching environments.
Step To Coaching
Delivered in partnership with Coaches Club CIC, Step To Coaching provided a practical route into coaching for 36 students, who gained Multi-Sport Coaching qualifications alongside essential First Aid, Safeguarding and Inclusion training. Through Loughborough University Sport MAD (Making A Difference) placements, students applied their learning in community settings, developing the confidence and skills needed for future coaching roles.
Coaching Leadership
The Coach Coordinator Programme supported seven new coordinators, helping to strengthen coaching leadership across AU clubs. Through workforce development initiatives, mentoring and coach education opportunities, coordinators developed their own leadership skills while supporting others to access coaching roles and development opportunities.
The Female Coaches Leadership Programme (FCLP) provided high-potential female coaches with opportunities to develop as leaders and practitioners. Through mentoring, workshops and observations with Loughborough Lightning teams and the England Roses, participants gained exposure to high-performance coaching environments and broadened their understanding of effective coaching and leadership.
Together, these programmes helped students progress from learner to leader, combining qualifications, practical experience and professional development to prepare them to contribute to the future coaching workforce.
Highlights
- Over 30 masterclasses & workshops on a variety of coaching environments
- 18 Coaching Qualification Courses Delivered
- Continued Growth of the Coach Coordinator Programme
- 24 successful bursary applications related to coach development
Coaching Success Stories
Officiating
The Officiating strand continued to support both new and experienced officials through training, mentoring, deployment opportunities and student-led development programmes. Officiating Hub Managers remained central to creating clear progression pathways across multiple sports.
The Loughborough Student Officiating Conference returned for its second year, attracting more than 50 attendees from universities, NGBs and the wider sporting community. The event brought together officials from hockey, netball, rugby, cricket and football to share insights on confidence, decision-making, employability and progression within officiating. Delivery was once again supported by staff and alumni, highlighting the strength of the officiating network at Loughborough.
Football continued to strengthen its refereeing pathway, with 14 students completing the Level 7 course and several referees progressing from Level 6 through to Level 3. In partnership with Leicestershire & Rutland County FA, on-campus CPD events provided opportunities for student referees to learn from and connect with county officials.
Hockey supported 60 students to gain their Level 1 qualification, with 12 progressing to assessment. Student officials gained experience across university, school and national competitions, while several umpires progressed to officiate at international level, demonstrating the strength of the pathway. Partnerships with England Hockey, Midlands Hockey and the NPUA continued to create valuable development opportunities.
Rugby and Basketball continued to develop their officiating programmes, supporting new and emerging officials through deployment opportunities, mentoring and qualifications. Several student officials progressed to officiate within BUCS and national league competitions.
Across all sports, the focus remained on building connected officiating communities, creating opportunities for officials to share experiences, develop their practice and support one another. Through Hub Manager meetings, CPD opportunities and the Loughborough Student Officiating Conference, students were able to develop both their technical skills and sense of belonging within the officiating workforce.
Looking ahead, newly secured BUCS funding will support women and other underrepresented groups to enter the football refereeing pathway, helping to broaden participation and create a more diverse and sustainable officiating community at Loughborough.
Performance Support
The Performance Support strand provided valuable learning opportunities for both student volunteers and placement students across Performance Analysis, Nutrition, Physiology and Strength & Conditioning. Through placements, mentoring and hands-on delivery opportunities, students developed the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to operate within high-performance sport environments.
The Performance Practitioner Programme supported more than 40 students through workshops, networking opportunities and engagement with Loughborough Sport practitioners, helping them build technical expertise, industry knowledge and professional networks.
By working alongside experienced practitioners and sports programmes, volunteers and placement students gained valuable applied experience, strengthening their employability and readiness for future careers in performance sport
Impact of the Programme
"My biggest gain from this programme was the emphasis on soft skills in the world of performance practitioners. Participating gave the necessary insight into everyday workings of being a practitioner."
"Hearing from a wide range of disciplines so I could hear about a wide range of disciplines, I also liked the networking dinner at the end especially when we were asking questions to the discipline leads "
Performance Support Highlights
- 10 Performance Practitioner Sessions throughout 25/26
- 15 CPD Sessions for Performance Support Placements and Volunteers
- Over 13,000 Hours Logged in Performance Support
- 31 Students in Performance Support Placement Roles
Success Stories
Media, Marketing and Communications
The Media, Marketing and Communications strand enabled students to develop industry-relevant skills while enhancing the visibility of sport across the university. Through content creation, storytelling and social media, volunteers supported teams, programmes and events, gaining hands-on experience in producing content for real audiences.
Workshops, networking opportunities and peer learning provided valuable insight into the industry, helping students build professional skills, confidence and creative expertise for future careers in media and communications.
- 13 CPD Sessions
- 51 MMC Volunteers
- Over 6000 Voluntary Hours Logged in MMC
35% Increase
Featured Workshops & Masterclasses
-
Social Media Strategy & Scheduling
Abbie Ryan & Amy Williams
Oct 2025 -
Videography
Dane Vincent, Ben Collison, Jemima Bioden Bello
Nov 2025 -
ConnectSport Briefing
Simon Lansley
Nov 2025 - LinkedIn
Dawn Spendlove
Feb 2026
Success Stories
Event Management
The Event Management pathway provided students with hands-on experience across a diverse programme of sporting events, supporting the planning and delivery of high-profile fixtures and competitions throughout the year. From community sport through to international events, students developed practical event management skills while contributing to the successful delivery of the Loughborough Sport calendar.
Key opportunities included:
- 100+ event volunteers supporting BUCS Big Wednesday 2026
- England Futsal International Week
- Matchday operations at BUCS Super Rugby and National League 2 fixtures
- Loughborough International Athletics (LIA)
- Loughborough Lightning fixtures across multiple sports
- Supporting the kitting-out process for Team England ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games
- Assisting with kit distribution for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, providing a unique behind-the-scenes experience of a major international sporting event
- Over 70 applications to Loughborough Sport Event Programme
- Over 7500 voluntary hours logged
- Students working within elite sport environments, including Olympic and Commonwealth preparation programmes
It has been amazing. I have gained so many skills and insights into coaching and event management.
Event Management Success Stories
Volunteer Zambia
Volunteer Zambia is a partnership between seven UK universities, the Volunteer Zambia Foundation and Sport in Action, using sport as a tool for community development and to create opportunities for women and girls in sport.
In summer 2026, two Loughborough students spent eight weeks in Zambia working alongside Sport in Action to support community sport programmes across Lusaka. Two staff members also travelled to Zambia, supporting more than 20 students representing the seven partner universities.
Working primarily within netball and women's football, students collaborated with local volunteers to support development in coaching, officiating, leadership and volunteer management, helping to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Community Sport Hubs.
2026 marked the 21st and final year of Loughborough's involvement in Volunteer Zambia. Over two decades, generations of students and staff have contributed to the programme's impact. To celebrate this legacy, the CVA will publish a Volunteer Zambia Legacy Report reflecting on the project's achievements and the contributions of students, staff and partners over the past 21 years.
Success Stories
CVA Alumni
The CVA Alumni Network helps us understand the long-term impact of volunteering and workforce development opportunities. The achievements of our graduates demonstrate how CVA experiences help students build successful careers, contribute to the sport sector and continue shaping the future of sport long after they leave Loughborough.
- 97%
- said volunteering with the CVA enhanced their university experience
- 95%
- are currently in employment or further education
- 51%
- of those in full-time employment are working in sport-related roles
- 88%
- said volunteering developed relevant experience for their CV and strengthened problem-solving skills
- 93%
- said volunteering improved their communication and interpersonal skills
Supported Programmes
Alongside our core pathways, the CVA supports a range of Loughborough Sport programmes through the recruitment, training and development of student leaders. During the year, 63 committee members and student leaders received support across the Athletic Union, Intra-mural Sport, Social Leagues, Para & Disability Sport and Recreational Sport programmes.
We also supported the annual Athletic Union Committee Handover Training, preparing incoming student leaders to deliver a successful experience for their clubs and members.
9/10
How engaging were the deliveries on this programme?
Comments about deliveries
"I enjoyed hearing from a wide range of speakers who sounded passionate and enthusiastic about their work."
Success Stories
Recognition
Recognising and celebrating volunteer contributions remains a core part of the CVA. Throughout the year, volunteers were recognised through Success Stories, appreciation events and the CVA Awards, including a special 1,000-hour dinner held at Burleigh Court.
More than 150 volunteers reached the 50-hour milestone, while 81 surpassed 250 hours, resulting in over 650 milestone rewards being distributed. These achievements reflect the commitment, impact and sense of belonging created by volunteers across the Loughborough Sport community.
Follow us
The impact highlighted throughout this report is made possible by the dedication of our students, partners and volunteers. As we begin another academic year, we look forward to continuing to create opportunities that develop skills, build experience and support the next generation of leaders within sport and physical activity.
Follow our journey and keep up to date with the latest opportunities and success stories:
Contact us
If you are interested in working with the CVA or getting involved, please contact us at cva@lboro.ac.uk. For more information on the CVA, please head over to our website.
Get involved with the CVA