Performance Badminton

The Loughborough Badminton Performance programme is at the core of our elite sporting provision, offering comprehensive support and flexible training to help athletes excel both on the court and academically.

The programme is designed to nurture those with the ambition and talent to compete at the highest national and international standards. There are tiers within the performance programme which dictate the level of support athletes receive.

The performance programme provides an individualised training plan, combined with integrated support services, including physiotherapy, strength & conditioning, nutrition, psychology, performance lifestyle, and performance analysis.

Whether you’re targeting international titles, domestic titles or developing your potential, the Loughborough Badminton Performance programme is built to challenge, support, and accelerate your journey.

A badminton player on the court holding their racket in the air and about to return the shuttlecock

Para Badminton

Para badminton players are fully integrated into our performance badminton programme. Players at the appropriate level are supported in pursuing their ambitions within our performance pathway and receive guidance from our coaching and wider interdisciplinary team.

Elite programme benefits

Up to 18 hours of on-court training per week, including 11 weekly sessions featuring individual development plans (IDP), multi-skill sessions, shadow training, and competitive match play
Regular competitive opportunities with BUCS league matches and knockout cup matches per season
2x strength and conditioning sessions per week to build athletic performance and resilience
Individualised annual planning, goal setting, and performance reviews
Video and performance analysis to refine skills and tactics
Comprehensive Performance Support, including access to physiotherapy, nutrition, psychology, physiology, and more
Performance lifestyle support to help you balance elite sport with academic success
Scholarship opportunities for athletes who demonstrate exceptional talent and commitment

Junior academy

Through our close link with Loughborough College, we can offer junior players the chance to train as part of our performance programme while completing their A-levels or BTEC qualifications.

The academy programme can provide athletes with up to 16 hours per week on court, tailored around their academic studies, along with integrated support services in a wide range of disciplines.

We can only accept players at a level that allows them to integrate with the senior university programme players. As a guide, players need to be reaching semi-finals and finals of Junior gold circuit events to be considered.

There is an annual fee for access to training and support services, and on-site college accommodation for elite athletes is an additional cost.

For more information about courses available, please visit the Loughborough College website.

Our star alumni

A photograph of Loughborough badminton player Nathan Moore

Nathan Moore

BSc Natural Science student

Badminton

  • 2021 U19 National Men’s Doubles champion
  • 2021 Bulgarian Junior International Men’s Doubles champion
  • 2021 Spanish Junior International Men’s Doubles champion

Alex Green

BSc Business Analytics

Badminton

  • 2026 European Men’s Doubles Bronze medallist
  • 2025 Irish Open Men’s Doubles Champion
  • England Senior International Player
A photograph of Loughborough badminton player Lizzie Tolman

Lizzie Tolman

MSc Sport Analytics and Technologies student

Badminton

  • England Senior International Player
  • 2026 Polish Open Women’s Doubles Champion
  • 2024 Hungarian International Women’s Doubles Champio
A photograph of Loughborough badminton player Jenny Moore

Jenny Moore

BSc International Business, MSc Management and MSc Business Technologies graduate

Badminton

  • Highest world ranking of 28 in mixed doubles
  • Winner of multiple international titles
  • England representative and competed in the 2022 World Championships

Loughborough was one of the few places in the country where I could receive the level of coaching and sparring needed to compete on an international level, as well as the opportunity to pursue my academic goals. [It's] given me so many opportunities to develop as not just a badminton player but as a person. It sounds cliché but Loughborough really does feel like a big family, and I feel a great sense of pride to be a Loughborough student.

Lizzie Tolman
MSc Sport Analytics and Technologies

Coaching staff

Dave Lindley

Head Coach

Leading the delivery of coaching for our performance squad. Dave is a former World top 10 player and England international player, boasting 10 years’ experience as a national senior and pathway coach.

Jonty Russ

Assistant Coach

Jonty is a former England Junior International player and has won many titles on the domestic and international circuits. He has experience coaching in Spain and England, including a successful spell as head coach at the University of Derby.

Alvaro Vazquez

Assistant Coach

Alvaro is a retired elite player having been Spain's number 3 men's singles for many years and a BUCS Nationals champion in men's singles. Alvaro assists with the performance squad following a successful period coaching the Athletic Union squads.

Matt Hanson

Programme Coordinator

Matt leads programme operations and development. Matt has over 20 years of experience working in badminton, including 6 years as a national junior coach. He is a multiple BUCS champion and represented Great Britain at the World Student Games.

Prospective students

If you currently have ambitions to train in our performance squad or for more information about our badminton programme, please contact us via email.