Loughborough to host landmark showcase for international student athletes

The event will give athletes the chance to train, compete, and interact directly with university coaches in a bid to win scholarships and university offers.

Student athletes from across the world are being invited to take part in trials in cricket, football, tennis and rugby as part of a new recruitment initiative to attract sporting talent to the UK.

Building on similar models in the US, The Student Sport Company has managed international sport recruitment to UK universities for many years, assisting students from more than 60 countries to successfully combine their studies with performance sport.

The targeted event will place on Saturday July 5 2026 at Loughborough University, aiming to help more athletes connect with coaches, secure scholarships, complete applications, and begin their sporting careers in the UK.

Loughborough University has been selected as the host venue due to its long-standing reputation as the UK’s leading sporting institution. With world-class facilities and high-performance training environments, it offers the ideal setting for an authentic introduction to UK university sport.

“In the US, showcase style camps are widely used part of the university recruitment process,” said Harry Newton, Director of The Student Sport Company. “Families value the chance to experience the environment first-hand rather than making decisions through online research alone. We are excited to bring this proven and successful format to the UK for the first time.”

The showcase is not limited to Loughborough staff, with coaches from across a wide range of UK universities will be participating.

Families value the chance to experience the environment first-hand rather than making decisions through online research alone
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Prospective student athletes targeting 2026, 2027, or 2028 university entry are all eligible to register their interest and can stay at the Elite Athlete Centre and hotel on campus, if successful in entering.

Showcase-style recruitment events are a well-established part of US college sport, giving domestic and international athletes the chance to train, compete, and interact directly with university coaches. This format has become one of the most effective ways for students to explore their options and make informed decisions.

By introducing this model to the UK for the first time, the event aims to offer international athletes the same level of access, clarity, and first-hand experience that has long benefited students in the US.

“This showcase brings a new and much needed opportunity to the UK,” said Newton. “It allows athletes to perform in front of coaches, understand the academic pathways available, and experience the lifestyle that sets UK university sport apart.”

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