British Swimming ITC – Loughborough

British Swimming and Loughborough University have already forged a successful partnership over the past four years, with the University being a Centre of Excellence for the sport. The British Swimming ITC will operate in the same way as the other ITCs in our nationwide network. Loughborough University will continue to be a National Centre for British Swimming.

ITC Programme

Ben Titley is responsible for the British Swimming ITC programme in Loughborough.  Ben has worked at Loughborough for 12 years and has served British Swimming in the role of National Women’s Coach.  During his career to date, his athletes have earned 73 medals at the World, World University, European and Commonwealth Level.  Before taking on the ITC Head Coach post, Ben produced four swimmers for the Beijing Olympic team, including Liam Tancock, who has recently broken the world record for the 50m backstroke.

Kevin Renshaw takes on the role as Senior Coach alongside Ben Titley. Kevin is David Davies’ coach and was responsible for guiding him to medal success in Open Water at the Beijing Olympics.  Prior to joining British Swimming in 2004, Kevin has played a key role as coach on various National Teams including Head Coach to European Juniors in 2003 and Head Women's Coach for the Australian Tour in 2004. Since joining British Swimming in 2004, Kevin has been on the coaching staff for the World Short Course Championships and World Long Course Championships and the Beijing Olympics.

ITC Facilities

Loughborough University has an outstanding reputation for sport and is renowned for providing one of the best integrated sports performance environments in Europe.  The British Swimming ITC is based in the 50m pool centre, where a large proportion of pool time is committed exclusively to high performance training.  The centre includes a dedicated sports science area, a land conditioning room located off pool deck and a full range of pool deck training equipment.

ITC athletes have access to an impressive 1,000m2 Powerbase gymnasium, comprising a main weights area with 6 Olympic lifting platforms, throwing wall and throwing area, three separated training zones for aerobic and other strength training, a technique teaching area, sprint corridor and rehabilitation area with isokinetic dynamometers.

Loughborough’s main Sports Medicine clinic, applied physiology laboratory and video analysis suite are also available to the ITC programme. 

Performance Environment at Loughborough

The critical mass of coaches, athletes, support staff and researchers based at Loughborough has created a collective mind-set, focused on achieving excellence.  Loughborough University’s campus provides the opportunity for sporting cultures to learn from each other as athletes and coaches share ideas and practices.  The meeting of different sports makes a dynamic atmosphere where innovation and creativity are part of the sport development process. The swimmers based here are very much part of this dynamic culture.

Loughborough is also leading the way in cutting edge research.  The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences (SSES) engage with the IOC and other world leading bodies in developing a deeper understanding of sports performance. In addition the Sports Technology Institute is a leading partner for UK Sport in developing cutting edge technology to enhance performance.

Academic Opportunities

Loughborough has a proven track record in understanding the demands an athlete may face in balancing study and elite sport. The University has created a process of flexible study options that allow a student to vary their academic workload to fit with competition and training demands. Dedicated lifestyle support personnel work on campus to help swimmers make the transition in to student life. These staff co-ordinate and run comprehensive life-skills development programmes and there is also lifestyle mentoring available to all ITC swimmers.

The University also has a strong relationship with Loughborough College immediately across the road from the University. The College programmes are vocational in nature and many of our elite athletes, including swimmers, study at the College. The College students are very much a part of our elite student support programmes and, in partnership with the College, everyone gets the same lifestyle support.

Support for ITC Athlete Students

ITC athlete students can access the comprehensive scholarship scheme available to support our most talented performers. A range of scholarships can be applied for through the University swimming programme to provide help with tuition fees, accommodation and living expenses.

The University as a whole understands the needs of elite sports students and has effectively supported many elite swimmers to achieve world success in the pool and graduate with prestigious degrees.

Visit British Swimming ITC - Loughborough

If you would like to experience what the ITC Loughborough has to offer, contact Ben Titley on ben.titley@swimming.org to arrange a day visit or extended stay and an opportunity to discuss your training with the ITC Head Coach.