Celebrating a Ten-Year Partnership with Leeds Beckett University
For the past decade, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate (QE) has proudly partnered with Leeds Beckett University to improve the Performance Sport Programme.
This collaboration with the Carnegie School of Sport (CSS) has enhanced QE's status as an elite sport school in Leeds, providing student-athletes with professional coaching and cutting-edge sports science support beyond recreational sports.
An Elite Performance Sport Programme
QE's Performance Sports Programme is designed for students in Years 7-13 (ages 12-18), offering expert training in five sports: basketball, cricket, football, netball and rugby. Through this programme, students benefit from high-performance coaching and sport science services delivered by CSS professionals, including qualified coaches, PhD researchers, and Masters students from Leeds Beckett University.
Leadership and Research-Driven Development
This long-standing partnership is spearheaded by Prof. Kevin Till (CSS) and Rob Rawlinson, Head of Sport at QE. Their joint efforts have resulted in extensive research, knowledge exchange, and hands-on experience for both QE students and Leeds Beckett researchers.
“Our longstanding partnership with Leeds Beckett University continues to be hugely beneficial to both parties. Over the 10-year period we have worked together, students from Queen Ethelburga's have had expert strength and conditioning coaching and learnt all about the benefits of long-term athletic development by following periodised individual programmes to maximise their athletic potential. They have also been part of research studies that have given them greater insights into wellness, recovery, athletic development, holistic approaches to training and so much more.”
Rob Rawlinson, Head of Sport
Dr. Ffion Thompson, a postdoctoral research fellow at CSS, now leads the programme alongside MSc and MRes students. These professionals utilise advanced force plate technology to monitor student-athletes' fitness and fatigue levels, demonstrating the benefits of technology in enhancing athletic performance.
Pathways to Sporting Excellence
Through research-led training and support, QE's student-athletes have successfully progressed to professional contracts, UK and US university scholarships, and elite pathways in organisations such as:
- Leeds Rhinos Superleague Netball
- Yorkshire Cricket
- Leeds United Football Academy
- Castleford Tigers Rugby League
Additionally, QE has implemented a transition support programme to prepare student-athletes for the demands of higher education and professional sports, ensuring a holistic development approach.
Developing Future Leaders in Sports Science
This partnership has not only benefited QE students but has also contributed to the career progression of numerous Leeds Beckett alumni, who now hold prestigious positions in sports science and athletic development. Notable graduates include:
- Dr. Josh Darrall-Jones (Senior Lecturer, Leeds Beckett University)
- Dr. Jonathon Weakley (Associate Professor, Australian Catholic University)
- Dr. Dale Read (Senior Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University)
- Dr. Sean Scantlebury (Head of Performance, England Women’s Rugby League)
- Dr. Ffion Thompson (Head of Athletic Development, QE)
- Katherine Cuthbert (Athletic Development Coach, Grammar School at Leeds)
A Commitment to Excellence in Sport
This collaboration exemplifies how Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate continues to be a leading sports school near Leeds, fostering student-athlete success through evidence-based training and academic research. As QE and Leeds Beckett University move forward, they remain committed to providing unparalleled opportunities for both current and future athletes.
Discover more about Queen Ethelburga's and how our Performance Sports Programme can support your child's athletic journey. Join us on an Open Day to see the brand-new gym and meet the team.
