Sheffield Swimming Performance Centre

Find out about swimming at the Swim England Performance Centre in Sheffield, based at the University of Sheffield, Hallam University, and City of Sheffield Swimming Squad.

Swimming at the University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is a world top 100 University, outstanding teaching and an exceptional student experience.

Why the University of Sheffield?

Sheffield is a leading research university with a global reputation for excellence. We’re part of the prestigious Russell Group and are ranked within the world top 100 leading universities. There are over 30,000 students here including more than 8,000 international students from over 100 countries.

Many of our teachers are world leading experts in their field whose research improves healthcare, energises industry and advances our understanding of the universe. We’re dedicated to making the world a better place.

Student Life

We’re renowned for our excellent student experience. One reason for this is our Students’ Union, which has been voted number one in the UK for the last three years. Our SU supports you with practical help and advice on every aspect of student life. With over 350 societies and sports clubs, and one of the biggest volunteering programmes in the UK, our union also gives you plenty of chance to try out new and exciting opportunities.

Our city

Sheffield has everything you’d expect to find in a major city. There’s a vibrant culture of cafes, clubs, museums, live music, art, sport and leisure. It’s also a city of fascinating contradictions: fast moving and laid back, an urban playground on the edge of a national park, a beacon of high art and pop culture, a big place where everybody seems to know each other. We’re also among the UK’s top ten most affordable student cities.

Careers

Sheffield is top in the north for graduate prospects and 96% of our students are in work or further study six months after graduating. Our aim is for every single one of our students to reach their full potential, whatever their background or circumstances. We’ll support you with work placements and volunteering, training and support, and opportunities to network with employers.

Sports Scholarships

The University of Sheffield is committed to supporting its students to achieve excellence both academically and through their chosen sport.

Our Elite Sports Performance Scheme provides a range of support, which can include a financial bursary, free accommodation packages, strength and conditioning, free access to the university fitness facilities, physiotherapy support, lifestyle mentoring and academic flexibility.

Swimming at Sheffield Hallam University

Fulfil your dual career with Sheffield Hallam University.

Why Sheffield Hallam University?

We’ll get you work ready – 94% of our students are in work or further study six months after graduating. We believe in combining learning with doing, and you’ll experience that from the moment you join us.

All our courses have work experience opportunities embedded in each year of study. We work with over 1,000 organisations to deliver 24,000 placements and real-world projects every year, from the BBC, Sony, Adidas and Disney to the NHS, Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Sheffield United FC.

Student Satisfaction

This year we achieved 86% overall student satisfaction. This is our highest ever student satisfaction score and places us 28th out of 127 universities in England. We’re also ranked fourth in the country for satisfaction with opportunities to apply your learning.

We’ve been awarded a silver rating for our teaching excellence and our lecturers are experts in their field, so you’ll always have the latest knowledge.

An amazing student and sporting city

Sheffield is the fifth biggest city in the UK and Sheffield Hallam sits right at the heart of the city centre.
Sheffield was Britain’s first national City of Sport and boasts some of the best international sports venues in the country. Ponds Forge International Sports Centre houses Olympic standard competition and diving pools and is host to several national swimming competitions.

Performance Athlete Scholarships

The Performance Athlete Support Programme gives you the flexibility to balance the requirements of a degree with achieving your sporting potential. Scholarships of up to £3,000 are available, which include:

• Team Hallam Ultimate membership
• access to high-quality facilities
• financial assistance towards club fees and competition costs
• strength and conditioning programming
• physiotherapy screening, massage, prehab and reactive
• sports psychology, nutrition and lifestyle
• academic flexibility
• performance kit.

Alumni Swimmers

Max Litchfield – BSc Sport and Exercise Science student, fourth place at Rio 2016 Olympics and 2018 European silver medallist.
Rebecca Turner – BSc Sport and Exercise Science graduate, 2012 Olympian and two-time relay medallist at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

City of Sheffield Performance Programme

City of Sheffield Swim Squad deliver one of the leading swimming performance programmes in the country. Working
closely with both Sheffield universities, our programme consistently produces Olympians and senior and junior internationals.

The City of Sheffield performance squad train at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, where we provide long and short course training. We accommodate both sprint and distance based athletes. Support systems are provided in conjunction with Sheffield Hallam University and University of Sheffield to maximise the efficiency of all partners.
All campuses are located close to Ponds Forge and within walking distance [around 15 minutes].

Sports Scholarship

We are proud to be able to provide a high- performance environment for athletes to pursue a dual career in performance swimming and academic studies. Swimming scholarships are available from both Sheffield Hallam University and University of Sheffield. All parties are committed to enhancing the experience of the student-athlete.

Our Performance Centre offers:

• world class facilities
• up to 26 hours of training a week, with over 50% long course
• bespoke S&C programmes
• access to the nutrition, sports analysis and psychologists
• physiotherapy support
• international coaching
• great connections around the world, for leading ideas.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach Russ Barber (distance coach) and Performance Coach Mike Taylor (sprint coach), lead the performance training programme. Both coaches have had international selections and have been part of British Swimming and Swim England teams at senior and junior level.