Loughborough College Sport Academies Set for AoC National Championships

Loughborough College Sport Academies are preparing for a standout weekend as they head to the 46th annual AoC Sport National Championships with the biggest cohort of any college in attendance.

A total of 91 student-athletes will represent the College across 12 events and nine different sports, underlining the strength and depth of the academies programme on the national stage.

The AoC Sport National Championships remain the largest annual further education student sporting event in Europe. In 2025 alone, more than 1,300 college students took part, with the event continuing to provide a unique platform for competition, recognition and celebration of student sport.

Students earn their place at the Championships by progressing through a series of regional qualification tournaments throughout the academic year. Representing the East Midlands region, Loughborough College’s teams and individuals have consistently delivered high-level performances to secure their spots.

This year, the College will compete in events including men’s and women’s rugby, men’s football, mixed hockey and badminton, cricket, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, and endurance running.

Dan Jackson, Loughborough College Sport Academies Manager, highlighted the significance of this year’s achievement: “We’re incredibly proud to be taking 91 student-athletes to the AoC National Championships. Having such strong representation across a wide range of sports is a testament to the strength and depth of our academies programme.

“These events are about more than just competition. They give our students the chance to represent their region, test themselves against the best in the country, and create experiences they’ll remember for life.”

Danny Lee, Curriculum Head for Sport, echoed the sentiment and emphasised the broader impact on students: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase not only their sporting ability, but also their commitment, resilience, and teamwork. Competing at a national level is a huge achievement, and we’re proud of every student who has earnt the right to be there. 

“The AoC Championships embody everything we value within our sport curriculum - development, excellence and opportunity - and we’re excited to see our students perform on such a big stage.”