Blues Performance Scheme
Providing support to high performing teams and athletes studying at Oxford

The Blues Performance Scheme supports high performance teams and individual athletes at Oxford University to improve their long term performance in sport whilst balancing their academic commitments. To find out more about the specific support for teams and individuals please use the tabs below.
Selected Athletes 2024/25
The following individuals were selected as part of the performance programme. Click on their name to visit their athlete profile: –
Name | College | Sport |
---|---|---|
Alex Gruen | Keble College | Athletics |
Amelia Henley | Somerville College | Squash |
Amogh Karpe | Corpus Christi College | Cricket |
Ben Futcher |
Keble College | TaeKwon-Do |
Caspar Beyer | Oriel College | Hockey |
Cerys Lee | St Anne's College | Athletics |
Charlotte Buckley | Oriel College | Athletics |
Efe Shimwell | St Peter's College | Blind Football |
Eleanor Warrington | Keble College | TaeKwon-Do |
Ella Fryer | St Catherine's College | Athletics |
Ella Robinson | Keble College | Hockey |
Emma Godden | St Cross College | Modern Pentathlon |
Gabriella Berkeley-Agyepong | St Anne's College | Athletics & Cross Country |
Gwen Marsden | St Anne's College | Powerlifting |
Hannah Davis | St John's College | Cricket |
Ioan Cressey-Rodgers | St Peter's College | Swimming |
James Pearson | Keble College | TaeKwon-Do |
Marange Mokaya | Keble College | Athletics |
Matt Dean | St Anne's College | Amputee Football |
Michael Allison | St Anne's College | Athletics |
Naomi Young | Oriel College | Equestrian |
Patrick Foley | Somerville | Tennis |
Rebecca Flaherty | St Catherine's College | Cross Country |
Sophie Boehler | St Hugh's College | Triathlon |
Tarka Abraham | Somerville College | Equestrian |
Zoe Faure Beaulieu | St Catherine's College | Triathlon |
Support Offered
All selected performance athletes will receive the following support: -
- Weekly strength and conditioning training (small groups or 1-to-1)
- 1-to-1 sports nutrition sessions
- 1-to-1 sports psychology sessions
- Recognition as a performance athlete and promotion of success
- Access to fundamental support
The following sport scholarships and funding are also available to a limited amount of successful applicants:
- Richard and Eliza Blackwell Scholarships - £500
Application Process
The application window opens around early July each year and closes at the start of September (Specific Date Below). All applications should be made online and once performance athletes have been selected there will be no further places available for the academic year. All applicants must meet the following requirement to be considerer for support: -
Athlete Requirements
- Applicants must be a current University of Oxford offer holder or undergraduate or postgraduate student, undergoing full-time or part-time study
- Applicants must be able to show evidence of outstanding ability within their chosen sport
- Applicants must provide a supporting statement from their coach or National Governing Body to confirm the details of their application
- Applicants must contribute to the success of Oxford University in both BUCS and Varsity competitions. This can be achieved either through competing or adding value to your specific sports program
- Selected athletes must represent Oxford University Sport and the performance scheme to the highest standard at local, national or international competitions
- Selected athletes must keep communications with coaching and other support staff open and inform staff if they are unable to attend allocated sessions
- Selected athletes must provide regular updates on results from competitions or sport specific selections
How to Apply
Applications for the 2025/26 season open on the 23rd May, 2025 and close at 23:59 on the 31st August, 2025. Applications can be made via the online form. Application forms in an Accessible Word Document format are available on request (email performance@sport.ox.ac.uk).
Selected Teams 2024/25
The following teams were selected as part of the performance teams programme: –
Tier 1
Athletics (Mixed) |
Lacrosse (Women's) |
Cross Country (Mixed) |
Rowing (Men's) |
Fencing (Mixed) |
Rowing (Women's) |
Hockey (Men's) | Rugby Union (Men's) |
Hockey (Women's) | Rugby Union (Women's) |
Tier 2
Badminton (Mixed) | Netball (Women's) |
Cricket (Men's) | Orienteering (Mixed) |
Cycling (Mixed) | Rugby League (Men's) |
Lacrosse (Men's) |
Swimming (Mixed) |
Lawn Tennis (Mixed) |
Triathlon (Mixed |
Modern Pentathlon (Mixed) |
Water Polo (Mixed) |
Tier 3
American Football (Mixed) | Polo (Mixed) |
Dance Sport (Mixed) |
Rifle (Mixed) |
Equestrian (Mixed) | Ski and Snowboard (Mixed) |
Football (Women's) | Squash (Mixed) |
Gymnastics (Mixed) | TaeKwon-Do (Mixed) |
Ice Hockey (Men's) | Volleyball (Mixed) |
Judo (Mixed) | Yachting (Mixed) |
Support Offered
Performance teams, once selected, will be contacted via team captains to arrange the following support: –
- Weekly strength and conditioning sessions
- Team nutrition session(s)
- Team sports psychology session(s)
- Recognition as a performance team and promotion of success
- Access to fundamental support
Application Process
To find out about the application process to become a performance team, visit our club support pages using the link below. Please note to access our club support resources you must have a single sign on username and password from the University of Oxford.
Our Support Staff
The Blues Performance Scheme is delivered by a team of Oxford University Sport staff, consultant coaches and consultant specialists. Find out more about the team below: –
Name | Job / Role | |
---|---|---|
Andy Taylor | Head of Sport & Physical Activity | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
Richard Harding | Sports Coordinator - Competitions | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
Tiahan Eeles | Head Strength and Conditioning Coach | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
James Wappett | Strength and Conditioning Coach | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
Joanna Train | Sports Psychologist | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
Stefano Montanari | Sports Nutritionist | performance@sport.ox.ac.uk |
Contact Us
01865 611490