British Triathlon has confirmed the athletes selected for its restructured British Academy programme for the 2025–2026 season, signalling a more targeted approach to nurturing the nation’s next generation of Olympic Distance talent.
The newly formed Academy squad has been deliberately reduced in size, with just 10 home-based youth and junior athletes chosen. The aim is to deliver more intensive, individualised support as these athletes progress towards European and World Championship performance benchmarks.
Designed as a key step within British Triathlon’s Olympic Pathway, the Academy offers a flexible coaching model tailored to each athlete’s existing environment. Some athletes will be coached directly by the Academy, while others will continue working with their personal coaches, supported closely by a Regional Academy Lead. In every case, collaboration with the Olympic Junior/Youth National Coach remains central to the programme.
Throughout the year, athletes will take part in bespoke national training camps and targeted racing opportunities, exposing them to international standards and high-performance environments. They will also benefit from comprehensive sports science and sports medicine provision through the Talented Athlete Sponsorship Scheme (TASS), funded by Sport England.
Rick Velati, British Triathlon’s Olympic Junior/Youth National Coach, said the Academy plays a crucial role at an early but formative stage of an athlete’s career.
“The aim of the British Academy is to support athletes in the early stages of their career in the Olympic Pathway,” Velati explained. “Across a series of camps, athletes will build an understanding of global performance demands while developing their physiological and technical strengths. Just as importantly, we want to nurture a genuine love of training and racing, while giving them regular exposure to our Olympic and Pathway Performance Centres.”
Performance Director Mike Cavendish echoed that sentiment, highlighting the long-term vision behind the revised structure.
“We’re really pleased to welcome these athletes into the newly formed British Academy,” he said. “I’m excited to watch their development over the coming years, with the hope that many will progress through the Olympic Pathway and ultimately represent Great Britain at World Championships and Olympic Games.”
British Academy athletes selected for 2025–2026
Midlands
- Darcy Gladwell (coach: George Blackwell)
- Emma Graham-Brown (coach: Dean Hughes)
South East
- Lucas Gorrill (coach: Glenn Cook)
- Finlay Goodman (coach: Sarah Coope)
- Tom Mythen (coach: James Beckinsale)
- Kitty Scott (coach: Sarah Coope)
- Sophie Richmond (coach: Sarah Coope)
South West
- Reuben Wadey (coach: Jodie Swallow)
- Betsy North (coach: Jodie Swallow)
- Ellie Birchall (coach: Jodie Swallow)