Students taking part will be invited to Leeds Knights training sessions to observe a live high performance training environment on the ice, which will be of particular interest to our Sport Science, and Coaching students. Participants will also gain hands on experience as they apply their theoretical knowledge from their studies in a practical setting. Portable Sport Science kit, such as the NordBord (used for hamstring strength assessments), speed gates, and GPS kit will be taken to the rink, with students carrying out performance testing on the squad within a training setting. This will allow students to gain real world experience in testing of athletes and data analysis in a sport which trains and plays in a unique environment. 

The results and data will be used to help the Knights identify areas for improvement and create both team and individualised training programmes as they look to continue their rapid rise with the help of sports science. Founded as Leeds Chiefs in 2019 before rebranding to Leeds Knights in 2021, the club have already won two regular season titles in the National Ice Hockey League’s National Division, as well as a play-off championship. In the ongoing 2024/25 season, the Knights are hoping to win a third National Division title in a row. 

Collaborative work between Leeds Trinity and the Knights will help University students prepare for their future careers by developing an understanding of the inner workings of a professional sports team, supporting the needs of athletes and coaching teams, and broadening their knowledge outside of traditional mainstream sports. 

Sarah Todd, Sports Development and Performance Manager said: “We’re delighted to have formalised a partnership between Leeds Trinity’s School of Sport and Wellbeing and Leeds Knights, which will also see the University sponsor Leeds Knights Head Coach Ryan Aldridge until at least the end of the 2025/26 season. Partnerships like these allows our students to gain practical experience within both community and high-performance settings, gain hands on experience within a unique sport, and bridge the gap between academia, industry, and the wider community. Such meaningful partnerships are vital to our vision of being a leading career-led and applied university. We’re excited to work with such a community focussed, inclusive, and welcoming professional club.” 

Dr Chris Sellars, Head of School of Sport and Wellbeing at Leeds Trinity University, said: “Through our range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the School of Sport and Wellbeing at Leeds Trinity University aims to promote lifelong physical activity and people's indulgence of their passion for sport and wellbeing – ideals Leeds Knights also support. I'm looking forward to growing a mutually beneficial relationship with the Knights which sees both parties grow their local, regional and national presence, whilst providing support for the Club and our own students and colleagues.”  

Verity Thomas, Partnership Manager at Leeds Knights, said: “We are really excited about the partnership that has been agreed with Leeds Trinity University. Both Ryan Aldridge and I had a tour of the amazing facilities in the University’s School of Sport and Wellbeing, and we were very impressed. We are looking forward to working on a number of projects involving our first team players and the Leeds Trinity students and staff. We can’t wait to see what the future holds with this great partnership.” 

For more information on courses in the School of Sport and Wellbeing at Leeds Trinity, visit the University website.