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NU Futures

Providing a pathway to educational and sporting excellence

Launching in April 2026, NU Future provides students in years 11-13 the opportunity to join a performance sport and educational pathway. What sets us part from others is that our sole focus is not on driving improving in the participant's chosen sport. Whilst that is one importance element of what we aim to achieve, we also wish to focus on providing a supportive pathway to university life where participants are enriched with information and for them to experience what it's like being a student athlete at Newcastle University. Launching initially with basketball, the first delivery will begin in April 2026. We will later add our other performance sports; volleyball, football, rugby, and hockey with this expected from October 2026.

Our Programme

There will be 4 in person days across the year (February, April, Summer, October), these will be delivered as 1 day events in the school holidays and compromise of opportunity to play their sport, in addition to receiving 2 additional sessions. These additional sessions will be made up from the following areas: strength and conditioning, workshops in sport psychology and nutrition, an introduction to what it's like to be a dual career athlete at university, and how we will support you with athlete services. There will be opportunity for participants to be connected with degree programmes they may be interested in, visit those university facilities and hear from students currently doing those degrees. In addition to these in person days there will also be additional voluntary (but encouraged) touch points throughout the year, this will include online workshops, quarterly newsletters, check ins with schools, invite to university events, and free tickets for Newcastle University and our professional team partners fixtures.

For our upcoming Basketball camps, upcoming delivery will be as follows: 

  • Easter camp 2026 (court + university life/intro + facility tours)
  • Summer camp 2026 (court + S&C & dual career/athlete services & support)
  • October 2026 (court + Knights BCB game + recruitment + video analysis)
  • February 2027 (court + nutrition + psychology)
Eligibility
To be eligible for the programme you must meet the following criteria.
  • on target to achieve BBB or equivalent*
  • be in year 11 - 13
  • be able to attend all in person delivery (4 days across the year)
*Those students eligible for the University Partners scheme or who are recognised on our High Performing Athlete scheme would be eligible to attend on predicted grades up to 2 lower.

Cost

Participants will receive a Castore NU Futures tracksuit, and this is the only cost to participate. Those students eligible for our Partners scheme or where your school identifies any financial hardship will receive a discounted kit offer.

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