Performance Staff

Performance Manager

  • Matt Paine
    Matt delivers our programme of Performance which covers a remit of Scholar Athletes, Clubs, and leads our team of Coaches and MDT staff who support all of the programmes and delivery. Over the last 10 years Matt has led the University into the BUCS Top 10 in 8 consecutive seasons, and created an environment where true Dual Careers can take place. The University has had many Olympic, Commonwealth, Professional and International representation success stories in his time and Matt is very proud of the USP that supports both academic and sporting excellence. Matt has a degree in Sports Science and Business and a Masters in Leadership in Sport from Loughborough. Through his creativity and challenging processes he demands that Performance Sport at Bristol continues to evolve and progress.

Performance Pathway Manager

  • Will Ruscombe-King
    Will is responsible for identifying and recruiting high level athletes for the University's performance programme, and is committed to building an inspiring education and transformative student experience. Previously our full-time Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach, and having coached sports like football, field hockey and rugby since the age of 16, Will continues to help our performance clubs with S&C on a part-time basis, alongside his pathway management work. Will initially found his interest in S&C while studying his undergraduate degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Head Coaches

  • Ali Blackett, Tennis
    LTA Level 4 Senior Performance Coach, Ali brings a wealth of experience of working with young people to her role as Head coach of University of Bristol Tennis (UBTC). Ali's drive and passion is to make Tennis at the University one of the leading clubs offering Tennis to all levels from social tennis to BUCS competitive players of a very high standard (LTA ranking 7.2 or higher).
  • Chris White, Hockey
    Chris is our Head of Hockey here at Bristol. His role is to support and run the hockey programme for both men and ladies clubs. He comes from a great hockey background working at a lot of different schools around the UK but has also taken some time to coach hockey abroad in New Zealand, America, Holland. His passion for the game will continue the develop the hockey here at Bristol and keep them competing at the highest level. Chris is an ambitious coach and already enjoying his development at Bristol.
  • Edward Bloomfield, Rowing
    Ed joined the University of Bristol Boat Club (UBBC) in 2015 as our Development Coach and progressed quickly to Head Coach. Having started coaching at St Edwards School Oxford, he swiftly took up a project with the women's squad. His work has brought the standard of Bristol Women's Rowing up to a new height, culminating in a record 4th place in the Championship 8+ at BUCS Regatta 2018. Ed is well placed to continue developing our club programme, aiming to develop talented individuals from all squads into robust and successful athletes who can compete nationally and internationally.
  • Olly Slym, Rugby
    Level 3 RFU coach has been in the club for a number of years as the Club Manager before getting the role the 22/23 season. Olly played a good level as a youngster before leaving the sport following some serious injuries. Olly comes with a back ground in coaching, mentoring, business and fundraising which fit nicely into his role at University of Bristol. Ollys aim is to ensure UBRFC has the best student experience in the country whilst pushing the club to play in the highest league possible. When not at Coombe Dingle Olly can be found coaching local sides, academies and schools across the region.

Strength and Conditioning Coaches

  • Calum Conway, Lead S&C Coach
    Calum joined us at Bristol following his work with a number of different clubs and organisations, most recently with the Welsh Rugby Union. He graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University with a Master's degree in Strength and Conditioning, taking a particular interest in youth physical development. Creating environments that provide appropriate levels of both challenge and support are a feature of Calum’s work and something he will be looking to drive forward within the University.
  • Samara Nche
    Samara brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role having worked in the NCAA Division 1 Soccer, FA Women’s Premier League, as well as working as a UK Sport Talent ID Athlete for England Development Rugby 7s. With a MSc in Health, Exercise and Sport Science, Samara hopes to support all students with their athletic development and contribute to the growth and development of the Performance programme.

Performance Staff

  • Connor Grant, Sports Psychologist
    Connor is a BASES Supervised Sport Scientist (Psychology), Certified Mental Toughness Consultant and LTA Level 3 tennis coach. He has been fortunate to work with a wide range of sporting individuals and teams, from 'weekend warriors’ to Olympic gold medalists. His passion for both people and human performance has seen him ply his trade in Africa, Europe and Australasia. Now back in Bristol, he is adding value and insight to the University’s Performance Programme, Maroon scholars and BUCS Squads.
  • Henry Abrahams, Sports Physiotherapy
    Physiotherapist (MSc) and a Personal Trainer (National Academy of Sports Medicine) with a BSc in Sports Science. Henry is passionate about health and fitness and the physiological and psychological benefits of regular exercise, movement and nutrition. As part of his role at the Sports Medicine Clinic, Henry works closely with the University of Bristol Performance Squad athletes and the Strength and Conditioning team.
  • Milly Boorman, Sports Nutritionist
    Milly is working as our Sports Nutritionist (SENr). Her role is to support athletes in pursuing sporting excellence through all things food! Since completion of her MSc in Applied Sports Nutrition, she has worked with elite-level athletes in a range of sports. This direct involvement has given her the opportunity to witness the significant impact of optimal nutrition on high-level performance and the health and well-being of the athlete. Now in Bristol, Milly is providing nutrition support to our sports Scholars, Maroons, TASS athletes and Clubs.

Coaches and Coordinators

  • Dan Gaywood, Lead Performance Coach, Men's Rugby
    Dan is currently working as the Lead Performance Coach for the University Rugby Men's 1st XV. He joined the coaching set up for the 2023/24 season, having previously been at Bath University with BUCS rugby. Since completing his MSc in Rugby Coaching and Performance in 2019, Dan has gained experience in multiple professional environments, including Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby, where he is currently still a part of the PDG Academy program. Having achieved an RFU advanced coaching award, Dan is excited to further his progression and development within the UBRFC environment.
  • Development Coach/Lead Women’s Coach, Rowing
    Recruitment for this role is underway (July 2024)
  • Alan Tyers, Men's Football Coordinator
    Men's Football Coordinator with over 20 years of coaching in BUCS and has a level 3 coaching award from the FA. Alan has a wealth of experience of coaching and managing teams at varying levels and ages of football. He is passionate about developing University players and seeing them progress through the various levels within the university football club. He is keen to forge links with local teams in order to widen the experiences of the football cohort.
  • Chris Bolton, Cricket Coach
    With over 10 years of coaching experience, Chris is our UBCC Head Coach. Having made his ECB Premier League debut at the age of 17, Chris finished school and went to play overseas cricket in Cape Town. On returning to the UK, he was awarded a Cricket Scholarship in 2014 to be a part of Bournemouth University’s High Performance Programme, where he won the BUCS Southern Prem, National Cup Runners Up and National Indoor finalists. In 2017, Chris was awarded an additional Academic Scholarship including funding to complete his MSc research in South-East Asia. Chris is currently still playing West of England Premier League cricket; he also holds an ECB Advanced Coaching qualification and works alongside UBCC on Gloucestershire CCC’s Talent Pathway U18s.
  • Chantelle Wopara, Netball Coordinator
    Netball Club Coordinator, Chantelle Wopara, brings over 13 years of experience coaching university netball. Chantelle has experience of playing at National and Super League Level and is currently Team Bath Superleague Assistant coach. Chantelle’s ambition and passion is to make sure netball at the university is available to all, from those who want to play socially all the way through to the elite.
  • Martin Hicks, Hockey Coordinator
    Martin joined Bristol in 2021. Martin brings over 10 years of coaching experience at varying levels and ages in club, county and England Hockey Performance Centre roles. Martin is currently undertaking the GB Hockey ‘Advanced Coach Programme’ alongside his part time role with Bristol and his 'other' professional career. Martin is a dedicated and enthusiastic coach, driven by a passion for developing people inside and outside of sport. Martin aims to support hockey at Bristol to take the next step forward at all levels.
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