Loughborough Schools Foundation’s Head of Swimming and Triathlon, Chris Perham, continues to excel on the world stage while simultaneously inspiring and coaching the next generation of young athletes through his pioneering work at the Foundation and beyond.
Earlier this year, Perham claimed second place at the World Aquathlon Championships in Spain, a challenging race format combining competitive open-water swimming with a fast-paced run. This standout achievement adds to a growing list of international accolades that reinforce his position among the world’s top multisport athletes.
Additionally, Perham placed 19th in the world at the Indoor Triathlon World Championships, as well as securing first place in Round 3 of the British Triathlon National Series in Bristol. More recently, Chris competed for Team GB in World Cup Triathlon races in Poland and the Netherlands where he placed 12th and 18th respectively.
Despite a demanding training schedule, often including up to four hours of daily swimming, cycling and running, Chris remains committed to developing young talent through his dual roles at Loughborough Schools Foundation (LSF) and the Loughborough Triathlon Academy, which he founded in partnership with Loughborough University and Loughborough College.
“I’ve been training and competing at elite level for years, and that gives me valuable insight to share with our young athletes,” said Perham. “Because I’m actively involved in the triathlon world, I’m able to bring in expert coaching, share top-level facilities, and offer our pupils opportunities they wouldn’t get anywhere else.”
The LSF Triathlon Club, led by Perham, supports pupils from Year 4 at Fairfield Prep School through to Sixth Form at the senior schools; Loughborough Grammar School and Loughborough High School, and offers a pathway for talented athletes to be invited into the Loughborough Triathlon Academy. The academy brings together promising athletes from across the Foundation and Loughborough College, creating a high-performance environment that includes:
- Video-analysis swim sessions
- Strength and conditioning training
- Turbo cycling sessions at Loughborough College and University
- Access to elite coaching and nutritional support
- Coaching and training sessions led by top athletes
The Swimming and Triathlon coaching team at the Foundation includes current and former GB triathletes, Commonwealth Games athletes, World Cup competitors, and Paralympic guides, all holding Level 2 or 3 triathlon coaching or swim teaching qualifications, ensuring world-class experience and knowledge at every level.
The Academy also provides a natural progression route into the Loughborough Triathlon Performance Centre, at Loughborough University, thanks to strong partnerships across the town’s education providers.
“It’s been fantastic to see the growth of the Academy since we launched it nearly two years ago,” said Perham. “We’re now supporting young athletes all the way to university level, and the collaboration between schools, college and university is giving them the best possible chance to reach their potential.”
Loughborough Schools Foundation pupils regularly compete in regional and national competitions, and Perham’s leadership has helped secure a series of gala wins and individual personal bests across the board. Additionally, pupils from the Loughborough Schools Foundation have been invited to part in swim clinics run by Perham and his network of swimming coaches, gaining expert feedback and honing swimming technique during the holiday break.
“The Foundation has been incredibly supportive of my racing commitments,” he added. “I hope my experience can inspire our pupils and show them what’s possible through commitment, hard work, and the right support.”
Prior to next year’s competitions, Perham and the GB Triathlon team will head off to sunnier climates for some warm-weather training in Lanzarote over the winter. However, he will be back at the Loughborough Schools Foundation swimming pool for the start of the new term, ready to resume his expert coaching of pupil swimmers and triathletes.
