LBU Sports Scholarship Athlete Ethan Hussey: Reflections on season success, incredible coaching and a certain future at Leeds Beckett

Ethan began his competitive journey at his first English Schools Cross Country, finishing 256th place. This seems a world away from his result the following year, going on to win the 1500m. Now, Ethan is a three-time successive winner of the English Schools Cross Country, as well as a three-time national champion across three different events (800m, 1500m, 3000m).

More recently, Ethan is coming off the back of, arguably, his most successful season yet as a professional athlete. Walking away with a European silver medal in the Under23 age group during his first year after moving from Junior to Senior, Ethan has already cemented his place as one of the best 800m athletes in the country right now. Notably, he achieved a personal best of 1.44.9 at the London Diamond event hosted at the London Olympic Stadium earlier this year.

These stellar results are testament to Ethan’s determination, as well as the support system he has within Leeds Beckett, specifically through Sport and Active Lifestyles and the coaching staff. “The impact my coach, ‘Hendo’, has had on my life has been immense,” Ethan explains, detailing his relationship with his coach, Andy Henderson. “Aside from the personal development, which speaks for itself, he’s been one of the most important people in my life aside from my parents,” Ethan explains.

“We have ridden the highs together and helped each other throughout the lows, which shows the type of man he is. Andy is always willing to help no matter the problem, working with any athlete to find a solution to achieve their goals, regardless if it is on or off the track.”

The Leeds Talent Hub within Sport & Active Lifestyles at Leeds Beckett University holds an important place in Ethan’s ‘team’, in part holding some responsibility for his progression as an athlete. Through the continuous development of the facilities and access to “some of the best brains available to us as athletes”, Ethan can attest to the quality of support on offer as a sport scholarship student.

Leeds Talent Hub works closely with the Carnegie School of Sport to deliver the bulk of their sport science support. Meanwhile, Ethan receives support through the Sport and Active Lifestyles Sports Scholarship Programme, which includes strength and conditioning, performance and nutrition workshops, facility access, sports membership and more.

With the winter season now commencing, Ethan has a few months break from racing until the new year, where he’ll decide on whether to compete in indoor or road racing. His time with the university, however, is far from over. “My future with Leeds Beckett will most definitely continue. While it has helped me progress so much already there is still a lot left to achieve in this sport, and the Talent Hub has already proved how vital it is to me.”

Visit Sport and Active Lifestyles for more information.