Northumbria University has marked a standout year for its athlete support programme, hosting the largest TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) Conference to date and seeing its own Helen Ruud named TASS Sport Psychology Practitioner of the Year.
More than 250 practitioners, university leads and National Governing Body staff gathered at Northumbria for TASS Conference 2026, making it the best-attended edition in the event's history. The turnout included 31 TASS Delivery Site leads, with 38 of the scheme's delivery sites represented nationwide – a clear sign of how central the conference has become to the talented athlete support network.
Across the two days, delegates chose from sessions spanning Strength & Conditioning, Physiotherapy, Nutrition, Psychology and Personal Development, giving practitioners the chance to learn from leading voices across the full range of athlete support disciplines.
Four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent opened proceedings, setting the tone for a packed programme of expert-led sessions. Highlights included Tom Wates from the BRIT School exploring the science behind creativity in What Does the Data Say About a Creative Brain?, alongside sessions on rethinking sport science through a systems lens, physical preparation for contact and collision sports, and injury prevention in female athletes. Nutrition featured strongly too, with sessions on integrating nutrition within performance teams and practical nutrition for Para-athletes, while psychology and wellbeing ran throughout the programme – from sustainable high performance to practitioner self-care.
The conference also brought individual recognition for Northumbria's Helen Ruud, named this year's TASS Sport Psychology Practitioner of the Year.
Helen's nomination pointed to the significant impact of her work across the Northumbria programme, in particular her support for the university's Para-Curling athletes. Her tailored psychological strategies have helped these athletes manage pressure, build confidence and develop resilient performance routines at the highest level – support that was also credited as a key factor behind the successful inclusion of Northumbria athletes in the GB Paralympic Squad.
Her influence extends well beyond one-to-one athlete work. Helen has been instrumental in strengthening referral pathways across Northumbria's multidisciplinary team, helping create a smoother, more joined-up service linking physiotherapy, lifestyle support, strength & conditioning and sport psychology.
Dr Charlotte Hinchliffe, Head of Sport Psychology & Mental Health Lead at TASS, said:
"Helen was awarded this year's TASS Sport Psychology Practitioner of the Year award, standing out in what was the most competitive nomination year since the award was introduced. She has played a key role in raising professional standards, strengthening multidisciplinary team working and enhancing the overall quality of delivery at the site. Helen's contribution has been described as 'nothing short of exceptional', and this award is a fitting recognition of the positive difference she continues to make to athletes, colleagues and the wider TASS community. We are incredibly proud to have Helen as part of the team and congratulate her on this thoroughly deserved achievement."
Congratulations to Helen, and to everyone across the University whose work helped make TASS Conference 2026 such a resounding success.
