Two athletes join the UKSI's Pilot Intern Programme
The UK Sports Institute (UKSI) has welcomed Paralympian Ryan Cowling MBE and Olympian Anna Hopkin MBE to its pilot Internship Programme with the UKSI Performance Lifestyle team.
The pilot Internship Programme recognises the incredible transferable skills that elite athletes hold, and it aims to provide a development experience that bridges the gap between competitive sporting careers and the wider working world.
Wheelchair rugby player Ryan and swimmer Anna will gain valuable experience working as part of sport-led performance support teams and the wider Performance Lifestyle team.
Both will benefit from a full learning and development programme alongside technical mentoring and support from the UKSI’s most experienced Senior Performance Lifestyle Practitioners.
Jo Harrison, Head of Performance Lifestyle at the UKSI, said: “We are incredibly excited to begin working with Ryan and Anna.
“We know we can offer them a wonderful, positive and full experience, but we also know they have so much to offer us and the sports they will be working with.
“We are very grateful for the opportunity to welcome and support two athletes into the team and we can’t wait to get started.”
The UKSI pilot Internship Programme starts in October 2024.
Ryan Cowling MBE
Ryan, a former serviceman, joined the GB Rugby talent development squad in 2014 and became team captain before being invited to train with the GB senior squad in 2015. After making his international debut, Ryan was selected to attend the Paralympic test event in February 2016 where the team finished first.
Returning to Rio for the Paralympic Games in 2016, Ryan made his Paralympic debut. He became a double European Champion in 2017 and 2019 and played a pivotal role in the gold medal-winning success at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Ryan also won gold with the team at the 2022 World Games.
Anna Hopkin MBE
Having studied, trained and broken records at the University of Arkansas, Anna won Commonwealth relay bronze and European silver on her return to the Aquatics GB fold.
Anna anchored Team GB to victory on her Olympic debut in Tokyo in a thrilling inaugural mixed relay race. She also finished seventh in the 100m Freestyle and fifth in the women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay.
Anna’s success didn’t stop there, picking up a pair of World Championship relay bronze medals before featuring at her second Olympics in Paris this year.
