For young and aspiring athletes in London, the idea of breaking into elite sport feels like a locked system. Academy trials, limited opportunities and ultimately, the result will lie out of their hands.
Under Armour’s UA Next programme is a long-running talent pathway aiming to not only ease those barriers, but to shatter them.
UA Next, which is now in its tenth season and has tested over 12,500 athletes in London, was created to elevate the next generation of athletes through a level playing field for everyone involved.
By putting a range of 16 to 20-year-olds through vigorous free testing at the UA Next Academy in Battersea, individuals get the chance to showcase their talents.
After being tested on six core athletic measures – which consist of speed, strength, agility, power, endurance and athletic intelligence - top performers progress to the UA Next Camp.
Successful candidates will then face further tests, focusing on the mental aspects required in elite sports, as well as physical skills.
The challenges are designed to push athletes out of their comfort zone within different sporting environments and locations across the capital, replicating the unpredictability of elite sport.
The pathway to the top is not always linear and the UA Next programme is the perfect preparation to discover who is capable of excelling at the highest level.
From there, numbers get even tighter. Over 1500 athletes were tested in the latest season, with only 12 of them invited to the next camp and four of them winning the ultimate prize – a 12-month Under Armour sponsorship contract.
The involvement of a high-profile figure such as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta – who reviewed performances and selected contract winners - raises the competitive credibility even further.
The presence of these elite-level stars highlights the importance of UA Next and what it signifies. The route to the top is changing and this programme, which continues to evolve by the day, offers a genuine and respected pathway outside traditional academy systems.
The new season of Under Armour’s UA Next programme will be rolling out on Instagram and TikTok throughout December. Think you have got what it takes? Book a test and prove it.
Featured Image Credit: Under Armour
Thomas Thorn