This week UK Sport, the UK Sports Institute (UKSI) and the British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA) are increasing engagement with Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes to help them prepare for their life beyond a funded programme.

Athletes may leave a programme for a variety of reasons, including retirement from competitive sport, changes to classification, injury, illness, deselection or turning professional.

The need to increase awareness of the support available in leaving the World Class Programme was highlighted by a recent survey of elite athletes. The survey, conducted by the BEAA, asked respondents if they would feel prepared stepping away from sport and if they know who could support them to do so. Only 40% agreed that they would feel prepared, and 45% that they would know who to turn to. UK Sport, the UK Sports Institute and the BEAA are working together to help funded athletes and staff become better aware of the support available.

This joint campaign is part of a wider strategy across the organisations to enhance athlete support and seeks to recognise that, while any change within a sporting career can be uniquely challenging, understanding the process and preparing for it will help.  

Next steps are especially important to consider in the build-up to the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, with 278 summer athletes leaving their programme in 2022 v 125 in 2021, the year of the Tokyo Games, and 29 winter athletes leaving in 2023 v 15 in 2022, the year of the Beijing Winter Games.

In addition to provision available from individual sports, UK Sport, UKSI and BEAA support falls under three key areas: one-to-one support, learning and development, and ongoing connection to the athlete community.

Through the UKSI’s Performance Lifestyle Team, or Performance Lifestyle from the sportscotland institute of sport, Sport Wales or Sports Northern Ireland athletes can access individual coaching and mentoring to support their well-being and to encourage and facilitate their personal and professional development. From the UKSI, this one-to-one support is available during their career and for an additional two years after they leave a World Class Programme. The BEAA’s independent support team are also available for six months after an athlete’s funding ends.

The services and support that athletes can access include learning and development opportunities, to build new skills and move into new careers. Alongside funding via Personal Development Award (PDAs), which athletes can use as a contribution towards training, courses or qualifications.  

The BEAA facilitates a lifelong digital community exclusively for athletes. Here, they can access resources and connect with others at different stages of their career post-programme, remaining part of the elite sporting network for life. Former athletes can join at any time by clicking here.  

This means UK Sport, the UK Sports Institute and the BEAA are there for athletes when needed – during their career on a funded programme and beyond. Every athlete also has support available to them through their sport and their Home Country Sports Council or Institute, based on where they live or train.  

UK Sport Coaching and Athlete Support Lead Joanna Jones said: “Ensuring the right  support is available, both on and off the field of play, is of critical importance. By working together across the high performance community, we can help athletes develop both personally and professionally. Meaning they can be at their best from a performance perspective, whilst providing them with the skills and experience to thrive once their time as an elite athlete comes to an end. Whether an athlete leaves their funded programme due to retirement, deselection, long term injury or a range of other reasons, we what to ensure they feel fully prepared.”  

UK Sports Institute Head of Performance Lifestyle Jo Harrison said: “Performance Lifestyle practitioners from the UKSI or across the Home Country Sports Institutes are here to create safe spaces for athletes to explore who they are holistically. We feel that is extremely important, both to benefit their sporting career and their future pathways. We want all athletes to know that more support is available to them than ever before, there are people within their sport and the wider community who are here to listen and support them, no matter their circumstances.”

BEAA CEO Anna Watkins MBE said: “From my own experience, I know that elite sporting careers can’t last indefinitely but that there are a lot of positives in life after sport. It’s essential for athletes to prepare for their next steps, and accessing the support available is a major part of that.

“Our research indicates that athletes aren’t fully aware of the breadth of support available. While as organisations we provide different services and stand separate from one another, we know that transitioning to a new stage can feel daunting, so hope that by working together we can help more athletes to prepare for leaving the World Class Programme – whenever that may be.”

Athletes are encouraged to check upcoming communication via their emails, social media channels, and Performance Lifestyle practitioners, and to reach out to discuss support when they need to.

They can speak to their in-sport Performance Lifestyle Practitioner or email PL.Futures@uksportsinstitute.co.uk for more information.

Former elite athletes can join the BEAA's lifelong alumni community to connect with others at different stages of their career post-programme: alumni.britisheliteathletes.org/signup.