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Athletes Career and Education (ACE)
What is Performance Lifestyle
This is also known as Performance Lifestyle, it has been designed for those athletes who want to get the most out of their life - to be the best in everything that they do.
Elite athletes know that many aspects of their life impacts upon other aspects and that each ones needs to be planned and managed if they are to fulfil their true potential, they often have to fit their lives around intense training programmes.
How can it be Achieved?
Performance Lifestyle is a one-to -one support service designed specifically to help each athlete create an environment that is unique to them. The assigned Trained Athlete Advisor recognises that the main focus is the sports programmed the athlete is following and provides guidance on how to remain focused while still fulfilling other commitments that are important to the athlete, such as career, family, social and the financial aspects.
The advisor works closely with the coaches and support specialists as an integrated team to minimise concerns, conflicts and distractions which can all affect performance and could lead to the premature ending of a promising career.
Lifestyle Support
Athletes today need to be both professional and able to self manage, support can be sought in the following areas,
- Time management
- Budgeting and finance
- Dealing with media
- Sponsorship and promotion areas
- Negotiation and Conflict management
Careers and Employment Support
Advice regarding employment or deciding on a future career for athletes can include
- A job to supplement income and fit around training demands
- Work placements to give a 'taster' of possible careers
- Planning for a second career after sport
Athlete Advisors have links with local employers and the Olympic and Paralympic Employment Network (OPEN) programme - managed by the British Olympic Association to promote the skills and experiences that a sportsperson can bring to the workplace.
Education Guidance
. Many athletes combine study with their sport while others consider taking further qualifications in readiness for life after sport. Guidance is available on:
- Part time or professional courses
- Gaining flexibility in an existing study programme
- Making the right educational choices to fit into sporting demands
The Service
Performance Lifestyle is available to all athletes on the World Class Performance Programme, plus those who have been nominated by their respective Home Country Institutes.
Athletes can arrange confidential individual sessions with Athletes Advisors based at sports institute sites throughout the UK. The Advisors can also attend regionally based multi-sport workshops or attend squad training sessions. Athlete Advisors can also work with the sport's staff to deliver lifestyle management activities around an annual program or training camps.
For more information contact the Performance Lifestyle National Coordinator -lifestyle @ uksport.gov.uk