Transition Support
Support is available to guide AIS athletes through all sport transition phases including non-selection, retirement, injury, rehabilitation, move from junior to senior teams and relocation.
As change affects athletes in different ways, the AIS is committed to providing its athletes with ongoing support. AIS ACE will assist athletes in transition periods throughout their scholarship and for 12 months after they leave. Further support is at the discretion of the AIS ACE Manager.
AIS ACE will assist athletes in transition periods throughout their scholarship and after they leave.
Examples : The following quotes from former AIS scholarship holders illustrate the range of feeling experienced when going through transition periods:
AIS to new program:
'I was told that I no longer had a scholarship at the AIS. I felt like a failure at the sport I loved. I needed to know that I had options in my sporting career and that I could still pursue my dreams. I found support in discussion with my coach, family, and other athletes with similar experiences and those people who had supported me at the AIS.'
AIS to National League:
'Moving from the AIS to a national league team was enjoyable but scary. My advice to young athletes starting at the AIS is to take the responsibility for yourself as soon as you can. You will rely on this when you leave the AIS wherever you go.'
Injury:
'All of a sudden my career was on the line. I was of little use to the team and all I could do was think about my injury. I needed support and a way of dealing with my situation.'
Retirement:
'It took me over a year to admit that I had retired from the sport I loved. When I stopped competing, it was like losing a good friend. It took me quite a while to find my identity away from my sport. It really helped to be able to talk to someone about the feelings I had.'
ACE staff meet with athletes in transition and discuss; future education and/or career plans, financial status and plans for completing current work/education commitments. They work with the athlete to explore any of these areas and provide referrals to ACE staff based at the state institutes and academies of sport and/or other education and career personnel. Interstate ACE staff are notified of any relocation.
During the 12 months after an athlete leaves the AIS, ACE staff will follow-up with athletes. This will allow both parties to discuss and review that athletes’ current situation in regards to their career and/or education plans and offer further assistance.
Athletes employed on-site will be allowed to continue with their work commitments for a period of up to three months after the completion of their scholarship. If athletes are not continuing in their sport as a competitor, decide to retire or for any other reason, they are encouraged to maintain contact with all AIS athlete support programs.
