Principle 1: Athlete Readiness
Athletes are equipped with the emotional skills and practical abilities required for relocation.
Every relocation is unique. Accordingly, each athlete should be considered individually in terms of their general physical and psychological needs, demonstrated independent living skills, career and education requirements, and capacity to integrate into a new environment.
Athletes (and their families) should be fully briefed about the requirements, challenges, and risks involved in relocation. Briefing should include detailed education around the day-to-day expectations and obligations that apply to athletes in the HP program.
Appendix 1: Guidelines for athlete readiness
AW&E managers should meet with athletes (and their family if the athlete is under 18) to assess and support an athlete to be practically and emotionally ready for relocation. AW&E Managers are encouraged to proactively offer their support and lessons learned from prior relocations, to help prepare athletes for their individual relocation needs. Where the relocation is from a NIN to a NSO program, a meeting with the NIN AW&E provider may provide a helpful starting point.
The Athlete Relocation Guide and Athlete Questionnaire are resources that AW&E managers may find useful for information-gathering purposes during this phase (Appendix 2).
Areas for consideration |
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1. | Familiarity with HP program | - Is the athlete familiar with the new DTE and surrounding location? Is a familiarisation visit required? If so, who will be financially responsible?
- Does the athlete have knowledge in relation to the day-to-day expectations of the HP program? How do they anticipate managing these expectations?
- How committed is the athlete to meeting these expectations?
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2. | Independent living skills | - Has the athlete lived out of home before?
- Is the athlete over 18? If not, what considerations must be taken into account for minors?
- Does the athlete have skills and experience in matters of basic self-care and self-sufficiency? Do they have adequate nutritional knowledge? (Have they ever shopped, cooked, and cleaned for themselves?)
- Has the athlete ever been responsible for paying bills? Has the athlete ever prepared and followed a budget? (Done a grocery shop? Laundered their own clothes?)
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3. | Emotional readiness | - Expected resilience: is the athlete mentally equipped for a significant relocation? (Tools are commercially available to sports to help with relocation readiness screening, if required).
- Social skills: is it anticipated that the athlete will be able to interpersonally connect with new people? Are their communication skills adequate, or is this an area that requires development?
- Knowledge of the DTE: is the athlete familiar with other athletes and coaches in the new DTE? Do they know who is going to be there? Are there any existing interpersonal issues?
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4. | Cultural considerations | - Are there any cultural, religious, or language-barrier considerations pertinent to the athlete that should be considered prior to the move?
- Diversity: is the new DTE equipped to deal with any diversity or inclusion issues as relevant?
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5. | Practicalities | - Are there any medical, injury, or mental health concerns where management needs to be transferred?
- Athlete equipment: where will it be stored? How will it be transported
- Other practical considerations to consider (Can the athlete drive? Do they have a car or need public transport? Is the athlete currently studying? If the athlete is currently studying are there any cross-institutional requirements that need to be investigated and requested? Is a transfer possible?)
- Has the athlete ever worked before? Will they be required to work in the new location? Do they have a resume? (Does the athlete work with a national employer? Can they continue with employment but change locations or work flexibly or remotely? Will they need temporary employment arranged? Can they take leave without pay with their current employer? What notice do they need to give a current employer?)
- Are trips back home expected or arranged? (Where possible, trips back home should be negotiated prior to relocating or very early in the relocation process. This should include the number and timing of trips, and who will be financially responsible. Having a planned trip back home is likely to give the relocating athlete something to look forward to, and assist with feelings of homesickness)
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