Athlete Transitions in Sport

The Australian Capital Territory Academy of Sport (ACTAS) Athlete Wellbeing & Engagement services, opens in a new tab provide support to assist athletes in finding their right balance between life activities, training and competition and the requirements of elite sport. Services include:

• Well-being
• Personal development
• Career and education
• Lifestyle management
• Community engagement
• Sport transition support

The New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Athlete Wellbeing & Engagement, opens in a new tab team is dedicated to supporting the development of exceptional athletes and well-rounded individuals. Their primary objective is to assist NSWIS scholarship athletes in making informed decisions that positively impact their athlete journey, performance, and overall life.

The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement, opens in a new tab team offers direct and specialist support to each QAS supported athlete, as part of the wider Performance Support Team for each of the QAS supported programs. The team works to ensure that each athlete has a comprehensive Individual Life Plan (ILP) that enhances athletic performance by:

• Supporting individual career and education goals
• Identifying personal strengths and values
• Facilitating personal development opportunities
• Linking athletes to community engagement opportunities that align with identified social issues and causes

The QAS Dream Twice Athlete Employment Program, opens in a new tab partners with Queensland businesses to provide QAS supported athletes with flexible paid employment.

The South Australian Institute of Sport (SASI) Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement, opens in a new tab (AW&E) Program assists athletes to develop a balance between life activities and sports performance, with a strong focus on overall wellbeing. AW&E services are available to all SAI scholarship holders, and National Sporting Organisation athletes based in South Australia. Key services include:

• Career pathways: empowering athletes’ understanding of their values, skills and preferences; acknowledging the changing world of work and employers’ expectations; and developing goals and a plan to achieve non-sporting aspirations.
• Lifestyle management: balancing the commitments of sport, education and life; understanding athlete identities, their brand and presence in person, online and on paper; and supporting life outside of sport, so athletes are better positioned for optimising performance.
• Educational guidance: assist in the navigation and understanding of educational pathways across all levels (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary); advocacy and liaison with schools and key stakeholders to ensure adequate support is available for student athletes; and access to resources and key contacts to inform athletes and significant others of educational opportunities.
• Employment preparation: career information and resources to improve labour market awareness; assist in resume and cover letter development; and guidance through job search, application processes and interviewing skills.
• Transitional support: providing services and resources to assist with non-selection, retirement, injury and relocation; navigating and adjusting to the challenges of significant life circumstances; and understanding and planning for life outside and after sport.

The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) Performance Lifestyle, opens in a new tab team supports the wellbeing of athletes and facilitates their personal and dual career growth for both now and through the myriad of transition points during their sporting career and beyond.

The Performance Lifestyle Team provides the following:

• Support to pursue a dual career via career guidance and education advice.
• Personal and professional development opportunities via individual athlete consults and athlete development workshops to facilitate the development of life skills and life plans.
• Athlete wellbeing support and education.
• Transition support and guidance for the various points of transition along an athlete’s journey in both sport and life. From induction to progression along the high performance pathway and then continuing transition support beyond the athlete’s sporting career.
• Career and education opportunities.
• Performance lifestyle support and education for VIS coaches and VIS athletes.
• Performance lifestyle education sessions for families of VIS athletes.

Alumni Program

VIS Alumni, opens in a new tab. The alumni group provides current and former athletes and staff with a continued connection to the VIS and stay involved as part of the VIS family.

The Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS) Athlete Wellbeing & Engagement services, opens in a new tab provides athletes with guidance, resources, and educational opportunities to achieve personal and professional empowerment.

This is driven through five work streams:

• Mental Health
• Conduct and Professionalism
• Personal Development
• Career and Education
• Community Engagement

TIS Champions Club, opens in a new tab.  The Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS) established the TIS Champions Club in 2006. The Champions Club recognises TIS athletes who have made a significant contribution to the development of elite sport in Tasmania through their performances and interaction with various levels of the sporting and general community.

The Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement, opens in a new tab Advisors work with athletes to create the best platform for them to achieve optimal performances, within and outside of their sport, from their first say at WAIS though until, and including, their transition from sport.  Athletes are supported to make informed considered decisions about their journey through sport, and life. Through a multifaceted approach, athletes are provided guidance, resources, and educational opportunities to achieve personal and professional empowerment and become professional, accountable, responsible, and resilient in their approach towards sport and life.

Focus areas:

• Engagement: Opportunities for athletes to engage with their local communities, grass roots sport and national charities.
• Mental Health: Access to best practice mental health information and education and individualised psychology services.
• Career and Education: Access to information, advice and face to face or online learning related to education, career mapping, professional development and work experience.
• Personal Development: Face to face or online learning related to wellbeing and personal growth.
• Conduct and Professionalism: Advice on managing integrity issues; guidance and support to navigate ethical decision making within the high-performance environment; and provision of policies and procedures.

Australian Olympians Association, opens in a new tab.  The Australian Olympians Association (AOA) provides a connection for all Olympians through functions and events, support for fellow Olympians in need and support for the current and upcoming Olympians and the ideals of the Olympic movement.

The Beyond Sport Mentoring Program, opens in a new tab aims to develop a universal co-designed model that facilitates holistic careers and support pathways for both Para-athletes and Employers. Key features include:

• Mentoring and peer support: Connecting Para-athletes with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, support, and inspiration. The Peer Support program aims to build a strong community of peers who can share experiences, offer support, and foster a sense of belonging.
• Advocacy: Empowering participants to advocate for themselves and others, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in all areas of life.
• Inclusive recruitment: Development of inclusive recruitment tools and resources, working directly with Program Partners to co-design.
• Skills building and employment opportunities: Providing opportunities for Para-athletes to develop essential life and careers skills that will benefit them both in and out of the sporting world. Building networks to support a meaningful career for all Para-athletes.