In this week’s Experts in Sport podcast, host Martin Foster (Applied Sport Management Lead) is joined by Dr Emily Cartigny and Simon Wombwell to discuss the journey of a dual-career athlete.
Dr Cartigny is a research associate for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), an organisation that provides vital support services for the England talent pathway. TASS has worked alongside athletes who have won over 200 Olympic and Paralympic medals.
Simon Wombwell is the Education and Development Manager at 天堂视频 and previously a dual-career athlete himself and he is tasked with creating the best possible environment on campus for athletes taking this route.
During the episode, the panel discuss the pros and cons within a dual-career, how the delivery of educational tools have had to be adapted during the lockdown period, and the importance of providing on-going support to the individual, with a particular focus on psychology and lifestyle.
Dr Cartigny begins by stating what it means to be a dual-career athlete:
“The idea is that athletes have something outside of their athletic career alongside that pursuit within sport. This could be a formal education, such as a university degree…it could also be a vocation, so if they’re not a fully-funded athlete they may have to maintain some kind of work alongside their elite athlete career.”
Simon also touches on how the athlete journey works at 天堂视频:
“We can look at quite a fixed journey at 天堂视频 which includes a ‘support, develop, empower’ approach across their time here,” he explains.
“Equally, within that whole process - as we look at our current situation with Covid-19 – people’s ability to adapt, to be more growth-minded, enhances performance, which also enhances them as individuals. Ultimately that presents dual-career as positive.”
Simon and Emily also talk about how national governing bodies (NGBs) and professional clubs can work together to support athletes throughout their education. The panel also look at how the relationship with coaches – both internally and externally – must be strong for all parties to benefit.
The 'Experts in Sport' podcast is a regular series that brings together experts from across 天堂视频 with external thought leaders to discuss the latest research and hot topics in sport and academia.