How are TASS athletes identified?
It is the responsibility of the National Governing Bodies (NGB’s) of each sport TASS currently supports to identify and nominate their selected athletes, with the final decision lying with TASS.
TASS currently works alongside some 48 sports’ including both men and women and disability sports. Funding is restricted to sports targeted for support by UK Sport, which tend to be Summer and Winter Olympic/Paralympic sports.
In addition to their sports specific performance criteria, TASS has its own eligibility criteria. The athletes should:
- Be aged 16 or above
- Hold a British passport
- Be able to represent the Great Britain or an English representative side (as appropriate) in their chosen sport
- Be undertaking a Recognised Education Programme registered at an institution in England
How long does the award last?
A TASS award is made annually, and runs from 1st October to 30th September.
What support do athletes receive from TASS?
TASS athletes receive a combined package of services worth up to £3,500. The award package is tailored to the individual athlete needs but follows the same framework and made of two elements: “Core Services” (strength and conditioning, physiotherapy and medical support, lifestyle support/mentoring and education and career support) and “Sport Specific Services” (coaching, competition and training expenses, equipment and sport science), these are provided in line with the relevant NGB’s requirements.
Who provides the sporting services to TASS athletes?
All Core Services are delivered by one of the 10 Hub institutions and their regional network of higher and further education institutions. There are currently over 50 accredited institutions delivering services on behalf of TASS. Most Sport Specific Services are also delivered via this network; although some NGB’s act as service providers as well.
How old do you have to be to qualify for a TASS award?
TASS aims to bridge the gap between non-funded, “grass roots” sport and world-class level sport, athletes must be aged 16 and above during the TASS year.
Can I apply for a TASS award?
All athletes are nominated by their respective National Governing Bodies. Please contact your NGB to find out more information.
What are the Aims of TASS?
In order to acheive the headline ambition of enabling athletes in education to win more medals for Great Britiain, TASS has a broad set of aims:
- To retain talented, young athletes, especially those most at risk of dropping out, in performance sport through the key transition phases at 16 years of age and upwards.
- To support talented, young athletes to progress up the performance pathway in their sport
- To enhance the level of success of talented young athletes at the appropriate high level of competition
- To enhance the extent and quality of partnership working between NGBs and the further and higher education sectors
- To enhance the capability of the further and higher education sectors to flexibly support and cater for – to an agreed standard – the needs of talented, young athletes.
