Dual Career Research
‘Dual career’ is the term used to describe the two components of a student-athlete’s development; sporting and education demands.
TASS works to enable dual career pathways, thereby removing the pressure on talented athletes to choose between education and sport, allowing them to excel in both.
The Scheme is recognised as a forerunner in the area of dual career support and as such is keen to collate new research into the concept.
TASS work alongside former athlete and Talented Athlete Advisory Group member, Emma Vickers, whose PhD focuses on student-athletes’ transitions during university.
Meanwhile, Loughborough University’s Emily Deason, has completed the first year of her PhD, a systematic review of the literature available on on dual career.
TASS is also the industry partner for two further research projects: Nicola York’s academic assessment of TASS funded athletes and Steven Marshall’s research at Northumbria University.
TASS Potential: Schools Project
TASS Potential is an ongoing project in partnership with Teesside University, Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Derby and University of Durham to recognise and support talent in schools.
The initiative provides a valuable introduction to the services that are part of a TASS Award through bespoke workshops for youngsters aged 11 to 16. The four institutions are working with four schools respectively, and a total of approximately 50 talented student-athletes.
All athletes benefitting from the project have been identified as at the talent level for their age, and show potential in Olympic or Paralympic sports that are not traditionally supported in the schools’ sports programmes. Teaching provides students with a taster of the TASS support services such as strength and conditioning, psychology and nutrition.
The long-term goal of TASS Potential is to educate talented school children about balancing life as a student-athlete and prepare them for a dual career.
Ladies European Tour Project
TASS works alongside the Ladies European Tour (LET) to create a Dual Career Advice Service for players on tour.
The project continues following a TASS visit to the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters in September 2016 and a Dual Career Workshop during the Santander Golf Tour LETAS El Saler in October 2017.
British Army Partnership
TASS is working in partnership with the British Army to provide specialist support services to approximately 30 talented army athletes each year.
Launched in September 2016, the project follows a pilot scheme in boxing and shooting, and now covers a variety of sports at a number of TASS Delivery Sites, as well as from a TASS Army Hub based in Aldershot.
Backed by TASS alumna Major Heather Stanning, the partnership means the Scheme works closely with the Army Elite Sport Programme (AESP) in supporting a selection of the army’s top athletes.
LTA Player-Coach Programme
The Player-Coach Programme has been running since January 2016 in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and is supporting five talented tennis players in 2017/18.
The athletes are all currently competing on an international circuit whilst studying to qualify up to Level 4 LTA coaching qualification.
The 20-month programme gives the players an opportunity to combine a full time tennis programme, whilst developing their coaching qualifications, skills and experience.
Thereby supporting the transition of athletes from playing to coaching, as well as enhancing the tennis coaching provision across the TASS network.
Orienteering at Sheffield Universities
Since spring 2016, TASS has been part of a unique four-way partnership with British Orienteering, University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University to enhance the support for the existing ‘Sheffield Centre of Excellence for orienteering’.
The support consists of a bespoke programme including physiology and sports science testing for orienteering athletes who are studying at either of the city’s two universities.
The programme is proving to be an invaluable support for the nine talented athletes in a non-Olympic sport that receives limited funding.