Skills and mobility program supported and developed by a dual career model using transferable skills by athletes and federations/stakeholders
▶Summary
Background A career in elite sport can be short, fragile and time-consuming. Most successful athletes will retire in their 30s and therefore need to find a new role in life. This project addresses this issue and adds preparation through a tailor-made business, leadership & management training program. Furthermore, the networking opportunities provided by the project and the access to different career pathways. Objectives The TIME-OUT 2.0 will use best practices from the original TIME-OUT, involve graduates in the planning and delivery of the program and continue building a sustainable support system for players combining education and sport. Participants will enhance their employability pathways through blended learning delivered by various academic partners. Furthermore, the project will invite federations' staff to develop their skills by joining the SWISH & WiLEAD programs, both focussing on EU Sport Policies Implementation The project objective was achieved by the creation of 2 sets of training programs: (i) A FIBA-led educational program for 50 basketball players, including a Leadership & Management course delivered by NU (UK), and (ii) a designed training program for 50 federations' employees in the areas of equity and diversity, sports integrity and player support systems. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the program was adjusted to initial blended learning and in-person workshops when travel was permitted. Achievements The results of the project were (i) the production of a "Master Key on Dual-career for Basketball players" using data gathered from questionnaires distributed to individuals, clubs and face-to-face interviews with TIME-OUT students, (ii) the creation of an online-based training platform where the interactive tools and training materials produced will reside, and (iii) the NF skills & exchange program, customized training for NFs staff people focusing on EU Sports Policies & Recommendations