National Athlete Career and Education Program

• The Athlete Career and Education (ACE) Network is a nationwide program that assists elite athletes to achieve sport and life goals through integrated learning, work and sports performance

• The National ACE program is managed by the AIS and delivered by the National Institute Network (NIN).

• The National ACE program is responsible for policy, leadership, development of new initiatives, national partnerships and helps shape the strategic direction for the ACE program to achieve a consistent approach to career and education

National Athlete Career and Education Program

23 qualified advisers

2500 athletes

Individual/tailored assistance

National Athlete Career and Education Program Objective

To facilitate nationally consistent services which will assist elite athletes to undertake education, vocation and personal development opportunities whilst pursuing and achieving excellence in sport.

‘A balanced approach to sporting excellence’

National Athlete Career and Education Program

Range of services• Career counselling and planning • Educational guidance• Employment preparation• Personal development training courses • Transitional support • Online services • Referrals • Lifestyle management

Key focus areas

• Relationship with National Sporting Organisations (NSOs)• Post – London Transition Event• Counselling support initiative• Elite Athlete Friendly University Network• Employment partnerships• Partnerships with AOC/APC• Coach engagement• Research• Broader wellbeing issues

Challenges

• Linking service to performance outcomes• Engaging some athletes• Getting the right delivery method to suit athlete needs• Perception of the program • Integration with high-performance teams• Transition – tracking and servicing

Successes

• Scope and range of services available• Many opportunities for face to face servicing• University partnerships (EAFU)• Strong athlete focussed service• Coach interaction• Staff

The changing athlete

The changing athlete

• Changing environment of elite sport, e.g. travel, competition training, and overseas based athletes, means we need to explore new ways to communicate with, provide information for, and engage our client group.

• How does this generation of athletes want to be communicated with and receive information? Need to respond to these changing needs or risk becoming irrelevant.

• Athlete’s expectations are changingEverythings Amazing & Nobodys Happy – YouTube

The changing athlete

• Our current athletes are very technology aware , time and convenience is important to them - we need to adjust with them.

• How does career and education planning fit into today and the future’s athlete needs? How do they want to conduct this process? Career apps...

• In response to these shifts, the Athlete Career and Education interactive website (ACE Online) was designed

ACE Online

• ACE online aims to assist elite athletes to manage and explore their career, education and personal development needs and interests through a flexible and interactive online environment.

• Compliments face to face work with advisors and provides opportunities for regional and overseas based athletes.

• Provides opportunities to disseminate knowledge, and engage athletes in new and exciting ways anywhere in the world.

ACE Online

• The content of this site has been designed to be used both as an interactive process and a resource for information, tools and links to help athletes learn about themselves and their career and education interests.

• Designed for the athlete as the user.

• A modulated program - ability to build a portfolio.

ACE Online

With 250 registered users and growing, ACE online has been an additional tool in the knowledge delivery and self managed learning of Australia’s elite athletes.

This tool has enabled the ACE program to broaden its reach, provide assistance to, and engage, those athletes who otherwise may not be able to access such support due to the global demands of elite sport.

Conclusion

• Our approach to engaging athletes in career and education needs to align to the way they want to receive this information

• There are gaps, and therefore opportunities, to use technology to enhance the way we work with athletes in all aspects of their development