After the huge success of the 2014 Winter Olympics held in
Sochi, Russia, many British athletes are experiencing more public interest than
ever before. But navigating press exposure, financial commitments, career
decisions, education and welfare can be overwhelming.
Top athletes need access to qualified, professional guidance
to balance their time-consuming fitness schedules with many other commitments.
So the new Register of Personal Development Practitioners in Sport (RPDPS) - listing qualified professionals with expertise in the area - will be a real bonus.
So the new Register of Personal Development Practitioners in Sport (RPDPS) - listing qualified professionals with expertise in the area - will be a real bonus.
Lizzy Yarnold, the Winter Olympic champion, helped formally
launch the independent public register on 27 February in central London, along
with its creators from SkillsActive, an organisation that gives information and
advice to employers, training providers,
policy makers and key organisations in the UK sports and active leisure
industry.
"The register has been developed because of a demand
from the industry to create National Occupational Standards that enable
personal development practitioners to gain the trust and confidence of their
clients, which in this case are top level athletes," says Steve Mitchell
of SkillsActive. "In addition, national governing bodies and clubs can be
assured that the professionals working with their athletes and players are
fully qualified and competent in what is a very sensitive job role."
He believes that many people are "waking up to the fact
that sport is becoming a more lucrative business". This is attracting
people to the sector who offer advice and services that are below standard, he
warns. But he says the register "will provide the yardstick by which
professionals are accepted by the wider industry".
Let's hope the initiative achieves its aim of helping athletes
"perform to the best of their ability, minimising unwanted obstacles and
maximising future opportunities".
by Jane Collingwood
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