Educational institutions
Educational institutions have a major challenge to regulate the development of their students as good as possible. Them being involved in dual careers of students could be very advantageous as it aims to serve the same goal. Persons from educations could be employees from high schools who are responsible for the overall well-being of students or who are more involved with dedicated athletes.
What do educational institutions need to know?
The importance of dual careers for athletes / students (and especially why it is important that children also participate in sports).
The club’s dual career vision / philosophy.
Who the responsible person is for the programme within the club and who can they contact for questions.
That athletic development and performances will never be at the expense of a healthy development and personal well-being.
How do you involve educational institutions?
Ask them for critical study moments for that year (to check if it is conflicting with important sporting events).
Send them your newsletters to inform them about your activities concerning the dual career programme.
Invite them to your events when relevant, for example at the beginning of your season.
Ask your athletes who is their contact person at school and archive this information. Then you know who to reach when it’s needed.
Be visible and let them know when and how they can reach you.
Guidelines for educational institutions to participate. As a student athlete coordinator/tutor/mentor ..
You are open for cooperation with sport clubs and have frequent contact with the dual career coordinator at the clubs.
You are aware of the potential advantages that a dual career could offer to the personal development of students.
You are open for discussions and meetings with the dual career team within the club and serve the interest of educational institutions.
You are able to stimulate autonomy in students, and especially dual career students.
Be able to effectively communicate with sports clubs when the important and busy school periods are.
You have, on behalf of the educational institution, a clear vision about dual careers.
You know the vision on dual careers of sports clubs.
You have to be aware that athletic development and performances will never be at the expense of a healthy, general (psychosocial) development and the well-being of young students/athletes.
“The fact that the school and the sports club are aware of each other’s annual planning and activities makes it possible to coordinate these efficiently.”
FINDINGS AND BEST PRACTICES as described in erasmus+ project icdc
From Educational institute CTO Papendal the Netherlands
Every year the CTO Papendal invites the schools for an information day at the largest Elite Sports Center in the Netherlands. The goal of this day is that education gets a better idea of life in elite sports. Elite athletes and sports talents will speak and talk about their experiences in their dual careers. Also, the education segment gets a better picture of the facilities and support in Dual Career of this CTO. “In this way, we bring education and elite sport closer together. I also explain what my role as study coach is and this way we can better connect support”, says Tijn Colen.
From Educational institute Humboldt University
Athletes-to-Mentee Humboldt University recognizes the problem that elite athletes do not always feel able to find their way to a coordinator or that this can be a big barrier. This is why this university has also developed a buddy system which puts high-performance sportsmen and women at the Humboldt University in touch with one another to allow them to advise and help each other. Via a platform, elite athletes are in contact with each other and are aware of their dual careers and developments within the university. Elite athletes find it particularly useful that an older-year student can guide newcomers and support them in, for example, studying and planning. Of course, it is also common for elite athletes to be unable to participate due to sporting activities.
It may then be wise to ask the buddy for (old) notes or to ask for an explanation of the content of, for example, missed lectures. Of course, it should be noted that this does not necessarily have to be a buddy with an elite sports background. It can be useful for elite athletes to have a buddy from the same class who is not practicing elite sports.
Recommendations from Erasmus+ project ICDC (Innovative clubs for dual career)
Schools need to be educated about the dual career situation of the individual athletes and ensure that athletes are recognised as student-athlete within education. Research shows that this benefits motivation and performance in dual career.
Explain to schools about the goal, benefits, impact and requirements of Dual Career in general.
Organise Dual Career awareness sessions for schools (information meetings at school or sports club).
Explain to schools the sport club’s vision on Dual Career.
Invest in a two-way street between sport clubs and schools.
Ask schools what they expect from sport clubs in the Dual Career support.
Make it clear to schools that athletic development and performance is never at the expense of a healthy, general (psychosocial) development and the well-being of young athletes.
Let teachers encourage athletes to take ownership of their own development and utilise the support that is available to them.
Explain to teachers how they can provide athletes with the necessary emotional, tangible and informational support to achieve in Dual Career.
Coordinate with schools regarding information on dual careers, so that athletes are aware of the Dual Career options for them.
Ensure that contacts and coordinators in sport and education know each other.
Ask schools to plan and prepare together for busy / important times within the school year, when athletes might be under additional stress. If possible, schools can provide additional support to athletes during this time.
Schools must acknowledge the achievements of athletes and share in their dual career successes.
An important aspect of the Dual Career programme of Red Bull Salzburg is more and better coordination between school and sport. Schools and the club are informed of each other’s schedules and share these proactively. Thus, activities in sport and school are aligned and an annual schedule is drafted. In this annual schedule exam periods can be rescheduled due to, for example, training weeks or important tournaments. In tournaments longer than five days, there is always an educator on the trip, who will ensure that all school online study packages will be completed, and the players will be on track when they are back at school.