Nottingham Trent University accredited by ground-breaking dual career scheme
NTU is leading the way with supporting talented athletes in education in England, having been accredited by an innovative Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) initiative
The Sport England-backed programme supports young sportspeople on the talent pathway to have the opportunity to gain qualifications alongside their sporting pursuits, follow other interests, as well as further their personal development.
By formally recognising an institution’s commitment to supporting student-athletes, the TASS Dual Career Accreditation Scheme aims to allow athletes to reach their potential in education alongside achieving success in their sport.
As a Dual Career Accredited Site, Nottingham Trent University will be an important extension of the network of universities that already partner with TASS, delivering core support services to more than 600 student-athletes each year. These support services include physiotherapy, nutrition, lifestyle support, psychology strength and conditioning and a private medical scheme.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson’s commented on the TASS scheme in the Duty of Care in Sport Review:
“For me the TASS Dual Career Accreditation Scheme is a vitally important measure to ensuring all athletes have the chance to pursue an education and enjoy a more well-rounded approach to life.”
For student-athletes, the academic flexibility policies may mean they have the opportunity to access online notes or resources, are able to arrange catch up sessions with teaching staff, or even reschedule deadlines or exam dates in exceptional circumstances.
TASS National Director, Guy Taylor comments:
“Dual career support is at the forefront of what TASS does and that’s why the Accreditation Scheme is so important for us in recognising those institutions who place precedence on their athletes’ education too. We hope that the academic flexibility policies put into place for the Accreditation will begin to develop an effective and lasting dual career structure within each institution”
For NTU, the recognition of becoming a TASS Dual Career Accredited Site will be beneficial, by attracting a greater number of talented athletes and building connections with other local sporting institutions.