Supporting dual career pathways

Last week’s mental session was dedicated to the idea of pursuing a dual career, the rationale behind having a Plan B and how it affects well-being and motivation. In the majority of cases our annual players combine a full-time or part-time programme at our academy with studies at the British College of Gava, a nearby international school. It is important for us to create for them such a possibility through our flexible schedules enabling both options.

Our team of psychologists has prepared a summary of the main points.

“A dual career is defined as a career with two main, simultaneous focuses in sport and studies or work. Athletes have to face challenges on and off the court. Those concerned with pursuing a dual career have healthier profiles of passion, motivation, and satisfaction of basic psychological needs than those who are almost exclusively oriented to succeeding in sport (linear trajectory).

A dual career approach makes it easier for those who fail to become elite athletes to have professional alternatives outside of sport and enables an easier transition to an alternative career after retiring from a high-competition sport. 

A general profile of competences of those pursuing a dual career:

1.      Ability to face stress in sports and studies

2.      Assertiveness

3.      Ability to use time efficiently

4.      Staying patient about the progression of your sports career and studies

5.      Ability to use the setbacks of sport and/or studies as positive stimuli”