LJMU recognised for supporting athletes in education

Liverpool John Moores University has been recognised as a leading institution in supporting talented athletes in education.

LJMU has been accredited by a prestigious initiative from the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), backed by Sport England.

TASS Dual Career Accreditation Scheme supports young sportspeople to fulfill their academic potential as well as succeeding in their chosen sport.

The programme was introduced in 2017 and only 11 other universities in the country had previously been awarded the accreditation.

David McDermott, Head of Elite Sport and Athlete Management, said: “We are delighted to have been formally recognised for the support we provide to our young sports people at LJMU.

“We are absolutely committed to delivering an outstanding student experience and we do everything we can to help our student athletes balance their sporting and academic work to reach their full potential in both.

“We want them to go on to great success in their chosen sport and also have the skills and academic qualifications to ensure they can pursue a wide range of employment opportunities.

“LJMU has a well-established relationship with TASS and Sport England and becoming a Dual Career Accredited Site will enable us to develop those partnerships even further for the benefit of our students.”

LJMU is part of a network of universities partnering with TASS, delivering core support services to more than 600 student-athletes each year.

All Dual Career Accredited Sites receive training and a toolkit of resources to equip them with practical dual career support and bring together all parties who work with the athlete.

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.

In her Duty of Care in Sport review, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson said: “I believe we have a duty to help young people to achieve their potential, whilst prioritising their welfare, wellbeing and education. For the vast majority of athletes, skills and formal qualifications are needed to help them find alternative careers, either alongside their sporting activities or once their sporting days are over.

“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.”

TASS National Director, Guy Taylor, said: “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.”

Pictured: TASS Athlete and Boxer Ryan Dickens completing reactive strength testing (above) and Great Britain Blind Footballer and TASS athlete Rainbow Mbuangi training in the High Performance Unit (below).