Equipping Athletes With Career Skills After the Sports Field

Following a successful Athletes Career Programme (ACP) in Cape Town and Johannesburg last year, more athletes gathered at Olympic House, Johannesburg on Tuesday, 18 March to learn more about the professional opportunities available after sport.

The ACP, hosted by the National Olympic governing body SASCOC and the E for Exec Professional HR Services, was beneficial to all the athletes who were in attendance.

Amongst those athletes were London Olympian and top boxer, Siphiwe Lusizi, 2012 Olympic canoe medallist, Bridgitte Hartley and 2012 Paralympian athlete, Tebogo Mokgalagadi.

Says the Chair of the Athletes Commission and SASCOC Board Member, Emile Smith: "We are here to develop you holistically as athletes, your call in the field is as important as your call in your professional career. SASCOC, E for Exec and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have created this perfect vehicle to assist in creating a sustainable path for yourself, the lessons will take you further for years to come."

"This Athletes Career Programme teaches you ways to take the training ethic in the sport field and apply it to the next stage in your life – the work place. It will give you another tool to use in your back pocket and survive in this world."

Traditionally, most athletes are passionate, motivated, energised, focused, contented and productive in the sport field and were taught how to take these qualities to the workplace and excel in various professions. Professional networking, interview skills and resume’s compilation were among some of the main topics that were discussed.

E for Exec managing Director, Tracy Hardy added: "The E for Exec team were very excited to start working with yet another group of athletes in order to help them identify potential career paths for their life after sport. Identification of skills, values and characteristics are key to determine a career direction and to ensuring one lands not just at any job, but their dream job.

"We will be offering ongoing support and individual coaching to all athletes who participate in the programme and look forward to guiding them to success in their chosen career path, she concluded."

The athletes were enthusiastic about the various topics that were discussed and were involved in various team and individual work during the session.

Says Olympic canoeing medallist, Bridgitte Hartley: "This programme helps me identify what my interests and skills are and to see that there are more specific career options I can look into after my sports career."

Paralympian athlete, Tebogo Mokgalagadi reiterated: "This programme assists me with finding good ideas on how I am going to penetrate the professional career field after my sport career. It has equipped me with ways to network and market myself to potential employers."

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