Athlete Transitions

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Athlete Transitions
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Aims Objectives

• Define transitions?
• Identify examples of transitions within an
  athletes career?
• Identify how other life events influence
  performance/well-being?
• Describe potential support mechanisms?

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Transitions (Schlossberg, 1981)

• An event or non-event which results in a change
  in assumptions about oneself and the world and
  thus requires a corresponding change in ones
  behaviour and relationships.
• 3 factors that affect transition
• Characteristics of the individual
• Perception of the transition
• Characteristics of pre/post transition
  environment

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Transition Models

• Models of transition endeavour to describe how
  individuals respond to change either in their own
  lives or environment
• There are many types of change and varying
  degrees of impact. Not all changes cause
  transitions
• Most transitions are associated with significant
  life events changes to the individuals role or
  environment that require radical restructuring of
  the individuals view of themselves and their
  world.

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• The process takes longer than most people expect,
  typically 6 12 months, sometimes longer.

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Task 1

• Write your own self report life line charting
  your well-being, traumas, successful/unsuccessful
  transitions and recovery points in your life.

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Identify the transitions in your athletic career?
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Developmental model SE (Source Paul Wylleman,
University of Brussells, 2004)
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Transition Management

• Multiple transitions can produce a cumulative
  deterioration in well being if the individual is
  unable to recover before another change.
• This is a serious hazard if an individual quits
  (or is dismissed from) a job or life role at the
  low point of a transition crisis, or if they
  encounter an emotional trauma while learning a
  new work role. These may need help.

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Developmental model HE (Source Paul Wylleman,
University of Brussells, 2004)
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Task 2

• Identify athletes who have failed to cope with
  transitions in their career.
• Why do you think this is?

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Supporting the Athlete

• Like most pro's I thought the day I signed as a
  pro was the day I had sorted out the rest of my
  lifeDarren Bicknell

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Task 3

• How can we support Athletes in making transitions
  throughout and at the end of their career?

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Potential Support Mechanism?

• 1. Performance Oriented
• Transferable Life Skills
• 2. Personal Development Training
• e.g. Time Management, Media Presentation
• 3. Education
• Guidance Support e.g. Course Selection
• 4. Career Guidance
• e.g. CV / Job Interviews, Work Experience
• 5. Shared Knowledge
• Athlete Forums, Business
• 6. Counselling and Support
• Transitions Coping

Personalised Support Service
HOLISTIC
PRO-ACTIVE RE-ACTIVE
ATHLETE-CENTRED
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Summary

• What are transitions?
• Identified examples of transitions within an
  athletes career?
• Identified how other life events influence
  performance/well-being?
• Potential support mechanisms?
• Understanding of transitional effects on
  performance planning.

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Reading List

• Wylleman, P., Alfermann, D. and Lavallee, D.
  (2004). Career transitions in sport European
  perspectives. Psychology of sport and exercise,
  5 (1), 7-20.