DUAL CAREER TRANSITIONS & NEW ENVIRONMENTS: Transition from competitor to retired athlete

“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” – Arnold Palmer

Planned / Unplanned The decision to retire from competitive sport may be something that the athlete has decided themselves and planned for or could be imposed on them due to injury or he decision of a coach.
Identity Athletes often report a sense of a loss of identity in the transition from an athlete.
Mental Health The loss of identity, routine, social group etc, may have an impact on mental health.
Career Options It is important to plan and asses in advance of retirement what career options are available and to have a next step on the day of retirement from competitive sport.
Finances What might be the impact of the loss of funding from government, prize money and sponsors, on the athlete.
Diet Does the retiree athlete make the necessary changes in diet to reflect a less physically demanding lifestyle.
Lose a social group Athletes would most likely now lose their interaction with a social group that would have been close and daily. Once you are out of the “dressing room” athletes may feel isolated from the group.
Transferrable skills Athletes need to understand what transferrable skills they have gained and how best to present them to employers.

Dual Career transitions & new environments checklist

☐ I know more about the different types of transitions that athletes go through in the course of their Dual Careers.

☐ I know more about how I can help athletes adapt to those transitions.

☐ I better understand the transitions in your own role as a parent supporting the Dual Career athlete.

I know more about the transitions from:

☐ School to University

☐ Relocation of Training

☐ Healthy to Injured

☐ Competitive to Retirement

Menu