The
PORTAL Transition Officer training programme offers a comprehensive and practical learning experience for professionals working in athlete support, including those in
sport psychology, coaching, education, and career counselling.
Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the
athlete transition process, recognising that retirement from sport is not a single event but a dynamic and often prolonged experience that can involve significant emotional, social, and professional changes. The course explores both
voluntary and involuntary retirement scenarios.
Key areas covered in the course include:
- Understanding the psychological impact of athletic retirement, including identity loss, grief, and emotional adjustment
- Identification and management of mental health risks in athletes, such as anxiety, depression, burnout, and sleep disorders
- Development of personalised transition support plans, including education, career pathways, and life skills
- Application of motivational interviewing, active listening, and empathic communication techniques
- Strategies to promote balanced identity, wellbeing, and resilience beyond sport
- Building and coordinating multidisciplinary support networks, including psychologists, coaches, and career advisors
- Use of digital tools, including the PORTAL platform, for monitoring progress and delivering structured support
- Ethical considerations, including confidentiality, safeguarding, and inclusive practice
The course also provides practical tools and methodologies, such as
wellness assessments, life planning exercises, routine building, and support network mapping, enabling Transition Officers to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts.
By the end of the programme, participants will be fully prepared to act as
Transition Officers Post-Athletic Career (TOPs), capable of delivering personalised, ethical, and effective support that enhances athletes’ wellbeing and facilitates a successful transition into education, employment, and broader life opportunities.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
