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Overview of the role

Able to competently perform the professional sport in which they train such as; cricket, football, rugby league, rugby union and equestrianism.

Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education logo

Sporting excellence professional

Details of standard

This standard has options. Display duties and KSBs for:

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in professional sporting disciplines, including cricket, football, rugby union, rugby league, horseracing and equestrianism.  

 

The broad purpose of the occupation is to participate at a professional level in individual or team sports. Sporting Excellence Professionals perform consistently and effectively in training environments and competitions in their chosen professional sport. They are part of a team and are supported and managed by a wider and multi-disciplinary team, including a manager/coach/ trainer, skills coaches, physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionist, strength and conditioning experts, and educational staff. They have high level of autonomy in terms of responsibility for what happens on the field of play or equine arena/venues and need to be able to cope with extreme pressure. 

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with coaches, employers, fellow athletes, sporting officials and multidisciplinary support staff, administrative staff, external partners e.g. broadcasters, fans. 

An employee in this occupation is responsible for committing to their development and involvement in training and competitive professional sporting activities. This involves maintaining a high level of fitness to allow them to participate in training and competitions, sustaining a lifestyle designed to optimise performance, being aware of external factors that may affect individual performance both physically and psychologically, and maintaining a positive and inclusive image of their sport as part of their social responsibility.

Typical job titles include:

Dressage rider Equestrian athlete Eventer Jockey Professional cricketer Professional footballer Professional rugby league player Professional rugby player Professional sportsman Show jumper

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements and will need to be registered with the National Governing Body and/or Leagues relevant to the professional player pathway for their sport to ensure they are able to provide the right environment in which to successfully develop Sporting Excellence Professionals.

Core occupation duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 1 Effectively represent, commit and perform to the best of ability in chosen sporting discipline at a local, regional, national or international level.

S15

B2 B5

Duty 2 Undertake a daily training routine, supported by a multi-disciplinary team, to ensure development and retention of the technical, tactical, physical and psychological skills necessary for performing at a professional level.

K1 K2 K4 K10 K11 K12 K17 K18

S3 S9 S15 S16

B3 B6

Duty 3 Undertake safe and effective sporting activities as instructed with due regard to self, support team and other participants.

K5

S5

Duty 4 Manage and fulfil daily, weekly and seasonal sporting and training commitments.

B3

Duty 5 Exhibit inclusive, fair, ethical and respectful behaviours when involved, training or competing in their chosen sporting discipline, and positively model professionalism through personal presentation and integrity.

K7 K13

S11

B1 B2 B4 B8

Duty 6 Record daily activities, plan goals and targets and monitor and evaluate performance.

K2 K3 K18

S2 S16

B2 B6 B7

Duty 7 Use data/statistics to assist in improving performance and to aid in setting development goals.

K1 K2 K3

S1 S2

B2

Duty 8 Maintain a satisfactory and safe environment to undertake training, coaching and high-level sports participation.

K6

S5 S6

Duty 9 Operate within strict regulatory and bio-security practices. For example, implementing anti-doping policies and following codes of conduct when at sports grounds/venues.

K8

B4

Duty 10 Implement appropriate fitness, nutritional and psychological skills programmes to optimise and excel at competitive performance.

K4 K9 K10 K11 K12

S3 S7 S8 S9 S10

Duty 11 Implement a personal career action plan that identifies secondary supplementary career options.

K15 K16

S14

B5

Duty 12 Practice a lifestyle conducive to high levels of performance.

K14

S6 S13

Duty 13 Work with a multi-disciplinary team to support continuous improvement in training, performance and competition.

K1 K18

S16

B6

Duty 14 Communicate effectively and build meaningful relationships with multiple stakeholders, staff and peers within the individual’s chosen sport.

K13

S11 S12

Duty 15 Perform a range of prehab and rehabilitation procedures, including recovery protocols to maintain high levels of repeated physical performance daily, and throughout the year.

K5

S4

Option duties

Football duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 16 Perform a range of footballing technical and tactical skills in training and competition to optimise team performance.

K19 K20 K21 K22

S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24

Duty 17 Analyse own, teammates and opposition skills to make strategic decisions to optimise team performance in a football environment.

K2

S1 S2

Duty 18 Undertake pre- and post-match footballing procedures relevant to game plans, and legal and regulatory procedures.

K5 K6 K7 K8

S4 S5

Duty 19 Review own and team performance to address strengths and weaknesses to improve future outcomes in a footballing context.

K18

S16

Cricket duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 20 Perform a range of cricketing technical and tactical skills in training and competition to optimise team performance.

K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28

S25 S26 S27 S28 S29 S30 S31

Duty 21 Analyse own, teammates and opposition skills to make strategic decisions to optimise team performance in a cricketing environment.

K2

S1 S2

Duty 22 Undertake pre- and post-match cricketing procedures relevant to game plans, and legal and regulatory procedures.

K5

S4 S5

Duty 23 Review own and team performance to address strengths and weaknesses to improve future outcomes in a cricketing context.

K18

S16

Rugby League duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 24 Perform a range of rugby league technical and tactical skills in training and competition to optimise team performance.

K29 K30 K31 K32

S32 S33 S34 S35 S36 S37

Duty 25 Analyse own, teammates and opposition skills to make strategic decisions to optimise team performance in a rugby league environment.

K2

S1 S2

Duty 26 Undertake rugby league pre- and post-match procedures relevant to game plans, and legal and regulatory procedures.

K5

S4 S5

Duty 27 Review own and team performance to address strengths and weaknesses to improve future outcomes in a rugby league context.

K18

S16

Rugby Union duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 28 Perform a range of rugby union technical and tactical skills in training and competition to optimise team performance.

K33 K34 K35

S38 S39 S40 S42 S43 S44 S45 S46

Duty 29 Analyse own, teammates and opposition skills to make strategic decisions to optimise team performance in a rugby union environment.

K2

S1 S2

Duty 30 Undertake rugby union pre- and post-match procedures relevant to game plans, and legal and regulatory procedures.

K5

S4 S5

Duty 31 Review own and team performance to address strengths and weaknesses to improve future outcomes in a rugby union context.

K18

S16

Equestrian duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 32 Perform a range of equestrian technical and tactical skills in training and competition to optimise team performance.

K36 K37 K38 K39 K40 K41

S41 S47 S48 S49 S50 S51 S52 S53 S54 S55

Duty 33 Monitor health and welfare of horses during training and competition and report any changes or abnormalities.

K40

S48 S50

Duty 34 Assess external conditions to promote effective training and performance regimes, including surfaces, weather conditions and competitive conditions

K31 K36 K39

S48 S54

Duty 35 Perform relevant riding and training activities under instruction leading to improved performance or evaluation of training plan.

K37 K38

S47 S49 S50 S51 S52 S53 S55

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8


KSBs

Knowledge

K1: How to utilise multi-disciplinary staff to improve tactical performance, addressing individual strengths and weaknesses through the use of individual action plans, training and competition. Back to Duty

K2: How to use technology, such as video footage or software packages, to interpret and compare different forms of analysis. Back to Duty

K3: How to use analysis to evaluate both technical and tactical performance and impact on results during training and competition. Back to Duty

K4: The physical requirements of the individual’s chosen sport, such as cardiovascular fitness, explosive power, stamina of professional sport; principles of training (including periodisation) and specificity and methods (e.g., strength and conditioning, fundamental movement, physical literacy) used to develop physical capabilities. Back to Duty

K5: The common types of injury (e.g., soft tissue damage) relevant to professional sport; how to prevent, recover, rehabilitate from and manage injury and the physiological and psychological responses to injury. Back to Duty

K6: Safe and effective practice in sports performance environments, and how to access appropriate support networks for any areas of concern or individual wellbeing – individually and on behalf of colleagues. Back to Duty

K7: The importance of equality, inclusion and diversity across society and professional sport. Back to Duty

K8: The legislation and guidance with regards to Anti-Doping including the negative impacts and side effects of using performance enhancing or recreational drugs on personal performance, career and the reputation of the sport. Back to Duty

K9: The importance of nutrition to help achieve excellence in professional sport. Back to Duty

K10: The psychological and emotional demands of professional sport and how to make the best use of these capabilities. Back to Duty

K11: The methods and strategies that relate to fundamental, preparatory and performance phases such as emotional resilience, visualisation, refocussing, concentration, and pre-performance routines. Back to Duty

K12: The demands of effective leadership in professional sport, identifying traits and behaviours of appropriate role models. Back to Duty

K13: The mechanics of effective communication (personal and professional) and building and sustaining relationships with other people. Back to Duty

K14: The importance of lifestyle management factors relevant to being a professional sports person, such as finance and a responsible social media presence. Back to Duty

K15: The components (e.g. goal setting, planning) that contribute to the individual’s chosen primary career plan, and the key facets of self-identity as a professional sports person and as an individual. Back to Duty

K16: The importance of secondary and supplementary careers and consideration of dual career aspirations.. Back to Duty

K17: The influence and impact of each performance area on each other and how they interact. Back to Duty

K18: How to self-reflect, self-evaluate, utilise feedback from coaching and multi-disciplinary staff and use goal setting processes and development plans to positively impact all discipline areas. Back to Duty

K19: A range of different technical aspects of performance when passing or distributing, receiving, retaining, travelling with the ball, defending, attacking and during transition. (football) Back to Duty

K20: Their individual position-specific technical playing role and how to be adaptable and comfortable in the requirements of other position specific roles and responsibilities within units and teams (football) Back to Duty

K21: A range of different tactical aspects of performance including formations, strategies, transition of play, playing style, philosophy (football) Back to Duty

K22: Their individual position-specific tactical playing role and how to be adaptable and comfortable in the requirements of other position specific roles and responsibilities within units and teams (football) Back to Duty

K23: The demands of their primary role (specification) and the technical requirements of that role. This will be either batting, pace bowling, spin bowling, wicket keeping in terms of mechanics, and ball manipulation from the hand or off the bat. (cricket) Back to Duty

K24: The demands and technical requirements of their secondary role. This will be batting, pace bowling, spin bowling, wicket keeping or fielding. (cricket) Back to Duty

K25: General fielding positions and the fundamental basics of specific fielding role(s), associated technique and movements. (cricket) Back to Duty

K26: Know their individual strengths and weaknesses in relation to their skills (in training and competition). (cricket) Back to Duty

K27: A range of different tactical aspects of cricket performance relating to different game formats; containing or taking wickets of the opposition; deployment of field placings; setting or defending a total; shot selection; timing of decision making, team approach. (cricket) Back to Duty

K28: How they utilise their skills in their role during a match. For example, opening batters; middle order and batting down the order, an all-rounder; opening bowlers, first change, at the death. (cricket) Back to Duty

K29: A range of different technical aspects of performance when attacking or defending within the team. Such as; Attacking – Grip, catching, passing, carry, lines of run, body position and landing, evasion, play the ball and support play Defending - tackle technique, groundwork, marker play, body position and footwork, shape and defensive line responsibilities. (rugby league) Back to Duty

K30: A range of different tactical aspects of performance (e.g. Set plays, game plans, game management, transition of play, philosophy and weather conditions). (rugby league) Back to Duty

K31: The specific roles and responsibilities within team shape and structures. (rugby league) Back to Duty

K32: How to analyse an opponent’s strengths and weaknesses during competition to create opportunities or contain threats. (rugby league) Back to Duty

K33: A range of different technical aspects of performance in rugby when passing, catching, kicking, tackling and evasion skills are required to participate. (rugby union) Back to Duty

K34: A range of different tactical aspects of performance (e.g., attacking and defensive set piece, transition of play, playing style and philosophy). (rugby union) Back to Duty

K35: The principles and requirements for successful exit strategies to not only relieve pressure but to turn into attacking opportunities. (rugby union) Back to Duty

K36: A range of different technical aspects of performance when riding in competition, taking account of the horse’s age and experience, the required pace and distance, control and speed, judging criteria and awareness of other competitors. (equestrian) Back to Duty

K37: Their individual responsibilities specific to the competitive conditions, including surfaces, terrain, season, weather and competitive conditions, and how to be adaptable and responsive to changes arising from the actions of other competitors. (equestrian) Back to Duty

K38: Know their own, and their horse’s, individual strengths and weaknesses in relation to their skills (in training and competition including start, finish, change of going or weather conditions). (equestrian) Back to Duty

K39: A range of different tactical aspects of equine performance including course conditions and layout, age and experience of horse, qualification requirements, strategies, riding style, philosophy and judging criteria. (equestrian) Back to Duty

K40: How to undertake pre- and post- competitive procedures in line with ethical, moral, inclusive and regulatory requirements including equine anti-doping procedures. (equestrian) Back to Duty

K41: How to monitor health and welfare of the horse, knowing what damage may occur, how to look for it and who to report it to (equestrian) Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Use digital technology to refine and optimise performance in terms of tactical approach to the opposition, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, creating individual tactical plans and reviewing training and competitive performance. Back to Duty

S2: Use data and digital insight to improve performance of their skills and performance. Back to Duty

S3: Continually improve physical capabilities by utilising insight and expertise from specialist support staff through completing bespoke conditioning activities such as speed, power and coordination, as well as on and off field/course/venue training programmes that might take place in the gymnasium, swimming pool or performance lab. Back to Duty

S4: Engage in injury prevention and management programmes utilising insight and expertise from specialist support staff to help mitigate impact of injury on training and competition performance. Back to Duty

S5: Apply safe practice principles across all elements of training, preparation and competition - for example when working with equipment, working alone, working under pressure, or travelling abroad. Back to Duty

S6: Take appropriate action to source relevant information for pre- and post-testing and at all times, be able to access a current list of prohibited and banned substances. Back to Duty

S7: Implement a programme to improve diet and approach to hydration and nutrition, incorporating feedback and evaluation from specialist support staff. Back to Duty

S8: Psychological and Emotional performance: Profile psychological strengths and weaknesses and implement their agreed programme to meet individual and sporting requirements. Back to Duty

S9: Apply consistent and effective psychological and emotional skills in training and performance or competition environments. Back to Duty

S10: Plan, implement and develop personal leadership skills both in and away from their professional playing/riding career. Back to Duty

S11: Communicate and build constructive and effective relationships with staff, colleagues and peers conducive to performance development. Back to Duty

S12: Effectively manage conflict and present a positive image of themselves, their organisation and their sport in all situations. Back to Duty

S13: Identify and engage with a personal action plan to improve lifestyle management that promotes and develops mental wellbeing and emotional health. Back to Duty

S14: Design and implement a personal career action plan that identifies how to manage the transition into the next stage considering secondary and supplementary careers. Back to Duty

S15: Deliver consistent performance under pressure through effective integration of all performance disciplines . Back to Duty

S16: Reflect and review performance and training to analyse, progress and improve performance, both in training and competition. Back to Duty

S17: Demonstrate assured basic techniques and an extensive range of ball skills which meet positional specific requirements (e.g., shooting, heading, handling) and meet governing body guidelines. (football) Back to Duty

S18: Manipulate the ball with clean contact skills and excellent control when passing or distributing, receiving, retaining, and travelling with the ball, and using all parts of the body. (football) Back to Duty

S19: Pass and/or distribute the ball intelligently and efficiently over varying distances when unopposed and under pressure. (football) Back to Duty

S20: Execute positional specific techniques skilfully at optimum and varying speeds and maintain precision under pressure. (football) Back to Duty

S21: Effectively execute specific individual roles and responsibilities within units and teams making good tactical decisions (e.g., cover, balance, when to press, when to drop). . (football) Back to Duty

S22: Demonstrate effectiveness within team attacking and defending strategies and when in periods of transition. (football) Back to Duty

S23: Apply appropriate tactical approaches to deal with specific moments in the game (e.g., game management). (football) Back to Duty

S24: Constantly monitor the development of play both in and out of possession and during transition to make effective decision making in a range of situations. (football) Back to Duty

S25: Execute and have assured fundamental technical skills in relation to their primary role. This will be either batting, pace bowling, spin bowling or wicket keeping. (cricket) Back to Duty

S26: Execute fundamental technical skills in relation to their secondary role. This will be batting, pace bowling spin bowling, wicket keeping or fielding. (cricket) Back to Duty

S27: Execute fundamental fielding techniques in relation to how they move as an individual and position on the pitch. (cricket) Back to Duty

S28: Actively use coaching and support staff to positively affect their game so they know their individual strengths and weaknesses in relation to their skills (in training and competition). (cricket) Back to Duty

S29: Set targets to improve their individual approach to their technical skills. (cricket) Back to Duty

S30: Effectively execute specific individual roles and responsibilities within team performance making correct tactical decisions for example - regarding game formats, timing, shot selection, ball selection (what type of ball to bowl), field positioning, game intelligence. (cricket) Back to Duty

S31: Constantly monitor the development of play and react accordingly, using game intelligence, and demonstrating that their decision-making is effective in a range of situations as games progress. (cricket) Back to Duty

S32: Demonstrate assured basic techniques and an extensive range of skills to take the most appropriate course of action on the field. (rugby league) Back to Duty

S33: Consistently execute a number of key skills when attacking and defending such as: Attacking – execute consistently their grip, catch, passing and lines of run to achieve positive outcomes and successful carries.Defending - execute consistently the appropriate footwork, body position and tackle technique, to achieve positive outcomes and successful tackles. (rugby league) Back to Duty

S34: Play a positional specific role within the team, adapting and applying the correct techniques depending on the game situation and the impact of individual performance on the team’s outcomes. (rugby league) Back to Duty

S35: Make the correct and appropriate decisions under pressure, whilst taking into consideration a number of varying parameters and possible outcomes. Constantly monitoring the development of play in relation to:Attack – receiving the ball to demonstrate effective decision making in a range of situations.Defence – reacting to the oppositions decision making to achieve a positive outcome (e.g., tackle completed). (rugby league) Back to Duty

S36: Effectively execute specific individual roles and responsibilities within the team in both attack (e.g., running support lines, executing set plays) and defence (e.g., working in units, dominating the tackle). (rugby league) Back to Duty

S37: Read and react to the oppositions decision making to achieve positive outcomes in both attack and defence. (rugby league) Back to Duty

S38: Apply assured basic techniques and an extensive range of core skills such as evasion, collision, and contact, pass and kick, which cover the aspects of the game required by all positions. (rugby union) Back to Duty

S39: Manipulate attackers and defenders with a variety of methods such as footwork, ball skills, and contact collisions skills. (rugby union) Back to Duty

S40: Use both hands and both feet to perform skills within the given context. (rugby union) Back to Duty

S41: Pass and kick the ball intelligently and efficiently over varying distances when unopposed and under pressure. Beat opponents in one versus one situations or by combining play with others. (rugby union) Back to Duty

S42: Recognise opportunities to run or kick the ball, and is effective in doing so in a variety of different ways Back to Duty

S43: Execute techniques skilfully at varying speeds and maintain precision under pressure. Back to Duty

S44: Effectively execute specific individual roles and responsibilities as an individual and within team roles, whilst monitoring and being aware of a number of varied parameters and different outcomes. Such as:Attack – receiving the ball to make appropriate decision making in a range of situations.Defence – reacting to the opposition attackers to make an appropriate decision (e.g., to tackle or to enter a breakdown) leading to a successful outcome.Kicking Game – reacts to both defence and attacking shape to make the appropriate kick or supporting action when the ball is kicked. (rugby union) Back to Duty

S45: Demonstrate effectiveness within team attacking and defending strategies and when in periods of transition. (rugby union) Back to Duty

S46: Constantly monitors the development of play and positions effectively relating to the situation and area of the pitch. (rugby union) Back to Duty

S47: Demonstrate confident and effective riding techniques and an extensive range of equestrian skills which meet competition-specific requirements (e.g., speed, direction, balance, judgement of pace and distance). (equestrian) Back to Duty

S48: Undertake pre-and post-competitive activity, taking account of horse and rider welfare and safety. (equestrian) Back to Duty

S49: Ride to obtain optimal performance within the competitive conditions with excellent control at all paces and with an effective and balanced body position. (equestrian) Back to Duty

S50: Ride competitively, intelligently, and efficiently taking due regard to the monitoring of horse health and welfare, checking for injury and reporting as appropriate. (equestrian) Back to Duty

S51: Execute positional-specific riding techniques skilfully and maintain precision under pressure. (equestrian) Back to Duty

S52: Effectively execute equestrian-specific skills within a training and competitive environment, making good tactical decisions (e.g., pace, balance, terrain, going, other participants). (equestrian) Back to Duty

S53: Demonstrate effectiveness within a competitive performance under different conditions, including terrain, going, weather, season and taking account of the tactics of other riders. (equestrian) Back to Duty

S54: Apply appropriate tactical approaches to deal with specific instances in the competition (e.g., start, finish, change of going or weather conditions). (equestrian) Back to Duty

S55: Constantly monitor the development of competition to make effective decisions in a range of situations.. (equestrian) Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Positively model professionalism through personal presentation and integrity in all actions Back to Duty

B2: Be collaborative in teamwork situations - especially under pressure Back to Duty

B3: Self-manage weekly commitments which include time management and organisation Back to Duty

B4: Conduct themselves in a respectful, fair, and approachable manner and in line with the employer’s standards and code of conduct. Back to Duty

B5: Demonstrates a strong, positive, and dedicated work ethic which clearly shows ownership of personal development, aptitude, aspiration and ambition Back to Duty

B6: Be self-reflective Back to Duty

B7: Own and engage in goal setting processes Back to Duty

B8: Exhibit inclusive behaviours recognising equality and diversity. Back to Duty


Qualifications

English and Maths

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.


Additional details

Occupational Level:

3

Duration (months):

18

Review

This apprenticeship standard will be reviewed after three years.

Status: Approved for delivery
Level: 3
Reference: ST0524
Version: 1.1
Date updated: 28/11/2022
Approved for delivery: 7 May 2019
Route: Health and science
Typical duration to gateway: 18 months
Typical EPA period: 3 months
Maximum funding: £10000
Options: Football, Cricket, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Equestrian
LARS Code: 446
EQA Provider: Ofqual

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Employers involved in creating the standard: Hull Tigers , Premier League, Rugby Football Union, Rugby Football League, Widnes Vikings, England and Wales Cricket Board, City Football Group, Leicester City FC, Charlton Athletic FC, Portsmouth FC, Derby County FC, Sheffield Wednesday FC, League Football Education, British Racing School,

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date Latest end date
1.1 End-point assessment and funding band revised 17/11/2022 Not set Not set
1.0 Approved for delivery 07/05/2019 16/11/2022 Not set

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