November 8, 2024

The British Elite Athletes Association – Empowering athletes and helping them feel equipped to embrace life on and off the field of play with confidence

No.6: October 2024
Guest author: Alice Dearing

Alice Dearing made history in 2021 as the first black woman to swim for Great Britain at the Olympic Games, a landmark moment for diversity in UK aquatics. A skilled marathon swimmer and former world and European junior champion, Dearing combines her sporting achievements with a commitment to inclusivity in swimming.

Dearing co-founded the Black Swimming Association, a charity focused on improving water safety and access to swimming for black and Asian communities. Her work has been widely recognised; she was named Sunday Times Changemaker of the Year in 2022 and ranked third on the BBC Woman’s Hour Power List in 2023.

Away from the pool, Dearing is an avid gamer and serves on the British Esports Federation Advisory Board. She is also a British Elite Athletes Association ambassador and won the Kick It Out Sports Journalist of the Year Award in 2022 for her advocacy of equality in sport.

The BEAA recently published its 2023-2024 review, which reflects on its support of athletes in the 18-month build-up to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the weeks immediately after. In this context, and in recognition of its work in helping athletes voice their needs, aspirations and concerns in an often high-pressured sporting ecosystem, the BEAA is JTA Communicator of the Month.

Great Britain as a nation has grown to expect a lot from its athletes in both Olympic and Paralympic sport. And rightfully so; we have a historic legacy at the summer Olympic Games, with Team GB being the only nation in the world to win a gold medal at every edition of the modern Games. From the widely celebrated Olympic Games London 2012, which was chaired by one of Britain’s most celebrated sportsmen, Seb Coe, to the recent Olympic Games Paris 2024, we continue to see the sporting prowess of Great Britain.

But behind every medal and alongside athletes’ motivation, there is often a high-pressure journey and an often daunting transition to life beyond the field of play once an athlete’s competitive career comes to an end. The British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA), founded in 2004 by athletes for athletes, is a critical support system that guides and empowers athletes, past and present. The BEAA, whilst supporting athletes across several aspects, is indirectly an exemplary communicator itself, helping athletes voice their needs, aspirations and concerns. The organisation often advises athletes on how to navigate the world of elite sports and the challenges of transitioning beyond it.

As an independent organisation, the BEAA is free from external agendas of other organisations, enabling athletes to communicate openly and honestly. It does however collaborate with UK Sport and the UK Sports Institute to amplify athletes’ voices, represent their interests and provide essential resources. This structure allows the BEAA to bridge communication gaps that often exist between athletes and the larger sports establishment, empowering athletes to advocate for themselves and engage in conversations regarding their careers and futures.

During the Paris 2024 cycle, one in eight athletes on the UK Sport/UK Lottery’s funded World Class Programme (WCP) benefitted directly from BEAA support, and almost all (97%) recommended its services.

A standout feature of the BEAA is its support around career transition, particularly important for athletes whose time in competition may be short. My competitive swimming career started when I was eight and ended when I was 26. I claim that I had an 18-year-long career, but, for most of it, it wasn’t a career, it was an activity I did before school, after school and at weekends. If we actually apply the definition of a “career” to my swimming journey, it was anywhere from two to four years long. And at the age of 26 I was seen as an “old” swimmer.

My point is that Olympians and Paralympians have small windows of opportunity to create a career out of sport. Yet, in a recent survey conducted by the BEAA, only 40% of athletes felt prepared to step away from their sport. It’s a controversial discussion, as the expectation from some is to focus on your sport and sort out next steps once you have finished competing.

I personally believe in a proactive approach in helping athletes get skills and experience in areas they are interested in so they can transfer their purpose when they stop competition.

This is where the BEAA is invaluable.

Through workshops, online resources and community events, the BEAA promotes a culture of open dialogue that encourages athletes to identify their goals and prepare early for life after competition.

The wider sporting system, in which the BEAA is one supportive body, also instils athletes with skills for effective self-advocacy and networking. The UK Sports Institute’s Performance Lifestyle coaches assist athletes with CV-building, time management and career coaching, all the while encouraging them to explore passions outside of their sport. Moreover, programmes like UK Sport’s Personal Development Awards offer financial support for training in athletes’ areas of interest, giving athletes a platform to develop new skills and connect with professionals across various sectors. Through this, athletes are given more opportunities to communicate their skills and interests.

It is opportunities like these that can make someone feel more prepared and the steps away from sport less daunting.

As the cycle for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comes to a close, the BEAA continues to work hard to reach and support athletes with their services. By championing self-advocacy and professional development, the BEAA ensures that British athletes aren’t just prepared for competition but are equally equipped to navigate their next chapters. Looking towards the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028, I hope that more athletes utilise the BEAA’s services to help their voices be heard and valued, on and off the field of play.

Picture credit: British Elite Athletes Association