Being successful in sport is not just about physical conditioning, technical, tactical and mental skills. Success brings with it a responsibility to be professional in all aspects of life. How athletes spend their leisure time, communicate with the media and others and plan a career after sport, all influence the reputation and eventual success of those athletes. It is important to examines aspects of the athletes’ lifestyle, as well as duties that they will have to undertake as part of their professional role in sport, for example, public appearances and media interviews.

Successful athletes are in the limelight and all aspects of their lives are subject to media scrutiny, look at the famous Kevin Keegan “I will love it if we beat them!” rant and Eric Cantona press conference following his kung fu kick at an abusive fan, “when the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because the think sardines will be thrown into the sea.“

Is the behavior below how athlete’s should be conducting themselves to fans? more recently Dereck Chisora brawls with David Haye at Klitschko vs Chisora post-fight press conference show all over the world, was this a good image for the uk?

This section aims to develop knowledge and understanding of lifestyle and public image and should be considered core in developing learners’ knowledge of the holistic nature of performance and excellence. Athletes have a realistic potential to achieve excellence in their sport or individuals who want to work with elite athletes, for example in a coaching role.

There are a range of lifestyle factors that can affect an athlete both within and outside the sport, including leisure time, peer group and other pressures and financial issues. We need to consider appropriate behaviour for an athlete in both sporting and non-sporting situations. Management and coping strategies should be examined, and communication with both the media and significant others explored in order for the athelte to up hold their image as a role model not just for them but their sport and country.

Thanks,

Hi everyone,

Most people don’t value health & safety sadly till it’s too late! Being a former General Manager of a large sports complex, I can’t stress how important it is for everyone working from assist coach to manager understanding the legislation’s and some common sense.

It is more important than ever to make sure all risks are minimalised prior to sports participation, I am along with others going to be writing articles and uploading some video scenarios to help everyone promote a culture of health and safety in sport, health and fitness. Legislation created by the British and European parliaments, and administered by the Health and Safety Executive, aims to improve health and safety in all sectors, including sport (I know some people don’t always agree with this and often cite the term RED TAPE but its done for a reason. This system places a responsibility on everyone in society to have a ‘duty of care’ to everyone else. As sports leaders this will be defined as ‘higher duty of care’ which is based upon experienced and knowledgeable leaders being able to foresee potential hazards and incidents.

The consequence of sports leaders failing in their duty of care is the charge of ‘negligence’ being brought against them through the civil courts. It is therefore important that learners understand the issues and how they affect them when working in the sports industry.There have been several serious incidents in sporting situations where life-threatening and life-changing injuries have occurred, or people have lost their lives. It is important to stress that health and safety should be a priority for all those who work in the sector, with the aim of reducing incidents and making the sector safer for participants.

Posts, videos and interactive sessions will develop readers’ awareness of the importance of health and safety legislation, regulations and legal responsibilities of all those working in sporting situations.

Thanks,